FAITH ALONE: Paul Agrees With James.

I'm not discouraging obedience. Just the opposite. Anyone who believes they are obeying the law by trying to keep the commandments in their own strength falls short of obedience. That's why Christ came in the first place. Simply because we are saved we don't suddenly become able to keep commandments. It is only as we walk in the Spirit that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Apart from Christ we can do nothing. So encouraging people to try their best is dooming them to failure. Teaching people to live under the yoke of Christ releases burden and provides rest. Teaching people to delight in the Lord is what leads to having the desires of our hearts given. Not our present desires, but pure and holy desires are placed in our hearts. Teaching people how to humble themselves and actually get into the presence of God where we are changed from glory to glory is where we are conformed to the image of Christ. Learning how to work out our salvation in fear and trembling knowing that it is God who is willing and doing His good pleasure.
Far from encouraging disobedience, I'm trying to share with people what it is to have a real and vital relationship with God where real change is occurring in them and the power of God is resting upon them, and not some self discipline that outwardly conforms to the law but has no inward reality.
There truly exists a phenomenal life with God hidden in Christ to be had. A life that finds its satisfaction in the good Shepherd and does not want. A life where God is our reward and He that is all desirable becomes all desired by us and we are fully satisfied in Him. But it isn't found in pursuit of obedience; it is found in pursuit of Him.

What justifies a man before God?

Or as I like to say without the word of god , you just have a made up god.

Repentance

The concept of salvation by faith alone is a central tenet in Protestant Christianity, particularly emphasized by Martin Luther during the Reformation. This teaching is based on passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Most all Christian churches emphasize Grace, & Faith as the sole means of salvation.

But not all Churches recognize His Grace, that offers salvation, is offered to all men everywhere.
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" Acts 17:30
Jesus said repent or perish Luk 13:3.
"When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Acts 11:18

So Repentance is a requirement for salvation Luk 13:3; Acts 11:18. It is Faith in Jesus and His Word that brings you to repentance. And the obedience to repentance, is the manifested confirmation of your Faith that is judged and rewarded.

'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph 2:10

Paul taught to be zealous in showing obedience to HIS Word in producing good works in Titus 2:14:

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Paul also taught you will be judge and rewarded for your works

"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." 2Cor 5 10
Paul also records

"Who will render to every man according to his deeds:" Rom 2:6

John confirmed your works are rewarded by God and do follow you into His Kingdom

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Rev 14:13.

What about James 2:14-26, where it is stated that faith without works is dead.
James emphasizes the importance of genuine faith which is shown through works. Works are seen as the evidence or fruit of ones faith.
All works, by all men, are produced by what they believe. The works show where one placed their faith, it is evident in what they do. You'd have to be dead not to produce any works. As everyone does as they believe.

The works of Repentance, doing good deeds, showing charity, and expressing love are all ways in which believers demonstrate their faith in action. These works are not done to earn salvation but as a response to the grace and love to God and to His Word . They are the visible manifestation of an inward transformation that comes from genuine faith in Christ.

In essence, faith and works go hand in hand in the Christian life. While salvation is by faith alone, provided by His Grace to all men, true faith in Jesus and His Word will inevitably produce good works as a reflection of one's relationship with God. It is through a living faith that believers are called to actively demonstrate their love for God and others. Thus giving evidence to ones obedience to The two great commandments.
"This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt 22:38-40
Loving God with all your heart and soul and loving your neighbor as yourself, encompass the core of the Christian life, where faith, obedience, and good works flow from a heart transformed by God's grace.

Obedience is a key aspect of demonstrating faith in GOD. In John 14:15, Jesus says,
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Obedience to GOD's commandments is a reflection of one's faith and love for GOD. It is through obedience that believers show their trust in GOD's Word and wisdom and aligning ones actions with GOD's will.

Therefore, faith, works, and obedience are interconnected in the Christian life. True faith in GOD is demonstrated through actions and obedience to GOD's commandments, reflecting a genuine relationship with GOD and bearing witness to the transformative power of faith in the lives of believers.

This is a confirmation of one's faith and a response to God's grace, whom rewards one with rewards in eternity based on one's deeds Weather at be good or bad. (see Reve 14:13.)

"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:29

John 5:29 above underscores the lasting impact of deeds done in faith and obedience to God.

The belief that God rewards these obedient works further underscores the importance of faith being manifested in actions that align with God's will and demonstrate love for God and others.

John emphasis on the confirmation of genuine faith through the evidence of works that result from obedience to God's commands, particularly the two great commandments to love God and love others. These works are seen as a reflection of one's faith and a demonstration of living out the teachings of Jesus.

Thus Salvation in Christ is a gift from God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith leads to repentance, as seen in Luke 13:3, as turning away from sin is essential and a good work. While works and obedience are important fruits of genuine faith, they do not earn salvation but are evidence of Faith in Jesus and a transformed life that God judges and rewards. The two great commandments, loving God and loving others, encompass the core of Christian living, where faith, obedience, and good works flow from a heart transformed by God's Grace in sending the Holy Spirit to those that are obedient in baptism. Acts 2:38.

Well... the fruits can be hard to tell. They obviously do happen, but not every saved person goes on to maturity.

I'm not discouraging obedience. Just the opposite. Anyone who believes they are obeying the law by trying to keep the commandments in their own strength falls short of obedience. That's why Christ came in the first place. Simply because we are saved we don't suddenly become able to keep commandments. It is only as we walk in the Spirit that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Apart from Christ we can do nothing. So encouraging people to try their best is dooming them to failure. Teaching people to live under the yoke of Christ releases burden and provides rest. Teaching people to delight in the Lord is what leads to having the desires of our hearts given. Not our present desires, but pure and holy desires are placed in our hearts. Teaching people how to humble themselves and actually get into the presence of God where we are changed from glory to glory is where we are conformed to the image of Christ. Learning how to work out our salvation in fear and trembling knowing that it is God who is willing and doing His good pleasure.
Far from encouraging disobedience, I'm trying to share with people what it is to have a real and vital relationship with God where real change is occurring in them and the power of God is resting upon them, and not some self discipline that outwardly conforms to the law but has no inward reality.
There truly exists a phenomenal life with God hidden in Christ to be had. A life that finds its satisfaction in the good Shepherd and does not want. A life where God is our reward and He that is all desirable becomes all desired by us and we are fully satisfied in Him. But it isn't found in pursuit of obedience; it is found in pursuit of Him.

But I was never talking about obeying the law in our own flesh. Why do you keep backtracking and talking about that?

I'm talking about trusting and abiding in the Holy Spirit - it is the Holy Spirit who does all the work of changing us so that we end up being Christlike and obedient to God. That's why works of the flesh don't save us - it is God and His work on the cross which saves and results in a godly and obedient life in us to the Lord.

You say that you try to share with people about a real and vital relationship with God but you're not ever talking about how to actually do that via the Holy Spirit. Why not post how the Holy Spirit worked in your life to bring your to Christlikeness and obedience to the God?

I'm addressing obedience to God on this forum because if someone mentions "obedience to the Lord", people get triggered and cry out that "it's the work of the flesh and you're trying to earn your salvation!" It's just crazy. Obedience to the Lord is actually a work of the Holy Spirit and not of the flesh.

It's also a good thing to encourage Christians to obey God, not to earn salvation, but to please God. That's part part of pursuing Him.

1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.


🍔

Yeah makes sense sort of creating our own version of Jesus and salvstion the words are different but it seems like there’s always a source a lot of times it’s about what they have heard about Jesus

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s always been this

God tells man the truth

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then comes deception , sin and death

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:4-6‬ ‭

The gospel is the same Jesus told us all the truth that will save our souls and sent it to us all

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But the enemy comes after that telling us lies “ the gospel isn’t for you , it doesn’t matter what Jesus said about it , there’s another different gospel for you just say grace your saved or go back to Moses law now or you can’t be saved ect ect

anything to get us away from the truth that will save us “ I saw another beast rise up from the earth having two horns as a lamb, but he spake as a dragon

op: faith alone? Paul agrees with James??

1) "By Grace Through faith..." (Ephesians 2:8 AV)

2) Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth:

James:


Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ!” (online):

Paul:

Plus Nothing!:

Plus Nothing, Confirmed!:


Plus Nothing, Further Confirmed!:
+
Final Confirmation:


Amen.

His GRACE is to All Men Everywhere. (also Acts 11:18) And without His Grace, there is no salvation to anyone.
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" Act 17:30
it is your FAITH which is evident by the works of Repentance which is demanded by God for salvation. Luk 13 3 Jesus was emphatic Luk 13 5

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Jesus.

It is your faith evident by works of repentance which is demanded. Works like baptism if you have time, zealous to good works gives your confirmation of your faith in HIS WORD, most call Jesus. that separates the good from the wicked under God's grace. "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Jn 5:29

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1Jn 4 6

Are not baptism and belief commanded, like repentance?

James taught that faith without works is dead, and a person is justified by works, and not faith alone.

Paul said out of faith, hope, and charity, love in action, works, charity is the greatest.

And love is greater than faith, and faith works by love, and we are saved by grace through faith.

If we do not have love then faith does not apply and then grace does not apply.

And this love is not part time but all the time being led by the Spirit which a Spirit led person will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and show the ways of the Spirit.

We are saved by faith, and not by works, for that is all we can do when we confess Christ.

But when we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love to have faith apply in our life for love is greater than faith, and faith works by love.

So works is a requirement a person has to do and cannot be neglected because we have to have works of love.

Charity is greater than faith which Paul said he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains, but if he did not have charity then he is nothing.

Which Paul is speaking when a person receives the Spirit.

Which James said if they do not have charity by pointing out caring for the needs of other then their faith is dead.

So Paul and James say the same thing, and Paul was speaking when a person does not have the Spirit when they first confess Christ that they are not saved by works, but by faith, and when they receive the Spirit which then they have to have works of the Spirit.

Paul said if anyone teaches that godliness is gain from such withdraw yourselves having food and clothing be content.

For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy, and love is the fulfilling of the law, which if they covet after money they have erred from the faith.

So Paul is saying if they do not have charity by caring about the needs of people by going by their wants moneywise then they lack love then they have erred from the faith for without love there is no faith.

Faith would have the proper perspective of God, and His Kingdom, and that being love.

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, works, and truth.

For love can only be valid if it is done in works for it does not help someone who is starving, or has a need, and you say hope you do well, but do not care about their need, so how is that love.

Works is greater than faith for that is the only way we can show love after we receive the Spirit for it has to be done in action.

Everything stems from love because love is greater than faith, and hope.

You hear people say we are saved by faith alone, and they carry that attitude throughout their entire Christian life neglecting the love part.

For you can see many of their lifestyles where they love money, and material things, going by their wants which is not love so them saying all they need is faith is invalid.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1Jn 4 6

Yes. You will not repent unless you believe. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given by God. Jesus showed us through the water baptism. We received the holy spirit. Acts 2:38

Daily service is the right response to salvation.. but not directly connected to it.