Just a Thought.
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If I may, the example that James uses is not where Abraham was credited for righteousness, but it was years earlier before Isaac was born that God credited him with righteousness and that because Abraham believed God's promise of giving him a son in his and Sarah's old age. I believe that James had a chip on his shoulder regarding Paul, which is why James says, "you say you have faith without works, but I'll show you my faith by my works." Scripture is very clear that we are saved by grace through faith and this not of our own doing, it is the gift of God, not by works.
"Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
A good example of salvation by faith and faith alone, would be when Cornelius and his household were saved, for God purified their hearts by what they believed, without any works.
"Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
A good example of salvation by faith and faith alone, would be when Cornelius and his household were saved, for God purified their hearts by what they believed, without any works.
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G
No.If we stay a babe in Christ all of our lives and never learn His problem solving devices or doctrines.........we have no saving works from our temporal problems.
Not understanding this passage and thinking that James is talking about Eternal salvation and not temporal salvation from our problems in this world denies the believer the FIRST and foremost problem solving device.......FAITH REST or Eternal security for the believer.
Faith rest or eternal security is KEY in growing in Christ and having a relaxed,stable and secure mental attitude.
If I stay a babe in Christ and do not grow in grace and knowledge. Do I have His armor and mind to SAVE me from the deceptions and the problems of this world?........NO. But I am eternal secure in the new creation created IN Christ.
Not understanding this passage and thinking that James is talking about Eternal salvation and not temporal salvation from our problems in this world denies the believer the FIRST and foremost problem solving device.......FAITH REST or Eternal security for the believer.
Faith rest or eternal security is KEY in growing in Christ and having a relaxed,stable and secure mental attitude.
If I stay a babe in Christ and do not grow in grace and knowledge. Do I have His armor and mind to SAVE me from the deceptions and the problems of this world?........NO. But I am eternal secure in the new creation created IN Christ.
I
I have a thought. How much should churches be responsible for. There is a big convention center in our area that puts on a Chritmas feed every year. A lot of the people they show on television don't look needy, their just there for a freebie.
How should churches be able to determine if someone is in need and isn't on some sort of assistance already?
How should churches be able to determine if someone is in need and isn't on some sort of assistance already?
G
The real kicker?.......Most of those who just profess, do the "works" that most Christians love to SEE.
We need to check what we really believe(Acts 16:31), the "works" can be very deceptive.
New American Standard Bible
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'..............................I never knew you,depart from me.
We need to check what we really believe(Acts 16:31), the "works" can be very deceptive.
New American Standard Bible
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'..............................I never knew you,depart from me.
B
Works are not about proving faith.
Who would you prove it to.
God knows your heart already so there is no need.
Other people aren't supposed to judge you and if you're doing works you're supposed to be discreet about them anyway, so ideally nobody would even know about the works.
But faith without works are still dead so works remain necessary.
It's not about proving anything though.
Who would you prove it to.
God knows your heart already so there is no need.
Other people aren't supposed to judge you and if you're doing works you're supposed to be discreet about them anyway, so ideally nobody would even know about the works.
But faith without works are still dead so works remain necessary.
It's not about proving anything though.
B
The thief on the cross is the example of one prevented from works. A guy on his deathbed, saved 60 seconds before death is a modern world example. In those cases, one is saved without works, assuming his initial faith was strong enough that works would have been forthcoming. Otherwise their faith was dead.
Works are still necessary for a faith to be alive though whenever works ARE possible. Yes there are people who cannot do works. There are also people who would say they can't but then spend 20 hours a week in front of a TV. There are others who do the most minimal works possible and there are those who make too much of doing too many works for all the wrong reasons. God judges this stuff accordingly.
Fallen human beings can err all over the place with works, but they are still necessary.
Works are still necessary for a faith to be alive though whenever works ARE possible. Yes there are people who cannot do works. There are also people who would say they can't but then spend 20 hours a week in front of a TV. There are others who do the most minimal works possible and there are those who make too much of doing too many works for all the wrong reasons. God judges this stuff accordingly.
Fallen human beings can err all over the place with works, but they are still necessary.
That's exactly what James is saying in chapter 2.
A person can say they are a christian but does saying it cause them to be saved?
This is the very moment of Christianity and Salvation;
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
It takes faith to come to the Lord Jesus and ask for anything, really.
After you have received from Him it is probably impossible to not share with the brethren what you have received... whether they believe it or not...
A person can say they are a christian but does saying it cause them to be saved?
This is the very moment of Christianity and Salvation;
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
It takes faith to come to the Lord Jesus and ask for anything, really.
After you have received from Him it is probably impossible to not share with the brethren what you have received... whether they believe it or not...
G
"Lack the means to do works"........This is key Utah. Most Christians lack doctrine, thus lack the means to produce DIVINE good. They have HUMAN good(dung), but no DIVINE good.
Our works are our mental attitude and motivation. Abraham didn't actually "do the deed" it was his mental attitude and motivation that was acceptable. Works are the "why?" and not the "what?" that is key.
Even if we lack the resources to do an "overt" work and can't get it done, it is counted as a divine work if our motives were pure. Men can't see it, but God can.
If we just had the historical account of Abraham bringing Isaac up to sacrifice to the Lord and didn't have the biblical account........we would all say Abraham failed. He didn't "do the deed." But God gives us his(Abrahams) mental attitude and motivations.
Our works are our mental attitude and motivation. Abraham didn't actually "do the deed" it was his mental attitude and motivation that was acceptable. Works are the "why?" and not the "what?" that is key.
Even if we lack the resources to do an "overt" work and can't get it done, it is counted as a divine work if our motives were pure. Men can't see it, but God can.
If we just had the historical account of Abraham bringing Isaac up to sacrifice to the Lord and didn't have the biblical account........we would all say Abraham failed. He didn't "do the deed." But God gives us his(Abrahams) mental attitude and motivations.
What difference does it make which example James is using? The same principle stands. James is not at all at odds with Paul. They are not even talking about the same thing. James is talking about obedience. Paul is talking about being saved by faith as apposed to the keeping of the Mosaic law. "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace."
The faithfulness of Abraham is further illustrated by the Hebrew writer in three different examples not just one.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise."..."By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...?
It was the obedience of Abraham in that he did what God told him to do in each of these examples that proved his faith. It was by his obedience to the will of God that Gad regarded him as righteousness.
The faithfulness of Abraham is further illustrated by the Hebrew writer in three different examples not just one.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise."..."By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...?
It was the obedience of Abraham in that he did what God told him to do in each of these examples that proved his faith. It was by his obedience to the will of God that Gad regarded him as righteousness.
Php 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
this could be stated...
(13) It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(12) Therefore, ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Salvation is something we already have and God is working in us to mold us and shape us into His image.
this could be stated...
(13) It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(12) Therefore, ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Salvation is something we already have and God is working in us to mold us and shape us into His image.
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