Faith ALONE, where is it?

[MadebyHim]

After being told not to stick anything in ear but elbow for years, always wondering why. Then one grows up and want to use q-tip themselves. It takes faith to do that work for some, when they are told they may puncture eardrum all their life.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Amen! There is certainly a difference between James - empty profession of faith/death faith that remains "alone" (barren of works - James 2:14) and Paul - salvation through faith (rightly understood) in Christ "alone" for salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9). We are saved the moment that we place our faith (belief, trust, reliance) in Christ "alone" for salvation. This kind of faith does not remain alone "barren of works" because it's a living faith (Ephesians 2:5-10) not a dead faith (James 2:20).

Amen, Faith is not mere belief, Even demons believe yet tremble as james said.

Faith just does not agree, it trusts, thus it does.. I can believe in God all day long, but if I do not trust him, my belief has no power and it will not work.. It may ACT like it works for a time, but it will always end up failing,, "the dog returns to his vomit"

 

[Grace777x70]

Jesus and the Jews always referred to those that were not part of salvation as in the commonwealth of Israel as "dogs". Gentiles were called "dogs", Gentiles were always referred to those that were "outside" of God's salvation.

When Peter is talking about a "dog" - he is referring to a non-believer even though he knows the way - he doesn't receive Christ. There is a difference between receiving the "knowledge" of the truth and receiving the truth - which is Christ Himself.

Dogs are not called Christians who have believed on Christ when they heard the message of Him. Eph. 1:13

 

[mailmandan]

Amen, Faith is not mere belief, Even demons believe yet tremble as james said.

Faith just does not agree, it trusts, thus it does.. I can believe in God all day long, but if I do not trust him, my belief has no power and it will not work.. It may ACT like it works for a time, but it will always end up failing,, "the dog returns to his vomit"

Amen! The word "believe" can describe mere mental assent belief, as in James 2:19, or also include "trust and reliance" in Christ for salvation, as in Acts 16:31. In James 2:19, nobody is questioning the fact that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God" but they do not believe/entrust their spiritual well being to Christ; have faith/reliance upon Christ for salvation. Their trust and reliance is in Satan, as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

 

[mailmandan]

Philippians 2:12-13New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

This verse puts more context on what Paul means in Philippines 1:6

He makes sure to say continue to obey and abide in the Lord who works in you.

Notice that Paul said work "out" your salvation, not work for your salvation. This is in regards to ongoing sanctification and not justification. It is God who works in believers to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. That verse shows that we are not passive in the pursuit of ongoing sanctification, yet it is God who works in us. We don't simply pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and do it all ourselves. Philippians 2:12-13 doesn't change the fact that He who has begun a good work in us (believers) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Continuing to obey and abide in the Lord is not forced or legalistic for genuine believers.

 

[mailmandan]

Also in context Philippines 1:6 was being spoken to THE church of philippi not specifically to us now today. But what we can take from this is the concept that if we are to do the same as these people then we can hold on to that confidence also.

Philippians 1:6 applies to ALL believers and is not simply limited to the church of philippi.

If we take this verse directly to us instead of in context then you might as well take this next verse out of context and apply it to you also.

Galatians 1:6-9New International Version (NIV)

No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

But this verse was also being spoken to specifically the church of galatia. We can learn from the concept. But to take it out of context is wrong.

We must be careful of what we can learn from the concept or what is being said to all in general.

The judaizers were good at perverting the gospel, but so are others as well. Especially those today who are mixed up in various false religions and cults.