Works Complete Faith?

Luk 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Act 13:39
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses

My concern is for people who refuse to acknowledge their sin despite being chastised for it.

Good point. If one reads Romans 2:5-11 in isolation from the rest of the book of Romans, one might conclude that Paul was teaching salvation by works. However, as you read and study these passages, it’s critical to keep in mind that these verses do not describe how one becomes saved, but the way the saved conduct their lives. These works done are the result of, not the means or basis of receiving eternal life.

So patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality; (vs. 7) is not at all set forth as the means of their procuring eternal life, but as a description of those to whom God does render life eternal.

*Notice that ALL who receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved. Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath.

*Notice that ALL who do not receive eternal life are described as such, everyone who does evil (vs. 9). What those passages convey is that though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means by which we receive eternal life, but the type of deeds expose our hearts.

These good deeds done out of faith are the fruit, but not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have clearly stated that we are saved through faith and works in Ephesians 2:8 and that we are justified by faith and works in Romans 5:1 but that is clearly NOT what Paul said. *Also see (Romans 3:24-28; 4:4-6; 11:6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..).

Acts 20:28 - Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

We need to always watch out for such folks. I've been a member of multiple Christian forum sites for over 10 years now and it's not uncommon to run into such folks.

In the content below, isn't the "faith" referred to not with reference to "the finished work of Christ"--isn't "faith", here, something more akin to a Holy Spirit-granted conviction of what is right or wrong? Doesn't it describe instances of how we "serve in newness of spirit, not in oldness of the letter"? Isn't it a warning that if we choose to ignore those convictions, we will not be "justified" but "condemned" (the two being adjudications the Judge may make about one's life)?

If so, then James and Paul are saying the same thing: as Christians, we will live (be justified by the righteousness of serving in the newness of the Spirit, and, ultimately, "repaid" eternal life Ro 2:6-16) if we walk after the Spirit, but will die (be condemned for unrighteousness, and, ultimately, perish) if we walk after the flesh?


Romans 14
5Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind...
23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

James 2
14What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can [j]that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, [k]be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is [l]dead, being by itself.
18But someone [m]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19You believe that [n]God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? 21Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was working with his works, and [o]as a result of the works, faith was [p]perfected; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25In the same way, was Rahab, the prostitute, not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

"I can't defend my position, here, when everyone is looking, but, trust me, guys, he is wrong... here, just listen to this other guy saying things. It's there, I swear!"

Chronister vs you. Is there any doubt about who will prevail?

I'm not exactly sure of your point/question. Works do complete faith, that's what the bible tell us.
Yes, Paul and James are in total agreement. When we look at a judgement scene, like in Matt. 25, their eternal destiny is determined by what they did or did not do. Which is in agreement with many scriptures, not just James.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

The "finished work of Jesus" confuses me. I have never read in God's word where a single NT writer tells us about the "finished work", I only hear it from man.

Chronister vs you. Is there any doubt about who will prevail?

My .02
I'm sorry but the "finished work" of Jesus is a doctrine of man. I have never read in God's word any apostle or NT writer telling us about the "finished work" of Christ. If it's there, please point it out. It's not uncommon for man to take one verse out of context and build a false doctrine around it.

The bible says faith without works is dead. Period. Martin Luther said faith that saves will never be alone. Then faith alone doesn't save just as God's word tells us.

Having faith is not 0 or 100%. It can be strong, it can be weak and we can loose it.
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever How can you be worse than an unbeliever, a believer who is not doing what he should.

When we look at the judgement scene in Matt. 25, their eternal fate rests on if they did or did not.

When we look at the judgement scene in Matt. 25, their eternal fate rests on if they did or did not.

1. Lol I think they get that from Christ saying "it is finished"?

Paul tells the Corinthians to "test yourselves see if you are in the faith".

romans113336 said:
James 2
22You see that faith was working with his works, and [o]as a result of the works, faith was [p]perfected;

So this is what I am talking about -----your taking a piece of Scripture OUT OF CONTEXT AND WITH NO UNDERSTANDING OF IT __-you just assume that Deeds Complete Faith -----and you are so wrong ---

Now I don't expect you to understand this as you apparently have no Spiritual discernment ----but maybe others will benefit from the Scripture in Context -------

This is the Scripture -----in context -----James 2

I say -----
So we see here -------------If your claiming to be a TRUE CHRISTIAN --who has the Right Faith --- ---and you don't act ---then your a False christian -------and you cannot be Saved ------with this Faith -----you can do all the works you want but you are still a False christian ----hell bound -----your works mean nothing ----

James 2

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition.

14 What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]?

I say ---------Notice ---
it says ---for anyone profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]?-----

Works Show your Faith ----
No where here does it say Works complete Faith -------

if Works completed Faith then you could be saved by doing the works ----which completes your Faith ----which is wrong Doctrine ----it is backwards

View attachment 256339


verse
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,

16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?

17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).


I say -------The Right Faith will prompt the person to be obedient to God --------
So Works back up Faith --it says Nothing about Works Completing Faith


18 But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works.
Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.

I say ---------so we see there are 2 people here ---1 has faith the other has Good works --------Notice Good in brackets ------this says that this person is a true Christian ---and is in obedience to God so this person has the Right Faith -----and the obedience is SHOWING HIS FAITH -----

NOTHING ABOUT WORKS COMPLETING FAITH -

:-So by saying that works Complete Faith ---

Your Implying ----------that God's Word is imperfect in supplying His Right Faith in us to be saved and we must do works to complete our Faith --------which is Ridiculous -----No works are required to be saved -Faith is required as small as a mustard seed -----nothing about Works --------Our Faith is shown in this world by our GOOD WORKS ------

The Act of going church won't Perfect your Faith to be saved -----

There is not one Scripture that says Works COMPLETES Faith ------so far in this Scripture


19 You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as [a]make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!

20 Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless?


The next 2 verses here go together

21 Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be] justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac?

22 You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.

I say ---So you see here --verses 21 and 22 go together ----Faith and Works were cooperating with together ----as the right faith requires a Positive response --------Abraham had already Faith in God and trusted God enough to be obedient to take his son Isaac and do as God said -----by Abraham's obedience He was Showing His Faith in God -------

Posting a couple of scriptures from other Bibles to show you the truth ------verse 22

Berean Standard Bible
22-You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
22 You see that Abraham's faith and what he did worked together. His faith was shown to be genuine by what he did.

23 And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend.

24 You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].

I say
Posting from AmpBible verse 24 ------to show you that the act of obedience REVEALS Faith ------Nothing about completing it ------REVEALS it -----

Amplified Bible
You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith].

I say --------if works perfect Faith as you say ---then it did nothing for this person -----as she had the wrong Faith and no works could save her ------

25 So also with Rahab the harlot—was she not shown to be justified (pronounced righteous before God) by [good] deeds when she took in the scouts (spies) and sent them away by a different route?

26 For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead.


Better read Hebrews 11 ----all of it ----By Faith ----these people obeyed ------Faith

Faith in Action ------
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country;

11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise.

NOTHING HERE SAYING ___WORKS PERFECTED THEIR FAITH ------God faith is perfect -already ----works accompany God's Faith --------Works show our perfected Faith -----

James 2
22You see that faith was working with his works, and [o]as a result of the works, faith was [p]perfected;

"perfected": ἐτελειώθη
(a) as a course, a race, or the like: I complete, finish
(b) as of time or prediction: I accomplish, (c) I make perfect; pass: I am perfected

With respect to "(a)": Paul calls faith a "race" (eg, 1 Co 9:24-27; Gal 5:7; 2 Ti 4:7).

Other instances of this word's usage.

So, here, in your denial of this explicit Christian doctrine, you are erring.


I've already addressed this error of yours many times--you are free to produce a reply when you are ready.

Yes, out of context and have to add the word work. I'm not aware of anywhere in scripture the teaching of Jesus' "finished work".

Well, I don't believe that lol

If you read the thread, you will know what my view is.

Ephesians 2:5 says,

"... by grace YE ARE HAVING BEEN SAVED [perfect participle]"




Are you one who says (things like) we aren't [yet] "saved" till the end (like, when we die...); applying "salvation" words in such a way??
I can't remember in this thread whether you've suggested such, or not (and I'm having trouble keeping up with the fast pace of this thread... I gotta eat and sleep SOMEtimes! lol)