"Faith + Works =...

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#23
Our faith will be judged.
All righteousness is fulfilled by Jesus and we are given this by faith.

But faith without works is dead.
So God will judge our faith.
Was it dead or sincere faith?
why does it say our works ? Our deeds ?

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:5-11‬ ‭

thats how it always describes judgement. By our deeds what we do in response to what’s been done for us

Every time the Bible tells us about judgement it’s the same

“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. 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.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s what we do whether we do good in life

a from the old testsment

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To the end of the new testsment

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20:12-13‬ ‭


a faith believes the truth that’s how faith is formed when we accept the truth when we do acknolwedge that we need to stop doing evil and start doing good because of this truth we’re going to repent and Start living better

aid we are cknsrs rly rejecting the truth of this and saying “ our works don’t apply , we’re not capable of change , we can’t do anything good , well
Never be held accountable for what we do and say “


We are cutting faith off at the knees because that belief is part of faith it’s what accomplishes this

“that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we hear that and we’re saying “ we’re not capable of doing good” it’s because we have never let the gospel change our mind renew the spirit of our mind

A sinner is convinced I’m not able to change this I’m on a prison and just a slave no choice to sin or do right

a born again Christian says “ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength “

we have to allow the gospel to change our minds from what they used to be to what Jesus came to teach us
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#24
Exactly! There is no Jew or gentile in the body of Christ, therefore, the twelve tribes could not be the body of Christ.
“There is no Jew or gentile in the body of Christ,”

Exactly so the argument James was preaching to Jews only and it’s not for gentiles is foolishness
 

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,197
1,601
113
Midwest
#25
Sure. But how will you know if your calling and election is sure?
By God's OPERATION And Work On us of "true faith, Under HIS GRACE":

God's OPERATION On all HIS New-born babes In Christ
+
God's Eternal Assurance

IF God's Plain And Clear Words (12-Dozen Passages) don't help us
"know And understand, our calling and election Are SURE," then
nothing else will, eh?

Grace, Peace, And JOY In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided
(+ I and II).
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#26
Christians will be held accountable for their works done in the body at the JSOC, but we are not justified by our works, but the work of Jesus Christ.
“Christians will be held accountable for their works”

exactly And so will every other human being

We can repent now and have them all remitted in Christ that’s what he does for us remits our sins when we repent
 
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
#27
Exactly! There is no Jew or gentile in the body of Christ, therefore, the twelve tribes could not be the body of Christ.
Paul is of the twelve tribes and in the body of Christ. How do reconcile that with your concept?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#28
By God's OPERATION And Work On us of "true faith, Under HIS GRACE":

God's OPERATION On all HIS New-born babes In Christ
+
God's Eternal Assurance

IF God's Plain And Clear Words (12-Dozen Passages) don't help us
"know And understand, our calling and election Are SURE," then
nothing else will, eh?

Grace, Peace, And JOY In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided
(+ I and II).
Gods operation is to change a sinner and fill them with his Holy Spirit so they can repent and walk upright lives and be saved

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-15‬ ‭

We have to let him change us freedom comes as we let his word be true

He is teaching us

teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”


Hes redeeming us who lived sinful
Lives before to repent and live upright lives approved of God so we don’t perish

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He’s changing us and bringing us to repentance because we have to face judgement

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We simply have to repent of doing evil it’s not that hard actually most of us nt steal and lie and cheat and kill and swindle our way through life most of us are basically decent people

awe just need to be a blessing and not a curse need to speak the truth and not lie , help and not harm, do good and not evil

It’s always uprising how Christian’s take the idea “ because I believe in Jesus I need to start living right and get away from the muck and mire I used to live in

mostly chrortoans are basically descent folks to begin with it’s hard to understand why so many say “ we’re not capable to do good “ people do good every day all over atheists often live good lives and are altruistic and helpful and not harming folk

New born Christian nature is going to hate sin and love righteousness going to be ashamed of doing wrong and find peace In doing good

at here isn’t a checklist or certain number of things we need to do we simply need to reject sinful life y longer and embrace one that’s directed towards Righteousness taught by Jesus
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,097
3,683
113
#29
“There is no Jew or gentile in the body of Christ,”

Exactly so the argument James was preaching to Jews only and it’s not for gentiles is foolishness
Then why is it addressed to the twelve tribes? Ever other usage in scripture is always a reference to the physical people of the nation of Israel. It’s never a reference to he body of Christ. Never.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,097
3,683
113
#30
Paul is of the twelve tribes and in the body of Christ. How do reconcile that with your concept?
Once he got saved, he was no longer of the tribe of Benjamin.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#31
Paul is of the twelve tribes and in the body of Christ. How do reconcile that with your concept?
he doesn’t understand what happened that both groups jew and gentile became one

“how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:3, 5-6‬

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,…; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:


but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:11-13, 18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬


he tends to have his own explainations though
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#32
Then why is it addressed to the twelve tribes? Ever other usage in scripture is always a reference to the physical people of the nation of Israel. It’s never a reference to he body of Christ. Never.
because it’s a former Jew reaching out to fellow Jews trying to teach them Christianity lol

jew and gentile are one group now the gentiles we’re added into the gospel whether I say to an Israeli believer or a gentile believer doesn’t matter it’s the same message for everyone is my point

God isn’t telling israel one thing and gentiles another he preached the gospel to them first and then sent the few that believed to preach the same gospel to gentiles all nations all peoples are one people to God now because of what Jesus did

A see this is what happened gentiles we’re added into Gods kingdom with israel

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,…; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:


but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:11-13, 18-20‬ ‭KJV

my point is it’s the same message for Jew and gentile there’s no difference to God he says the same to anyone I like the ot we’re all in the same exact boat Jew and gentile

“And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:7, 9, 11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

jews don’t have any different teachings than gentiles in Christ was My point no higher bar or “they need to do works and we don’t “( which was the point of saying it’s not for gentiles )

it’s irrelevant who it’s addressed to it’s James speaking by the Holy Ghost and will benefit and edify anyone willing to hear it and actually not reject it it’s wetting us about faith so we know we need to step out and start acting in faith and not just saying it

I’m saying it doesn’t matter that it’s addressed to them because there’s no difference we’re all
Ofnthe same group none above the other all nations together


Jew and gentile septerstion is of the mosaic law not the gospel
 

Ted01

Well-known member
May 14, 2022
1,055
447
83
#33
“There is no Jew or gentile in the body of Christ,”

Exactly so the argument James was preaching to Jews only and it’s not for gentiles is foolishness
Things that I find interesting in James are that James says in vs 1: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...

If this was a letter to a Jewish audience, it wouldn't endear him to his intended audience. After all, the Jews were being
taught a different account of Jesus... Jesus was an anathema. They positively hated the Christians, right?
So, I believe that his readers would have been converted Jews.

Added to this is that he doesn't go ahead and try to convert in this epistle like the author of Hebrews seems to do. Instead,
James builds on the teachings of others.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#34
Things that I find interesting in James are that James says in vs 1: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...

If this was a letter to a Jewish audience, it wouldn't endear him to his intended audience. After all, the Jews were being
taught a different account of Jesus... Jesus was an anathema. They positively hated the Christians, right?
So, I believe that his readers would have been converted Jews.

Added to this is that he doesn't go ahead and try to convert in this epistle like the author of Hebrews seems to do. Instead,
James builds on the teachings of others.
If this was a letter to a Jewish audience, it wouldn't endear him to his intended audience”

yeah exactly israel Had the gospel preached specifically to them first and not gentiles some converted before Jesus death others were converting after his death along with gentiles

it’s definately addressed to those ofnthe twelve tribes but it doesn’t make any difference the church consisted of both former Jews who converted to Christianity and also former gentiles who converted to Christianity

at he message to convert a Jew and to teach them the new testsment is in no way different it’s for anyone who believes

A few more pints from James he’s talking about faith not the law of Moses

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

hes talkin GB bout repentance and accepting the new testsment word of Christ

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4, 21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

james like paul
And the other writers of the New Testament epistles is teaching us something that’s meant to get into our thinking about the subject of faith so we better understand faith

some seem to think faith means “ now I never have to obey God because I have faith “

abut that’s obviously not faith faith is the reason we do obey what he said will bless and save us

faith needs to be constructed from scripture it shapes our faith when we accept “ faith without works is dead “ what that does is push us forward we begin to understand “ I really need to actually repent d start living a life that pleases God he gave his life for me now it’s time I give my life to him and walk the walk

when we say “works “ every day we do things we run into people we interact with people as we live our life every day we do works and deeds in just daily
Life

awe want to do good always d when we’ve failed we want to acknowledge we did wrong and know we have forgiveness and repent and do better next time every day we’re making a record of our life in Christ as Christian’s we need to let go of the thought “ it’s not my choice what to do , I’m just a sinner who’s incapable nothing I do really matters I’m saved and my deeds don’t apply “

awe want to grab onto and let into our hearts what we do ax sully learn from scriptire

“ faith is more than saying I believe but my actions show my faith , I was a sinner and now Jesus is creating me to be a child of God , I was a slave to sin , now I’m free to follow Jesus with all my heart and be clothed in his garments of righteousness having thy father pleased in all I’m growing up to be in him “

a our issue is always in our mind and heart if we don’t accept our part our role and responsibility to do good and not evil our faith is never going to lift us out of that

as long as a sinner doesn’t think they need to repent and obey Gods Will with thoer deeds they never will it’s the nature of the flesh

abut if we start believing the truth out our actions it’s going to spark us to repent and start focusing and doing better

airs not about earning anything bekng righteous before he’ll have us

airs about we believe in Jesus and he said that makes us right , now we need to hear the lords word and learn and follow so we don’t perish after having been given the greatest gift of all human history

hes calling us righteous beforehand because we believe and leading us from sin into that righteousness as we follow and grow up in faith which only comes from the gospel
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#35
Once he got saved, he was no longer of the tribe of Benjamin.
Neither was James of any Israeli tribe after conversion right ? Or is Paul somehow special ?

You just answered your question James a former Jewish convert to Christianity was writing to his. Re th ten of the Jews in order to teach them the doctrine of faith and bring them into the church of which James was a high elder and considered a high as an apostle infact it’s James who gives the decision on acts fofteen at the counsel of apostles regarding th e church made of both former jew and gentile converts.

james writing a letter to the tribes doesnt change that it’s a witness and servant of Jesus who had converted to Christianity preaching the gospel and teaching them points of faith James is. I dofferent from pauls epistles those are for former Jew and gentile also anyone that believes the gospel will learn from the epistles in the New Testament

It’s just irrelevant who they are addressed to it’s the same message and same beneficial knowledge pertaining to faith paul says it also in a different way he’s much longer winded

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision jew availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;(gentile )

but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. ( faith working by love through what we do for others serving others )


For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ( we are hungry so we Fred ourselves thirsty we get a drink naked we get clothing we meet our needs when they arise that takes an action a work )



Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ( we have to stop doing those works and having those attitudes )



But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ( and start bearing fruit )


And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:6-7, 13-14, 19-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

walking takes an action requires us to choose to step forward believing
If we say we love our neighbor as ourself that’s always going to include a lot of deeds love not acted upon helps no one

“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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a we’re on earth to spread the gospel and love of Jesus Christ to others this requires action every day when we have an opportunity we can choose to do good or we can choose to ignore it and live for our own self as we did before we believed but either way we have to answer for what we choose and will reap what we sow

Paul would address it tonthe church like this

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ( consider how Paul defined the world of flesh and fruits of spirit to know what to sow towards )

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:7-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Once we accept the cross we need to accept thy living Jesus who taught us salvation and believe
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,221
4,283
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#36
Isaiah 64:6

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

The law was not given to save.
The law was a schoolmaster.
Have any of us kept the law from beginning to end, from childhood to now?
Only Jesus Christ.
He is the only One in Whom we should believe.
To make a pile of filthy rags the object of faith is to not believe/trust The Savior.

Faith in CHRIST without works = Salvation
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,097
3,683
113
#37
because it’s a former Jew reaching out to fellow Jews trying to teach them Christianity lol
Bingo! That’s it.

Doctrinally, it’s to the tribulation Jews scattered abroad.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#38
Bingo! That’s it.

Doctrinally, it’s to the tribulation Jews scattered abroad.
Brother you have a lot of strange interpretations in my own belief, but I’m sire you see me the same way

one thing I always always always appreciate about you is you never get hostile that’s is commendable and endearing

Anyways brother I’ve pretty much made my argument and appreciate your good spirit as usual also respect your right to believe what you believe
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,887
5,631
113
#39
Isaiah 64:6

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

The law was not given to save.
The law was a schoolmaster.
Have any of us kept the law from beginning to end, from childhood to now?
Only Jesus Christ.
He is the only One in Whom we should believe.
To make a pile of filthy rags the object of faith is to not believe/trust The Savior.

Faith in CHRIST without works = Salvation
Amen

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:19-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Its the works of the law v the fruits of the gospel

A work of the law

“And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭21:23-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Equal revenge


a word of faith and righteousness contrasted against the contrary work Of the law

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:


but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:38-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Don’t take revenge and repay evil with evil do good to those who do evil against you

they are contrary one is to make us know our son and guilt before God to bring us to our knees in humility without hope in ourselves

the other is to offer salvation and Hope to remit our sins imputed by the law to wash the guilty stains away and teach us to live as the children of God believed and right before him


Without us being humbled and condemned by by law no one would ever seek a savior and redeemer and put thoer faith in him

air we didn’t know we were wrong we could never repent and get right and Jesus would t be so important to us
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,859
845
113
#40
If by works of the law no flesh will be justified then we better never put our faith in works. But if we are making our calling sure we will definitely want to find some works.
Which to me always leads to a question: what are the works that evidence for us true faith?
John 6:28-29
Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”