Saving Faith in Christ is not Faith Alone in Christ
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You can die with dead faith but not of it being the cause. James defines dead faith as being faith without works. The opposite would be living faith because it has works. A true faith would be living. A living tree bears fruit. A dead tree does not. Either way the fruit is not what saves the tree. The root system is where the life comes from. Just as our faith in Christ. One with a true or living faith will bear fruit. Their faith in Christ(the root of their works) is the only thing that can save them.
True faith produces fruit and one strives for perfection while also humbling themselves by knowing they will never be perfect in this life. If one believes himself to be perfect then he is self righteous. Only God, the only one good, can assess us and say we are perfect. He’s the One that sets the standard for perfection. He is the One that judges and decides who is perfect. The Father sees His Son as perfect which is why we must be in Christ to be acceptable to the Father.
This is a false dicodomy. It is common for people who preach false doctrine to view people who disagree with their doctrine as disagreeing with the Bible. They see their view as being the only correct view and refuse to consider evidence that challenges their view.
It is ok with me for you to attack those who adhere to "faith alone", whatever that means. But your accusations that I am one of them and that I use it to justify sin are unfounded and presumptuous. Your judgements reveal a judgemental attitude, and it would be wise for you to consider that God will measure you by the same measuring stick that you use against others (Matt 7:1-2). As a practical matter, this means that you are more than likely experiencing more of a sense of guiltiness and insecurity than you are heaping on others.
It's actually saying the opposite. Walking in the light is what iluminates our understanding that we continue to be wholey dependent on God's mercy for the sinfulness of the flesh and that we receive it when we acknowledge the sins and sinfulness that come from our flesh.
Your objection to faith alone seems to be rejection of salvation by grace through faith in favor of salvation by works of righteousness which must be done. This is a common view, unfortunately, but the wrinkle here is that your version seems to allow for no sins whatsoever. It is hard to understand why anyone would adopt that standard for themselves unless they are deceived about their own sins.
Well said. The simplicity of Christ is the simplicity of His words.
Having faith in Jesus Christ alone, rather than ourselves or another god, is far different from having Faith Alone in Christ.
The former only produces good works, and the latter is vainly separated from any works, including evil.
Having justification by Faith Alone apart from what we are doing, is setting our lives umoored and afloat to do whatever the body will.
Heb 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
I still find it unfathomable how anyone can read a Book, profess believing it's words, and then declare the opposite: Faith Alone without works is good to save, vs the Book plainly saying that any faith alone without works is dead and cannot save...
When simple grammar alone can't convince the reader, then the reader is not taking the Author's words seriously. Only by taking Christ at His word, can we possibly do His word with a clear conscience and honest heart of faith.
Yes but one must also walk that way to be saved at all. So, unless you are advocating for salvation with evil works, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
It's not by accident that some people insist on preaching Faith Alone in Christ, and not faith in Jesus Christ alone.
It's not Jesus Christ they're trusting in to do good and not evil, but their Faith Alone in Christ to justify them while doing good and evil...
When anyone preaching justification by Faith Alone in Christ, acknowledges that it includes while doing an evil work, then I'll at least applaud their honesty, if not their gospel.
What? All have sinned, have you not heard? Rom.3:23 You were not doing good works before you were saved, you were God's enemy living according to what you thought was right but there is a way that seems right to a man. Prov.14:12
One must believe in Christ to to saved, specifically that He died for our sin and rose again. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation not doing good works so God will save you because you deserve it.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Unless you a advocating a salvation that does not occur until the Resurrection and God's seal is irrelevant, then good works got no-one saved.
This is you taking their words out of context is it? Are you simply interpreting what they say to suit your agenda? Everyone I know who says "faith alone" is referring to the argument of "faith plus works" for salvation but you want to say they really mean faith in someone or thing other than Christ?
Ok. If that is what you think they are arguing, I have no more to say to you. Salvation is found in Christ alone.
At a glance, it looks like this is an actual response to the Scriptures and argument given, which is rare. But even better it appears to be a closer look at the Scriptures for a different conclusion. Which is great if true.
As in being out of context. No offense taken. All Scripture should be taught within context, and not isolated on it's own.
In any case, I'm not sure where you're coming from here, but if you mean Jesus's faith must be excluded from 2:19, because that belief in the one true God, is not the same belief of Abraham toward God, then that falsely isolates 2:19 out of context.
The faith in James 2 is that of Jesus and God from beginning to end, if not spoken in every verse:
Jas 2:1
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Is "Jesus" in 2:1 also 'not in' Abraham's faith in 2:23, because Jesus is only spoken of in the first verse?
Are you saying that the faith of our Lord Jesus in 2:1, and believing God as Abraham in 2:23, is not the same as beleiving in the one true God?
Jas 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Is this simply an effort to separate the faith in 2:19, from the saving faith of our Lord, and justifying belief of Abraham in God? In that way, works have no place in 2:19, as with the faith and works of Abraham?
Two things:
1. Beleiving in the true God is the one same faith of our Lord, and Abraham's faith toward God:
Eph 4:2
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Neither Jesus nor Abraham's faith toward God can be excluded from James 2:19, since beleiving in the one true God is the beginning of faith in Jesus Christ.
Gal 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
2. Even as Jesus and His faith are the same throughout James 2:19, so also are works and salvation, if not spoken in every verse:
Jas 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James{2:22}
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
There is no separation between the faith in 2:19, from the faith in James 2. Neither "Jesus" nor "works" can be contextually excluded from any verse therein.
Thou believest that there is one God, then do well: for the devils also believe, and tremble for doing evil.
As in being out of context. No offense taken. All Scripture should be taught within context, and not isolated on it's own.
An accurate quote from another's argument, rather than rearranging it into something else. Rare again, thanks.
No sure how, since the verse is, as you say, quoted within the context of works, not just faith alone.
Running with Jesus in a verse of Scripture is mute?? Seriously? How can anyone not 'run' with Jesus in any verse of Scripture in the Bible? Should we not run with the Jesus of Rev 22:21 in Gen 1:1?
In any case, I'm not sure where you're coming from here, but if you mean Jesus's faith must be excluded from 2:19, because that belief in the one true God, is not the same belief of Abraham toward God, then that falsely isolates 2:19 out of context.
The faith in James 2 is that of Jesus and God from beginning to end, if not spoken in every verse:
Jas 2:1
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Is "Jesus" in 2:1 also 'not in' Abraham's faith in 2:23, because Jesus is only spoken of in the first verse?
Are you saying that the faith of our Lord Jesus in 2:1, and believing God as Abraham in 2:23, is not the same as beleiving in the one true God?
Jas 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Is this simply an effort to separate the faith in 2:19, from the saving faith of our Lord, and justifying belief of Abraham in God? In that way, works have no place in 2:19, as with the faith and works of Abraham?
Two things:
1. Beleiving in the true God is the one same faith of our Lord, and Abraham's faith toward God:
Eph 4:2
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Neither Jesus nor Abraham's faith toward God can be excluded from James 2:19, since beleiving in the one true God is the beginning of faith in Jesus Christ.
Gal 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
2. Even as Jesus and His faith are the same throughout James 2:19, so also are works and salvation, if not spoken in every verse:
Jas 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James{2:22}
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
There is no separation between the faith in 2:19, from the faith in James 2. Neither "Jesus" nor "works" can be contextually excluded from any verse therein.
Thou believest that there is one God, then do well: for the devils also believe, and tremble for doing evil.
False. They do and confess it.
Mar 5:7
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
You don't think the devil and his fallen angels know who Jesus Christ is?
The faith in God of 2:19, that many people have, is the same faith in 2:19 that all angels have, including the devils. That common faith alone in God does not justify the believer, any more than the devils.
True, but the faith in 2:19 is not divided between men and devils. 2:19 is not saying that any man believing in God is saved, while any devil also believing, cannot be saved...
2:19 is saying exactly what it says: Men and devils believing the one true God, are believing the same one truth. That Faith Alone cannot save any man:
James{2:14}
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
No more than any devil that also believes, and cannot be saved at all.
Justification is only for man that does the faith of our Lord and Abraham: Now the just shall live by faith:
It is written in God's word, that the devils also believe, and that devils do evil works.
No verse of Scripture is isolated from the rest of Scripture.
Rom 3:25
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (by grace) through faith in his blood... Is by grace also added to what is not written in God's word? Neither is and not evil wrongly added to God's word:
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God, (and not evil), abideth for ever.
Because they believe Jesus is the Son of God. And unlike some men that also believe, the devils believe His every word of judgment is true:
Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Gal 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man is sowing, that shall he also reap. For he that is sowing to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sowing to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting…For there is no respect of persons with God.
1 Peter {1:15}
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Romans 7 rebuke to Christian double heartedness, not Christian instruction on how to live double hearted for life.
Jas 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Luk 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Rev 3:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The final instruction for the double minded in the faith, is to repent and be delivered by our Lord Jesus.
Rom 7:24,
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jas 4:6
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Some believers use Romans 7 as a life time justification for their double hearts. even as they learn to give lip service to the Lord, while doing evil, they also learn to talk about how 'wretched' they are, and how they really 'hate' it when doing evil.
And yet, they never speak of repenting to be delivered from all their evil doing. And some even declare by their own double minded faith alone, that no man can only do good, and not any evil at all:
Psa 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
This is true for partially reformed religious sinners, who do less evil than before. But it's not true for the wholly transformed pure religion of Jesus Christ:
2Co 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Jas 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The new man and creature of Jesus Christ, is wholly new as the newborn babe, with all the old sins passed away, and all things are now of God, not of the devil.
1 Thess{5:22}
Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Peter {1:15}
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
So long as the old man of sin is not crucified for Christ's sake, then the new religious man is not born of Jesus Christ.
Mar 8:34
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Gal 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
So much for false holiness with sin, and faith plus evil works.
And, so much for only faith aloners calling their sins mistakes.
I met a Christian that plainly said he was a fornicator, and would fornicate again when he gets the chance. So, I asked him plainly about God's judgment against such things. Oh, he said, I know I'll be forgiven. I said, "At least you're honest about it."
So much for forgiveness of all sins past, present, and future, not being a license to sin.
Why would someone who says he "will sin again" want the blood of Jesus to cleanse him from sin?
.
I am today.
Mat 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
So you’re saying you’re perfectly unrighteous and always sinning?
Luk 20:2
And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
Tell me straight. Do you always sin? If you are not sinning, you are a hypocrite. If you say you are not sinning, you are a liar. Take your pick.
You have no idea as to what it means to be saved from sinning.
Only faith in Jesus Christ will save us and only faith in him will we remain in him peiod.
We are not our own we are willing slaves to Christ and so therefore our salvation and faith can only rest in him there is no other door no other path no other doctrine or understanding.
When you are on judgement day after being shown everything you have said and done what will your response be t that?
Think deeply before answering this to yourself because no matter what good and not evil things you have done none of that matters because only Jesus can justify you in that moment so if fiath in Jesus is all about doing good and not evil then we will fall short at all times no amount of righteous deeds will justify you on that day
We are not our own we are willing slaves to Christ and so therefore our salvation and faith can only rest in him there is no other door no other path no other doctrine or understanding.
When you are on judgement day after being shown everything you have said and done what will your response be t that?
Think deeply before answering this to yourself because no matter what good and not evil things you have done none of that matters because only Jesus can justify you in that moment so if fiath in Jesus is all about doing good and not evil then we will fall short at all times no amount of righteous deeds will justify you on that day