Faith and Salvation
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The example James offers serves to pragmatize the force of his statement. Let me explain.
James presents here two orders of behavior – faith and apathy. Each stand in direct contradiction to the other.
1. The first behavior is faith. Faith is a criteria for divine acceptability – The goal here is to pursue and achieve the approval of God is it not? James even offers Abraham as an example of how he obtained the approval of God when his faith was legitimized by his works. James goes on to show that our responses to human conditions determine the range and character of our faith. James says that faith is fundamentally linked to our thought, speech, and behavior. If faith is to be validated, it must be reflected in all three, but it begins in the mind.
a. This man's thoughts reveal apathy – He cares nothing for the needs of the brother.
b. His speech offers nothing but platitudes – “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled.”
c. His behavior is characterized by neglect – “You do not give them what is necessary for their body.”
2. The second behavior is apathy
We are not allowed to supply our own definitions and parameters to faith. God alone defines what he regards as acceptable faith and he alone establishes the parameters of faith. James defines biblical faith as a behavior that must be reflected in all three categories of human response of thought, speech, and behavior. For the apathetic person, faith exists in none of these categories of response. Even if faith was present in the thought process, it never extends beyond the boundaries of the mind. Therefore, his claim of faith is betrayed by his speech and behavior. Biblical faith cannot be defined through apathy. A claim of faith, is not faith. “If someone says he has faith but he has no works,” this person is deceived about the true nature of faith. Ignorance of this is fatal because as James says, this kind of faith cannot save him.
a. Apathy is a contradiction to faith. The two cannot co-exist in the same mind.
b. Apathy is contrary to love because it refuses to respond to a need.
c. Apathy has no compassion.
d. An apathetic faith is an oxymoron. It has no power to save.
e. Platitudes are not a substitute for action. They do nothing to fill the needs of the brother. What good are words? The man remains cold and hungry. Works are the substance of faith. Works legitimize faith while apathy exposes the lie. The claim of faith can only be legitimized by an active, beneficial response to a human need. The implication is that you have the means and the power to satisfy the brother's need yet, you do nothing. This contradicts one's claim of faith showing it to be invalid.
James brings proof of faith to the forefront as he offers two biblical precedents to demonstrate that proof of faith lies in an active response to what one claims to believe.
“But someone 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.' You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, youfoolishfellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified byworks when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
Faith that cannot be applied pragmatically is dead, useless, not just in the eyes of man but in the eyes of God. “As a result of the works, faith was perfected.” This has to be in the eyes of God since he alone determines the parameters of faith. This establishes the cause and effect of the maturing process of faith. It begins in the mind and culminates in one’s behavior.
James presents here two orders of behavior – faith and apathy. Each stand in direct contradiction to the other.
1. The first behavior is faith. Faith is a criteria for divine acceptability – The goal here is to pursue and achieve the approval of God is it not? James even offers Abraham as an example of how he obtained the approval of God when his faith was legitimized by his works. James goes on to show that our responses to human conditions determine the range and character of our faith. James says that faith is fundamentally linked to our thought, speech, and behavior. If faith is to be validated, it must be reflected in all three, but it begins in the mind.
a. This man's thoughts reveal apathy – He cares nothing for the needs of the brother.
b. His speech offers nothing but platitudes – “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled.”
c. His behavior is characterized by neglect – “You do not give them what is necessary for their body.”
2. The second behavior is apathy
We are not allowed to supply our own definitions and parameters to faith. God alone defines what he regards as acceptable faith and he alone establishes the parameters of faith. James defines biblical faith as a behavior that must be reflected in all three categories of human response of thought, speech, and behavior. For the apathetic person, faith exists in none of these categories of response. Even if faith was present in the thought process, it never extends beyond the boundaries of the mind. Therefore, his claim of faith is betrayed by his speech and behavior. Biblical faith cannot be defined through apathy. A claim of faith, is not faith. “If someone says he has faith but he has no works,” this person is deceived about the true nature of faith. Ignorance of this is fatal because as James says, this kind of faith cannot save him.
a. Apathy is a contradiction to faith. The two cannot co-exist in the same mind.
b. Apathy is contrary to love because it refuses to respond to a need.
c. Apathy has no compassion.
d. An apathetic faith is an oxymoron. It has no power to save.
e. Platitudes are not a substitute for action. They do nothing to fill the needs of the brother. What good are words? The man remains cold and hungry. Works are the substance of faith. Works legitimize faith while apathy exposes the lie. The claim of faith can only be legitimized by an active, beneficial response to a human need. The implication is that you have the means and the power to satisfy the brother's need yet, you do nothing. This contradicts one's claim of faith showing it to be invalid.
James brings proof of faith to the forefront as he offers two biblical precedents to demonstrate that proof of faith lies in an active response to what one claims to believe.
“But someone 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.' You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, youfoolishfellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified byworks when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
Faith that cannot be applied pragmatically is dead, useless, not just in the eyes of man but in the eyes of God. “As a result of the works, faith was perfected.” This has to be in the eyes of God since he alone determines the parameters of faith. This establishes the cause and effect of the maturing process of faith. It begins in the mind and culminates in one’s behavior.
By The Way,If man did not do works,how would man know they have faith?
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The believer is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Man's own individual faith is put into action after justification comes through belief in the cross. Man's individual faith waivers, but Christ's faith never waivers. Christ's faith was demonstrated by His obedience unto death, even the death of the cross. James is talking about a different kind of justification for the twelve tribes scattered during the upcoming tribulation period.
Paul and James do not contradict one another.
1. Paul tells us in Romans 3:28 that, “A man is justified by faith apart from the Law.”
2. James says, “If someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (This is a rhetorical question, the only answer to which is NO!) “You see that a man is justified byworks and not by faith alone.” How do we reconcile these two statements?
What we have to bear in mind is that Paul and James are talking about two entirely different laws. Paul says that justification did not reside within the Law of Moses. The reason a man is justified by faith apart from the Law is because justification was never a function of the Law of Moses. This was not the purpose of that Law. Once the law was violated at any point, the law could never make the violator righteous. The function of the Law of Moses was not to justify but to condemn the violator.
James confirms that justification does indeed reside within the perfect law of liberty. Justification is its function to those who are “doers of the word.”
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about exactly what constitutes faith within the Christian community. Faith is from the word πίστις which means 'to be persuaded.' The word is translated in the NT as both faith and belief and reflects two interlocking dynamics. The first is the mental acceptance to a set of facts. The second is the action that responds to that acceptance of a stated set of facts. Faith is the fundamental structure for salvation but faith is never represented in scripture as simply an intellectual exercise. Biblical faith is more than just a simple acknowledgement of a set of revealed truths. Faith is always presented in scripture as a behavior structure that actively responds to the word of God. Without obedience to the will of God and the word of God, there is no acknowledgement of faith from the Lord.
1. Paul tells us in Romans 3:28 that, “A man is justified by faith apart from the Law.”
2. James says, “If someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (This is a rhetorical question, the only answer to which is NO!) “You see that a man is justified byworks and not by faith alone.” How do we reconcile these two statements?
What we have to bear in mind is that Paul and James are talking about two entirely different laws. Paul says that justification did not reside within the Law of Moses. The reason a man is justified by faith apart from the Law is because justification was never a function of the Law of Moses. This was not the purpose of that Law. Once the law was violated at any point, the law could never make the violator righteous. The function of the Law of Moses was not to justify but to condemn the violator.
James confirms that justification does indeed reside within the perfect law of liberty. Justification is its function to those who are “doers of the word.”
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about exactly what constitutes faith within the Christian community. Faith is from the word πίστις which means 'to be persuaded.' The word is translated in the NT as both faith and belief and reflects two interlocking dynamics. The first is the mental acceptance to a set of facts. The second is the action that responds to that acceptance of a stated set of facts. Faith is the fundamental structure for salvation but faith is never represented in scripture as simply an intellectual exercise. Biblical faith is more than just a simple acknowledgement of a set of revealed truths. Faith is always presented in scripture as a behavior structure that actively responds to the word of God. Without obedience to the will of God and the word of God, there is no acknowledgement of faith from the Lord.
The truth is that it is our actions,and thoughts,that define who we are,which the Bible says however a person thinks,that is how they are,and to be carnally minded is death,but to be spiritual minded is life.
Some people say that once they receive the Spirit that they are every whit clean,and cannot change from the situation regardless of actions,or thoughts,but this is not true,for every time we sin,or engage in something not of God we are not clean until we get rid of it,and mean it,then we are clean.
Jesus said that what comes from a person is what is inside of them,their heart condition,and a good tree does not bring forth evil fruit,and an evil tree does not bring forth good fruit.
Love is the fulfilling of the law,but love does not think an evil thought,and does not rejoice in iniquity,but in the truth,and however a person thinks that is how they are,and everyone that names the name of Christ has to depart from iniquity,but Paul said not everybody has the knowledge of God,and he speaks that to their shame.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
A person that is led of the Spirit does not show any ways of the flesh,nary a one,because they hate sin,and do not want sin,and by the Spirit can abstain from sin,because they made the choice to do thusly.
Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Every time we sin we put ourselves in the postion of erring from the truth,being a sinner,and need to be converted,and if we hold unto sin then the blood of Christ cannot wash it away,for the blood of Christ will not wash away what we want to hold unto.
Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
If they say that when they receive the Spirit they are every whit clean,and actions,and thoughts,do not hinder that,for sin does not affect their relationship with God,then after they receive the Spirit they would never sin again,and would always show the characteristics of the Spirit,in which there is no fleshy ways there,and would do works flawlessly to perfection,in which they would not spend any time for what they want,but it would always be laboring for the kingdom of God,for that is how the Spirit would want it.
But if they say they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,then they are saying that they might sin,or are living in sin,so how are they every whit clean inside of them,for if that were true they would always be led of the Spirit,and would never sin again,for Jesus said what comes from your actions is what is inside of you,and your heart condition.
The Bible says no person calls Jesus,Lord,but by the Holy Ghost,and every person that says Jesus Christ is come in flesh is of God,and Jesus said to Peter when he called Him the Christ,the Son of the living God,that flesh and blood did not reveal that to him,but the Father.
Many are called,but few are chosen,and the Bible says that God wants all to be saved,and the Spirit and bride say,anybody can have that salvation.
Not everybody that says Jesus is Lord will dwell with Him,for many are called,but few are chosen,so many people say Jesus is Lord,but not all will dwell with Him.
The ones that said Lord,but could not dwell with Jesus,claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior,and did not deny Him as Lord and Savior,but Jesus said they were workers of iniquity.
The Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,and if a person does not continue in God's goodness will be cut off,like they were cut off in the Old Testament,and to obey is better than sacrifice.
We still have a choice after we are saved,and receive the Spirit,for if not then we would never sin again,so we have the responsibility to want to do right,for the Spirit will not twist out arm to live for God.
Many are called,but few are chosen.
The people that say we are chosen,and they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with Christ,why do they think they stand and can never falter,for how do they know they were chosen,because the ones that said Lord,but could not dwell with Jesus,did not deny Him as Lord and Savior,but they were workers of iniquity,and the Bible says that they have a form of godliness,but deny the power thereof,and are lovers of pleasures,worldliness,more than lovers of God.
If many are called,but few are chosen,and they think they are every whit clean,and can never falter,but say sin does not affect their relationship with God,that does not appear to be a good position to be in,for they will hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,when it is our actions,and thoughts,that make us who we are,and confessing Christ does not change that,for if we engage in sin after confessing Christ we jeopardize our relationship with Him until we get rid of it,and mean it,and God knows the heart.
What is inside you,your heart condition,is what will come forth in your actions,and thoughts,so how do they say they are every whit clean,when they receive the Spirit,for if that were true they would never sin again for that is all that would come out is the ways of the Spirit,in which there are no fleshy ways there,but they say they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,but then say they are every whit clean inside,which is a contradiction.
Summary.
It is obvious that they love the ways of the world,but want to believe they can never fall,and are always right with God,so that way if they do not feel like laboring for the kingdom,and spend time enjoying their wants,and lusts,they are alright,and if they want to engage in a little sinny sin sin,they are okay,that way they can believe they can enjoy the world,and fleshy pleasures,and money,and material things,and still obtain salvation.
Like the occultist that will interpret the Bible as such,and other religions will interpret the Bible according to their religions,and the prejudice according to their prejudism,and the Scientologist according to their belief that is not part of the Bible,and Christian Science,and the new age movement,and such,these people interpret according to liking the ways of the world.
Some people say that once they receive the Spirit that they are every whit clean,and cannot change from the situation regardless of actions,or thoughts,but this is not true,for every time we sin,or engage in something not of God we are not clean until we get rid of it,and mean it,then we are clean.
Jesus said that what comes from a person is what is inside of them,their heart condition,and a good tree does not bring forth evil fruit,and an evil tree does not bring forth good fruit.
Love is the fulfilling of the law,but love does not think an evil thought,and does not rejoice in iniquity,but in the truth,and however a person thinks that is how they are,and everyone that names the name of Christ has to depart from iniquity,but Paul said not everybody has the knowledge of God,and he speaks that to their shame.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
A person that is led of the Spirit does not show any ways of the flesh,nary a one,because they hate sin,and do not want sin,and by the Spirit can abstain from sin,because they made the choice to do thusly.
Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Every time we sin we put ourselves in the postion of erring from the truth,being a sinner,and need to be converted,and if we hold unto sin then the blood of Christ cannot wash it away,for the blood of Christ will not wash away what we want to hold unto.
Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
If they say that when they receive the Spirit they are every whit clean,and actions,and thoughts,do not hinder that,for sin does not affect their relationship with God,then after they receive the Spirit they would never sin again,and would always show the characteristics of the Spirit,in which there is no fleshy ways there,and would do works flawlessly to perfection,in which they would not spend any time for what they want,but it would always be laboring for the kingdom of God,for that is how the Spirit would want it.
But if they say they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,then they are saying that they might sin,or are living in sin,so how are they every whit clean inside of them,for if that were true they would always be led of the Spirit,and would never sin again,for Jesus said what comes from your actions is what is inside of you,and your heart condition.
The Bible says no person calls Jesus,Lord,but by the Holy Ghost,and every person that says Jesus Christ is come in flesh is of God,and Jesus said to Peter when he called Him the Christ,the Son of the living God,that flesh and blood did not reveal that to him,but the Father.
Many are called,but few are chosen,and the Bible says that God wants all to be saved,and the Spirit and bride say,anybody can have that salvation.
Not everybody that says Jesus is Lord will dwell with Him,for many are called,but few are chosen,so many people say Jesus is Lord,but not all will dwell with Him.
The ones that said Lord,but could not dwell with Jesus,claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior,and did not deny Him as Lord and Savior,but Jesus said they were workers of iniquity.
The Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,and if a person does not continue in God's goodness will be cut off,like they were cut off in the Old Testament,and to obey is better than sacrifice.
We still have a choice after we are saved,and receive the Spirit,for if not then we would never sin again,so we have the responsibility to want to do right,for the Spirit will not twist out arm to live for God.
Many are called,but few are chosen.
The people that say we are chosen,and they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with Christ,why do they think they stand and can never falter,for how do they know they were chosen,because the ones that said Lord,but could not dwell with Jesus,did not deny Him as Lord and Savior,but they were workers of iniquity,and the Bible says that they have a form of godliness,but deny the power thereof,and are lovers of pleasures,worldliness,more than lovers of God.
If many are called,but few are chosen,and they think they are every whit clean,and can never falter,but say sin does not affect their relationship with God,that does not appear to be a good position to be in,for they will hold unto sin thinking they are alright with God,when it is our actions,and thoughts,that make us who we are,and confessing Christ does not change that,for if we engage in sin after confessing Christ we jeopardize our relationship with Him until we get rid of it,and mean it,and God knows the heart.
What is inside you,your heart condition,is what will come forth in your actions,and thoughts,so how do they say they are every whit clean,when they receive the Spirit,for if that were true they would never sin again for that is all that would come out is the ways of the Spirit,in which there are no fleshy ways there,but they say they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,but then say they are every whit clean inside,which is a contradiction.
Summary.
It is obvious that they love the ways of the world,but want to believe they can never fall,and are always right with God,so that way if they do not feel like laboring for the kingdom,and spend time enjoying their wants,and lusts,they are alright,and if they want to engage in a little sinny sin sin,they are okay,that way they can believe they can enjoy the world,and fleshy pleasures,and money,and material things,and still obtain salvation.
Like the occultist that will interpret the Bible as such,and other religions will interpret the Bible according to their religions,and the prejudice according to their prejudism,and the Scientologist according to their belief that is not part of the Bible,and Christian Science,and the new age movement,and such,these people interpret according to liking the ways of the world.
Do you agree with what I said In post# 34 ,I was responding to your post#32
Paul wrote,Inspired by GOD
Romans 12:1-2
King James Version(KJV)
1.)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2.)And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
+++
Thats talking about the flesh,But GOD Is a SPIRIT,whosoever believes the WORD of GOD shall Inherit Eternal Life.
It is not important that man regard me as righteous. Man is not my judge. The presentation of our bodies as a living sacrifice is represented by the Burnt Offering sacrifices of the Law of Moses. Paul make a number of references to this sacrifice using this type of language. The concept behind this sacrifice is one of consecration. The Burnt offering represented all that I am and have is dedicated to the Lord as a sweet smelling savor for his good pleasure. Being conformed to the perfect will of God begins in the mind but is not confined to the mind. Our whole being must be conformed to the will of God. This means out thought, speech, and behavior. Yes, God is Spirit and as such, our worship, which is the conduct of our lives, must be offered to God according to the standard of spirit and truth.