FreeGrace2 said:
James wasn't even discussing "saving faith". He was discussing that believers NEED TO demonstrate their faith to others so that others can see their faith.
A rather common reaction when first presented with the truth of James 2.
So you think God didn't already know what Abraham would do? He's omniscient, you know. What Abraham did was for the benefit of others, who could SEE his faith. Did you know that Abraham was very rich and had a lot of servants? Do you think Abraham offered Isaac in secret?
Not only that, but God preserved Abraham's work for humanity to read.
See above.
Do you understand what hypocrisy is and means? When a person doesn't live up to their claims, they are viewed as a hypocrite. Exactly like the example James gave in 2:15,16.
btw, 1 John 3:18 is parallel to what James wrote about:
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
iow, words/speech is meaningless apart from action.
That justification is salvation, and NOT in view in James. That's why Martin Luther was so confused with James. Paul's use of justification WAS about salvation.
James was using 'justification' to mean approval.
James 2:14-26 can be summarized by v.18 - But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
The problem is that translators who include quote marks goofed by putting the endquote after the first "deeds". That renders the whole verse confusing.
The "someone" is making the point that he is ABLE to "show his faith by his deeds". And he is challenging another to demonstrate their faith "without deeds", which is impossible.
See? Not confusing at all. James wanted his audience to show their faith to others. The ONLY WAY to do that is by deeds. No other way.
Here are some verses that prove that our lifestyle before others is important.
Rom 12:17 - Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Rom 14:18 - because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and
receives human approval.
Luke 16:15 - He said to them (pharisees), you are the ones who
justifiy yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.
Col 4:5 - Be wise
in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
1 Pet 2:12 -
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may
because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Pet 2:15 - For it is God’s will that
by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
Notice that is our ACTIONS (deeds) that silence others. iow, they SEE what we do.
1 Thess 4:12 - so that your daily life may
win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Respect = approval = justification in the eyes of men
1 Tim 3:7 - He must also
have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Again, respect, approval, justification in the eyes of men
2 Cor 8:21 - For we are taking pains to
do what is right,
not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
If this verse doesn't convince you, you don't want to be.
1 Jn 3:18 - Little children,
let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
