Faith Alone?

[DiscipleDave]

When we are given examples of faith in scripture, it also talks of how faith is exercised.

Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice by faith.
Enoch was translated by faith.
Noah prepared the ark by faith.
Abraham went into a strange land by faith.
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau prophetically by faith.
Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph prophetically by faith.
Joseph prophesied of Israel’s departure from Egypt by faith.
Moses was hid as a baby by faith.
Moses kept the Passover by faith.
The Red Sea parted by faith.
The walls of Jericho fell by faith.
Rehab, the harlot, saved herself and her family by faith.
Gideon delivered Israel from the Midianites by faith.
Daniel stopped the mouths of lions by faith.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego quenched the violence of fire by faith.

When scripture was written in Hebrew so ancient it was in pictograph, the picture of faith was of an arm driving a nail in a wall. It was doing based on something as solid as a wall. We are told faith without works in dead.

Yet, I never hear of anyone talk about faith and doing together. I have only heard that it is faith alone. This would say that faith is to be applied to what we do in our life, that faith is to be used as the root of our actions.

Faith and Works go hand in hand, anyone who tells you differently does not know the TRUTH.
Those who believe only and have no works, they are dead
Those who do only works to get to Heaven, will never attain it.
Those who are Truly Saved, will have works that reveals what is in their hearts.

How can a person have LOVE (Jesus) inside of them, and not help the needy, give to the poor, cloth the naked, and the such? If LOVE is inside you, you will be full of good works because He lives inside of you. Many claim to LOVE Jesus, many claim to have Jesus in them, and they have no works at all, they are dead. If Jesus is in you, Your good works will be overflowing. Not because you have to do the good works, but because you truly desire to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Woe to this generation they say they are full of Faith, but their works are dead as can be. All these do, is take care of themselves and their own, they help nobody, they care for nobody, they visit nobody, they give to nobody. DEAD they are even if they are overflowing with Faith.

Know you not it is your works that prove who you serve? If your deeds are evil and wicked, that is what comes out of the treasures of your heart. If your deeds are good and holy, that is what comes out of the treasures of your heart.

Who have you helped lately?
Who have you gave to lately?

No not this generation, Just take care of me and my own is the philosophy today, lovers of self.

^i^

 

[John146]

All those listed in that Hebrews passage had to live by their faith demonstrated by their works. The believer today is justified by the faith of Christ and the work He did on the cross. Big difference!

Are we to be busy doing works of faith? Absolutely. Do these works prove anything?

Faith and Works go hand in hand, anyone who tells you differently does not know the TRUTH.
Those who believe only and have no works, they are dead
Those who do only works to get to Heaven, will never attain it.
Those who are Truly Saved, will have works that reveals what is in their hearts.

How can a person have LOVE (Jesus) inside of them, and not help the needy, give to the poor, cloth the naked, and the such? If LOVE is inside you, you will be full of good works because He lives inside of you. Many claim to LOVE Jesus, many claim to have Jesus in them, and they have no works at all, they are dead. If Jesus is in you, Your good works will be overflowing. Not because you have to do the good works, but because you truly desire to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Woe to this generation they say they are full of Faith, but their works are dead as can be. All these do, is take care of themselves and their own, they help nobody, they care for nobody, they visit nobody, they give to nobody. DEAD they are even if they are overflowing with Faith.

Know you not it is your works that prove who you serve? If your deeds are evil and wicked, that is what comes out of the treasures of your heart. If your deeds are good and holy, that is what comes out of the treasures of your heart.

Who have you helped lately?
Who have you gave to lately?

No not this generation, Just take care of me and my own is the philosophy today, lovers of self.

^i^

 

[seed_time_harvest]

James 2:14-26. Faith without works is dead!

John 3:16
King James Version(KJV)

16.)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
+++
Nothing there about works,I only see Faith.

GOD looks at the heart,man looks at the outward appearances.
If John 3:16 and James 2:17 don't harmonize then you,even though you didn't state It In words,you are implying that GOD is authoring confusion.

GOD does not need to see works when It comes To salvation,but If a persons faith Is true, they will do good physical works seen by men and this would be called conditional sanctification.
+++
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.
+++
Love GOD and love your neighbor.

Be blessed.

 

[John146]

In Genesis 15, Abraham can be used for our example of faith alone because Abraham was yet a Gentile and not under the circumcision covenant. So Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith alone.

In Genesis 17, the physical covenant takes place and he is now the first of God's physical people. That's why James can use Abraham as an example of faith plus works showing the works fulfilled in Genesis 22. James can use Abraham as an example to the Jews in the tribulation period where one will have the have faith and keep the commandments (plus denying the mark of the beast).

Abraham is used as a dual type.

 

[ggs7]

here is some scripture
Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Luk 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luk 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
Luk 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 

[ggs7]

here is some scripture
Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Luk 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luk 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
Luk 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Luk 17:7 But which of you who has a servant plowing or feeding will say to him immediately after he has come from the field, Come, recline?
Luk 17:8 Will he not say to him, Prepare something so that I may eat, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink. And afterward you shall eat and drink.
Luk 17:9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
Luk 17:10 So likewise you, when you shall have done all the things commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, for we have done what we ought to do.

 

[PeterJens]

But in their minds they still have the idea of them having to do something to maintain salvation.

It takes time to learn a language, a way of describing things in a meaningful way to match what is really going on.

So we are asked by the Lord to follow, to walk in purity and righteousness, because of who He is, because we are forgiven.
What we are doing by walking in this reality is showing what has happened, showing it is real, really real, not pretend, or it might be there, but it is there for eternity. If we do not walk this way, something is wrong.

Now imagine those who fail to walk after their Lord, there is something wrong. None of the disciples say what is wrong, just we will walk in obedience.

And those who are condemning those who reflect the exact words of the apostles are those not walking like this, but justifying their failure by redefining the plain words of the apostles. But imagine if they are right, and this version of grace faith is just flawed, justifying failure when there is no need, it is sin that is blinding them while being so close to the Kingdom but not walking in it, because sin has taken away the light.

 

[Hoffco]

The N.T. book of Hebrews was written to Christians and it used O.T. believers as an example of what a true Christian is. Both testament believers were saved the same way: by Grace, thru Faith unto Good Works. The lost Jews in the O.T. were lost because of their unbelief and disobedience. The N.T, believers are saved the same way as Abraham was, by faith and obedience. Hebrews is sooo clear, if we don't keep in Faith and Obedience, we will not be saved.!!

 

[John146]

This contradicts what the Apostle Paul taught. One needs to rightly divide the word of truth to avoiding getting doctrine crossed over into different dispensations. Paul is the apostle of the dispensation of the grace of God, the dispensation we currently live in.

The N.T. book of Hebrews was written to Christians and it used O.T. believers as an example of what a true Christian is. Both testament believers were saved the same way: by Grace, thru Faith unto Good Works. The lost Jews in the O.T. were lost because of their unbelief and disobedience. The N.T, believers are saved the same way as Abraham was, by faith and obedience. Hebrews is sooo clear, if we don't keep in Faith and Obedience, we will not be saved.!!

 

[PeterJens]

This contradicts what the Apostle Paul taught. One needs to rightly divide the word of truth to avoiding getting doctrine crossed over into different dispensations. Paul is the apostle of the dispensation of the grace of God, the dispensation we currently live in.

Do you accept purity and walking righteousness and love is the way of following Jesus?
If this has changed in your dispensations, then you have created a different faith.

 

[roaringkitten]

Do you accept purity and walking righteousness and love is the way of following Jesus?
If this has changed in your dispensations, then you have created a different faith.

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus 3:8

 

[John146]

One must understand that a believer in Jesus Christ is justified by Christ's faith and His works on the cross. The faith of Jesus Christ needs no perfecting. Believers are to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, I agree. But failure to do so only proves that believer is walking carnally as babe in Christ. This has a huge implications on his inheritance and rewards in eternity. Paul would even say about laboring for the Lord in 2 Corinthians 5:

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

[SUP]10 [/SUP]For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

[SUP]11[/SUP]Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Paul is not persuading men to be saved. Paul is persuading the believers to live right because of the judgment to come at the JSOC. Our labor will be judged according to whether it was good or bad. Inheritance and rewards will be handed out based on our labor. Those whose labor was no good and did not abide the fire will suffer loss.

Do you accept purity and walking righteousness and love is the way of following Jesus?
If this has changed in your dispensations, then you have created a different faith.

 

[PeterJens]

One must understand that a believer in Jesus Christ is justified by Christ's faith and His works on the cross. The faith of Jesus Christ needs no perfecting. Believers are to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, I agree. But failure to do so only proves that believer is walking carnally as babe in Christ. This has a huge implications on his inheritance and rewards in eternity. Paul would even say about laboring for the Lord in 2 Corinthians 5:

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

[SUP]10 [/SUP]For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

[SUP]11[/SUP]Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Paul is not persuading men to be saved. Paul is persuading the believers to live right because of the judgment to come at the JSOC. Our labor will be judged according to whether it was good or bad. Inheritance and rewards will be handed out based on our labor. Those whose labor was no good and did not abide the fire will suffer loss.

This was actually a very long answer to imply how you walk following Jesus does not matter, except how you will be rewarded in heaven.

I was actually not asking theology but where your heart is. Is this difficult to answer or you heart does not work on the basis of how you behave and what you want to do maybe?

 

[John146]

Yes, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh is following Jesus Christ. But it is no proof to Jesus that you are His. The proof is the Holy Spirit that He gave a believer at the moment of belief.

The dispensational change took place after the death of the testator when Christ's faith was made available to all those that believe the gospel of His death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Before that, man live by his own faith and not by the faith of Christ.

This was actually a very long answer to imply how you walk following Jesus does not matter, except how you will be rewarded in heaven.

I was actually not asking theology but where your heart is. Is this difficult to answer or you heart does not work on the basis of how you behave and what you want to do maybe?

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Yes, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh is following Jesus Christ. But it is no proof to Jesus that you are His. The proof is the Holy Spirit that He gave a believer at the moment of belief.

The dispensational change took place after the death of the testator when Christ's faith was made available to all those that believe the gospel of His death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Before that, man live by his own faith and not by the faith of Christ.

GOD gave the holy spirit to King Saul, but that didn't prove he was of GOD. His disobedience proved who he served. And so it is with all people.

 

[John146]

GOD gave the holy spirit to King Saul, but that didn't prove he was of GOD. His disobedience proved who he served. And so it is with all people.

Again, there was no sealing of the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection of Christ. Under the law, a man lived by his own faith, but not so now. I live by the faith of Christ. When my faith fails, nevertheless, His faith remains sure.

 

[mpaper345]

The Bible says that faith without works is dead,which means if you do not labor for the kingdom of God,being led of the Spirit,then faith is void in your life.

The Bible says we are not saved by works,and faith without works is dead,which is not a contradiction,for one is physical,and one is spiritual.

When the Bible says we are not saved by works,it means there is nothing we can do to inherit salvation,apart from Christ,like the Old Testament physical ordinances,or other religions,but we are saved by accepting Christ,and receiving His Spirit.

Which some people go by some of the physical ordinances,that confess Christ,but Jesus took them out of the way,nailing them to His cross,in which those ordinances do them no good,and let no person tell you to keep them.

But after we are saved,then we have to allow the Spirit to lead us,doing what the Spirit wants,to have faith active in our life,which some have a form of godliness,but deny the Spirit leading them.

That is why Jesus said not everyone that says Lord,Lord,will enter heaven,which they will tell Jesus,why not,we did works in your name,but He said He never knew them,because they denied the Spirit leading them.

That is why the Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,for we have to allow the Spirit to lead us,whch some do not,and we are saved if we continue in the goodness of God.

But of course we might sin from time to time,but we can always repent,and allow the Spirit to lead us again.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

As long as you understand what justified before GOD Is and what justified before man Is.

Ask the believer in 1 Corinthians 3 whose works were burned up at the JSOC, yet he himself was saved. Do you know why? The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. His foundation was Jesus Christ.

 

[John146]

As long as you understand what justified before GOD Is and what justified before man Is.

Sure do, but there's no where in the Bible where the believer is commanded to be justified before man.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

Sure do, but there's no where in the Bible where the believer is commanded to be justified before man.

It's not commanded but would you agree that good works will follow the faith of CHRIST,If you really don't understand what I mean by justified before men,maybe someone can explain It better than I can.