I'm not sure it isn't about weakness and strength when it comes to judging whether works are "good" or dead.
Ephesians 2 is not preaching faith alone.
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This isnt about God's weakness though it's about faith alone or both faith and works. According to Scripture it seems more like the latter than the
Dead refers to faith not works. Works complete faith. If faith by itself(alone) was sufficient then it wouldn't need completion. By definition that which is complete doesn't need completion
Depending on the context, justified doesn't always mean saved.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon:
dikaioō
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
Show from Scripture that james isn't using it the same as saved. If it's not all about our salvation then what the point?
Works empty of faith, faith empty of works are two sides of the same coin, a two tailed coin, imo. It seems to me that these two sides are all we're really arguing about.
In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims he has faith but has no works (to evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith. *So James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. Simple!
James is not using the word "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. 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)
Saved by works in James 2:24 is in contradiction to Romans 4:2-3.
There is no contraction. James is not claiming anyone is saved by works. This is why you either can't or won't understand. I'm going to ask you AGAIN
You can see then, that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
What does that sentence mean?
We're created for good works, works prepared beforehand (and given to us to do), according to Ephesians 2:10
Why can't you answer a simple question? I'll make it easier for you. In James 2:24 what does the word "and" refer to?
We have faith by which to work with. Do you think if we fail to take up a certain work that's all that He has in store for us?
Salvation produces good Works which is the fruit Jesus is speaking of in John 15
John 15:1,2
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:5IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
*** WHO... is to do the abiding according to Jesus???? That’s right, WE are!
John 15:4,5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
*** WHO... is to do the abiding according to Jesus???? That’s right, WE are!
John 15:8-10
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Now, here's the kicker - get ready you followers of reformed theology...
HOW are we to abide in Christ, thru our own strength and ability???
NO... thru the Lord Who strengthens us!
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
You're the only one playing. AGAIN in James 2:24 what is the word "and" referring to?
Can't you make the logical connection going by my answer? For example, God prepares a work for someone, and brings about the opportunity to do it, but his faith falters and he leaves it undone (he chooses to). I suppose that you've gathered that this means that he is on his way to hell.