James 2v21 (worth its own thread I think)

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ForestGreenCook

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#21
Good response above and well compiled. But I would pose a further question or two in relation to this....

1) What is your understanding of the word Justification.....?
2) Is it not only God who justifies, and not men.....?
Jesus made all of those that his Father gave him just by washing their sins away, Gal 2:16.
 

ForestGreenCook

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#22
Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Gen 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Abraham believed in God before he went to sacrifice Isaac for it was God that told him to go sacrifice Issac.

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James said a person is justified by works, and not by faith only, and a person cannot ignore it, and they cannot say that James was speaking to Jews only for Paul and John say the same thing for James is speaking according to someone having the Spirit for it is the New Testament.

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.

James is speaking about works that has to do with loving people that if you have the means to help them with food and clothing and you do not do it then you do not have faith because you do not have the proper perspective of the kingdom of God and His operation on earth.

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Paul says the same thing as James that if they do not have charity, love in action, works, then they are nothing.

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Paul says if they preach God blesses with money and material things for their wants above their needs to withdraw yourselves from them for He only blesses us with our needs.

For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy which is the operation of God on earth that we love one another, and if they love money then they erred from the faith.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

John said if they do not have charity then the love of God does not dwell in them, so do not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth, works.

Love is only valid in works and not in tongue only, and we go by the 2 greatest laws, love God to obey Him and His commandments, and love people which includes feeding and clothing them and to help them with whatever need they have.

Which Abraham was justified for obeying God and going to do the work of sacrificing Isaac, and Rahab was justified for showing love to the 2 Jewish men by hiding them.

We are justified by works for love must be in action for it to apply as love.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Love is the fulfilling of the law, and love is greater than faith, and faith works by love.

No love, no faith, so if a person does not have love for other people which has to be done in works then their faith does not apply for love is greater than faith, and faith works by love.

Out of faith, hope, and charity, only charity, love in action, will go on forever for faith, and hope are not needed in heaven.

Love can only apply if we obey the commandments of God, and have works of love towards people, the 2 greatest laws.

Some people do not understand when Paul speaks according to the flesh, and according to the Spirit, and Paul and James say the same thing concerning faith without works is dead all the while they argue over the 2 as if there is a contradiction in the Bible.

Paul said we are saved by faith, and not by works, which is when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do for when we first believe we have not received the Spirit yet but we are in the flesh so none of our works while in the flesh can save us, so all we can do is have faith to begin our salvation.

But after we receive the Spirit then Paul says we have to have charity, love in action, works, or we are nothing, and have erred from the faith, the same as James said faith without works is dead.

But people want to carry not saved by works throughout their walk with God when we have to have works of love or our faith is dead for love is greater than faith.

And these works are works of the Spirit and not the flesh which we know we have to do the works of the Spirit to be right with God for we have to obey God so what would be the problem, and without being led of the Spirit we cannot be perfect in loving people so faith could not apply.

Which the Bible says some have a form of godliness but deny the Spirit leading them, from such turn away for they are hypocritical, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, which there is many hypocrites not loving people like they should as they enjoy the world as the world enjoys it, and go by their wants in money and material things which they are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, and then say they are saved by faith, but love is greater than faith.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Love is greater than faith to obey God, and to love people in action and not in word or in tongue alone.

Jesus said He would go against these people that lacked love in works if they did not repent.

But the truth is some people interpret the scriptures according to the flesh to enjoy things of the flesh so they say faith alone, and some do not understand but are going by that improper teaching provided to them by other people, or maybe they did not understand if they read it alone.

Faith works by love, not faith alone.

Paul and James say the same thing all the while some people argue over the 2 and Paul said without works they are nothing, and have erred from the faith, and James says their faith is dead.
Your statement " when we first believe, we have not received the Spirit yet". How does that harmonize with Epg 2:5, "even when we were dead (spiritually) in sins, hath he quickened us"?
 

ForestGreenCook

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#23
Your logic doesn't hold. Paul in Romans addressed his letter to those in Rome. Do you quote Romans?
Was not the letter of Paul to the Romans written to "the beloved of God, called to be saints"? And was not "their faith spoken of throughout the whole world"?
 

JaumeJ

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#24
Is not faith considered by our Father to be works. It was imputed to Abraham as righteous nous and we are told by the Master we are become children of Abraham. Know what this means.
 

ForestGreenCook

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#25
The book of James is not a Christian epistle, but a letter in continuance of the gospel to the circumcision. He is writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. This is never a description of the Church, Christians, or Jewish believers in Christ. The term is always associated with the nation of Israel as a whole, never a called out group from that nation.
Not all Israel is of Israel. God changed Jacob's name to be called no more Jacob, but to be called Israel, Gen 33:29, Jacob/Israel is a called out group from the nation of Israel which represents the church, his elect, Rom 9:11-13. A large amount of the time when Israel is mentioned in the scriptures it is referring to Jacob/Israel, the elect.
 

ForestGreenCook

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#26
Abraham believed God at His word in chapter 15, but was not justified until chapter 22 when he offered up his son Isaac.

This is different than what we enjoy today under the New Testament. The believer in Christ is justified immediately upon belief.
The elect, who will be regenerated, were made just by Jesus's death on the cross, Gal 2:16.
 

dodgingstones

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#27
When will people understand that good works are a FRUIT of faith, salvation, and NOT a path to salvation?Guess it will be when Christ returns and separates the wheat from the chaffe. Sadly, that will be too late for some.
 

John146

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#28
The elect, who will be regenerated, were made just by Jesus's death on the cross, Gal 2:16.
Note here that a man believes in Jesus Christ to be justified by Christ’s own faith, His obedience unto death, even the death of the cross. Believing comes first.

Galatians 2:16 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.
 

Hevosmies

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Sep 8, 2018
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#29
Broski we have this thread called NOT BY WORKS thats already sort of been covering this topic for THOUSANDS OF PAGES. The debate is still going on.

Brother @Deuteronomy already shut this thread down by explaining it in a simple yet biblical way. THANKS
 
E

eternally-gratefull

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#30
James 2v21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

Q1) Did he offer Isaac on the altar BEFORE or AFTER he believed in God?
Q2) If after, how could Abraham be justified by Works when he offered Isaac on the Altar?
1. Abraham was declaired righteous when he believed in god, and god accounted it to him as righteousness see romans 4)
2. His faith was justified, not himself. Abraham was justified in Gen 15: 6


james is talking about people who CLAIM to have faith, he never said they ever had living faith, 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith

Then he asked the question. Can that particular faith (which he later called dead) save him? but does not have works? Can faith save him?

and his answer is, if he has zero works (no works whatsoever, not now not ever) his faith is dead. Ie, unable to save.
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?


faith without works equals faith alone, faith devoid of works, a dead faith, Ie a faith that is not living, powerless to do anything. His point? True living faith works, he used the example of Abraham, who do more than just believe, his faith grow so much he offered his son. (The extreme example)

james was fighting a licentious gospel. A gospel, of mere belief, that says you can believe Jesus, and your ok, no repentance, not trust, no real,admitting your even guilty, just say a prayer and bam your saved

1. no one here teaches this nonsense, so not sure why your even asking, because no one believes it

2. You have james contradicting Paul in Rom 4 where paul, says if abraham was found by his righteous deeds (work) he has something to boast (he could take credit for saving himself)
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#31
In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God's accounting Abraham as righteous. The accounting of Abraham's faith as righteousness was made in Genesis 15:6, many years before his work of offering up Isaac recorded in Genesis 22. The work of Abraham did not have some kind of intrinsic merit to account him as righteous, but it showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.

In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:

1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

We need to remember that James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).
Yes a person cannot separate works from faith. It was the faith of Christ working in Abraham that moved him to both will and do the good pleasure of God. Same work of faith that worked in the Son of man, Jesus .Aa picture of the father and Son working to bring the peace of God that surpasses our understanding.

In the end of the matter its whose faith we attribute the work to ? The creature or the Creator? It would apply the same as with Rahab as with Abraham . . . . the mutual faith of Christ who works in all who beleive .

Works of faith as a labor of love.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith(Christ's) wrought with his( Christs) works, and by works was faith(Christ's) made perfect? 21-22

It is why the opening commandment in that chapter sets the stage for Rahab and Abraham .The context of the work of faith labor of love. .

Do not have the faith coming from God in respect to persons seen Like Abraham and Rehab or us, we walk by the unseen eternal. Just as the Son of man, Jesus.

James 2 King James Version (KJV) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Philippians 2: 12-14
 

John146

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#32
Yes a person cannot separate works from faith. It was the faith of Christ working in Abraham that moved him to both will and do the good pleasure of God. Same work of faith that worked in the Son of man, Jesus .Aa picture of the father and Son working to bring the peace of God that surpasses our understanding.

In the end of the matter its whose faith we attribute the work to ? The creature or the Creator? It would apply the same as with Rahab as with Abraham . . . . the mutual faith of Christ who works in all who beleive .

Works of faith as a labor of love.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith(Christ's) wrought with his( Christs) works, and by works was faith(Christ's) made perfect? 21-22

It is why the opening commandment in that chapter sets the stage for Rahab and Abraham .The context of the work of faith labor of love. .

Do not have the faith coming from God in respect to persons seen Like Abraham and Rehab or us, we walk by the unseen eternal. Just as the Son of man, Jesus.

James 2 King James Version (KJV) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Philippians 2: 12-14
What works and how many works justify a man? If I claim to be saved and give food to the poor, am I justified?
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#33
What works and how many works justify a man? If I claim to be saved and give food to the poor, am I justified?

All of the good works Christ works in us to both will and do his good pleasure. We should do them without murmuring or complaining what about this person or that? And remember the better things that accompany redemption in so much that God will not forget the good works we do offer towards his holy name. He is the just and justifier of our new faith. Just as he was with Abraham and Rehab when it worked in them.
 

JohnRH

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Mar 5, 2018
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#34
2) Is it not only God who justifies, and not men.....?
Justification is a legal term. It means 'pronounce or show to be just'. It doesn't mean 'cause to become just''.
Anyone or anything can justify someone or something (whether rightly or wrongly).

Publicans justify God:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Luke 7:29 (KJV)

Wisdom's children justify wisdom:
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Luke 7:35 (KJV)

Pharisees justify themselves:
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15 (KJV)

In James 2, works do the pronouncing or showing.
Abraham's work of offering Isaac showed him to be just (justified him) but didn't cause him to become just.
Rahab's work of helping the spies showed her to be just (justified her) but didn't cause her to become just.
If we cloth & feed a needy brother or sister - that work justifies us.

Faith alone can't 'save' (v. 14) us from receiving the 'judgement without mercy' (v. 13) that comes our way when we disrespect the poor man in our assembly (vv. 1-13). This 'saving' is not eternal salvation; that's accomplished by faith alone.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#35
Actually, the question James is answering is can faith save?

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Can faith alone save? Absolutely! No works needed to earn salvation nor to prove salvation. If works proves salvation...what works and how many works? Giving someone food proves I’m saved?
The works of Christ's faith as a labor of His love were needed for salvation. It appeased the wrath of the father who worked with Christ.

The first verse in chapter 2 as a commandment sets the context of the whole chapter. Do not have the work of Christ's faith that works in mankind in respect to oneself or any person our eyes see.
 

Dino246

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Jun 30, 2015
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#36
The works of Christ's faith as a labor of His love were needed for salvation. It appeased the wrath of the father who worked with Christ.

The first verse in chapter 2 as a commandment sets the context of the whole chapter. Do not have the work of Christ's faith that works in mankind in respect to oneself or any person our eyes see.
Your last sentence is gobbledegook. Are you telling people not to have the work of Christ's faith? No long answers please; I am not looking to be instructed by you. I just want to know what you mean, in plain English.
 

Chris1975

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Apr 27, 2017
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#37
Lets go to the next verses:

James 2v22
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

James 2v24
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.


>No justification by WORKS ALONE
>Justification is by FAITH
>Faith, in order for it to be true faith, has associated works (works are the evidence of faith)
>Justification by Faith and Works (Re read verse 24. Argue. Then re-read verse 24).
>We don't work to show our faith. Our work flows from our Faith. In essence the life of a Christian lived in faith is accompanied by works, which God prepared for us beforehand, that we should walk in them.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#38
Lets go to the next verses:

James 2v22
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

James 2v24
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.


>No justification by WORKS ALONE
>Justification is by FAITH
>Faith, in order for it to be true faith, has associated works (works are the evidence of faith)
>Justification by Faith and Works (Re read verse 24. Argue. Then re-read verse 24).
>We don't work to show our faith. Our work flows from our Faith. In essence the life of a Christian lived in faith is accompanied by works, which God prepared for us beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Why did you ignore my response. and think you can just move on?

ps. Faith is never alone, your wrong for thinking it will ever be alone.
living faith will work. Not might, thats your problem

james said if one claims to have faith, but have zero zip nada works. Their faith is dead. Non living, will never save anyone

paul said we are not saved by works, else we can boast. But those saved are created for works which they will do. (Eph 10)

youbring Paul and James to opposition when they are not, it is your faulty understanding of the correct text and audience of these two great men of god which is in opposition.
 

Chris1975

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Apr 27, 2017
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#39
Why did you ignore my response. and think you can just move on?

ps. Faith is never alone, your wrong for thinking it will ever be alone.
living faith will work. Not might, thats your problem


james said if one claims to have faith, but have zero zip nada works. Their faith is dead. Non living, will never save anyone

paul said we are not saved by works, else we can boast. But those saved are created for works which they will do. (Eph 10)

youbring Paul and James to opposition when they are not, it is your faulty understanding of the correct text and audience of these two great men of god which is in opposition.
You are lacking in comprehension. I am quoting scripture and referencing scripture. Its you who twist it to be something it isn't. I am not putting Paul and James in opposition. Its you who is rejecting James.
 
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eternally-gratefull

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#40
You are lacking in comprehension. I am quoting scripture and referencing scripture. Its you who twist it to be something it isn't. I am not putting Paul and James in opposition. Its you who is rejecting James.
Yet I answered and all you have to say is I lack comprehension?

i used the same words of scripture you used and showed you what I see, I did not ignore them

how about discussing what I said by proving me wrong in context instead of making a strawman?
if you can not, then I will just continue to go knowing I must have the right interpretation since you can not counter me. And others will see the same