dc. why is there a need to seperate faith and works ? when on one hand you will say faith produces works, and on the other works have no part in salvation, and on yet another hand seem to say " faith without works is dead' ? doesnt that sort of sound like a body without a heart is dead? or a human with no blood in thier viens are dead? im not saying your trying to send the message " dont obey God its a trick its trying to save yourself" but really thats what it sounds like from alot of you guys.
if faith is dead without works, why the argument against works having a part in it when clearly works are a part of faith that saves James says " can that Kind of faith save you? take a look at the context there
james 2:14-24 "
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?can faith save him?15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And 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? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ( notice How hes saying faith without works cant save)
18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 2
1Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
do you agree with james assesment regarding the unity of faith and works? honestly I have never understood the reasoning behind making a seperation between faith, and works. faith saved us because faith produces repentance, but we must repent because of faith. faith saves us through obedience, because faith will always produce obedience to the One in whom our Faith is in. faith that has no works included, cant save anyone thats the thing, so whats the point of trying to seperate faith and works? why not encourage works and explain then that were saved by Faith? theres really no distinction faith that cant save has no works, faith that leads to us doing the right things saves. faith does save but How?....because iot produces repentance from sin, and obedience to righteousness. faith saves because it does include doing the will of God, or what people label " works"
Personally Obeying God doesnt seem like a " work" but more Like a blessing to have been given repentance and a new Heart for obedience to God replacing the sinful Heart of obedience to satan. thats what sin is ya know? when we lie, were serving satan, when we steal, kill, deceive, lust after others, covet, dishonor our parents ect those things are what serving satan is. alot of folks wouldnt see that, buit its the truth sin is the will of satan, righteousness the will of God. we work every day One way or the other if we speand our day in the will of satan, were working for Him. If we spend the day in righteousness were serving the will of God. no matter what though every person is working every action every word is a work.
to work for God who Has done immeasurable good and provision for us in Giving His Son to death and sending the spirit to us through His resurrection.......should be an honor and a Joy. its not trying to earn anything, its being grateful for the Mercy of God and Honoring the suffering given for us. im not sure ive ever Heard anyuone claim we need to earn anything. theres really no point to the argument faith or works they go together unto salvation. works cant save without faith, faith cant save without a willingness to accept and do the right things either because that faith is dead and useless.
The bible is clear on the subject......I assume you can read right?
It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe<----Do tell...what in this verse leads to salvation?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.<----Do tell...what in this verse leads to salvation?
He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.<---Do tell...what in this verse leads to everlasting life?
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:<--Do tell...what in this verse equals life?
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<--Do tell....what in this verse leads to not perishing and everlasting life?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.<--Do tell...what in this verse leads to life, no condemnation and passed from death unto life?
I can go all day posting such truths.....there is not one verse which states that WORKS will save anyone.....as a matter of fact quite the contrary....to ADD WORKS to FAITH in order to gain, keep or finish off salvation IS FALSE, double cursed and a gospel that NO ONE preached including PAUL.........what is the common denominator found in the above verses and ALL like them.....it is BELIEVE or FAITH.........
THE just shall live by FAITH <-----it does not say WORKS.......ONE cannot produce ONE work or ONE microgram of FRUIT if they are NOT SAVED ALREADY.......IT IS FAITH and FAITH ALONE that SAVES A MAN..........any work, fruit, produce, by product that a man may produce is the result of the FAITH and SALVATION by FAITH that one already possesses......
IT pleased GOD by the FOOLISHNESS of PREACHING to SAVE them that BELIEVE....
TO ALL who attempt to EARN, FACILLITATE, EMBELLISH and or FINISH off salvation by WORKS....it is FOOLISH in their minds that ONE MUST SIMPLY BELIEVE to be saved......
BE not removed from the simplicity that is found in CHRIST!<---it is a simple thing to BE SAVED by FAITH!