Is this particular Scripture actually about Faith needing works,
in order to be genuine FAITH.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And 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?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, 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.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Is a site I'm looking at that cites some of the major denominations' official reply to this question.
"We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings." (UMC) - Methodists
Common grace enabling good works given to all; sufficient grace for salvation given to elect only;
Good works in the eyes of God "are done for the glory of God and the good of man, according to the rule of divine Law." True good works cannot be done until saved without works. (LCMS) - Lutherans
"Those who truly have faith in Christ necessarily live out that faith expressing compassion for others for whom He died." (ABC) - Baptists
Lots of other differences between the denominations.
:applause:Jude & James:applause:... even simple faith to believe unto salvation is a work within its self... but as you pointed out James, Jesus did the total work on the cross, and the only work we do as pertaining to our salvation, for lack of a better word, is the work of BELIEVING and RECEIVING.And for some people believing and receving is a great work and this is why many have rejected Christ, beleiving and receiving is tooo hard of a work:laugh:
And as Jude points out, there is nothing we can do as pertaining to works to get salvation, can't mow the lawn, or trim a thousand trees in a day to impress God to grant us His salvation, nor get circumcised as the Judiazers tried to say, was the way of salvation and to find favor with God... the only works of faith when it comes to salvation is the work of believing and receiving.
So, PIOC again, the apostle James asks the question can a person say he/she has faith, and does not have works? Can his faith save him without any works? The answer is, there must be works of some kind, if faith is to accomplish its purpose and goal. Otherwise, your faith is dead and so are your works.Verse 20, points to this very thing, O vain man, will you not know that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?
PJ said: It does not matter who rants and raves if there was one word to define faith as that that please God it would be action. Greek the bible gives example after of example.
good word PJ.
Aand I don't understand why PIOC can't see this, and is so quick to charge me with being wrong in my understandong of the English in what the apostle si speaking here. Greek Hebrew, Spanish, or German, James is still saying the same thing. Faith is action, on the move!
awwww... Maybe its because POIC lacks the fullness of faith and doesn't understand that if he had the faith he thinks he has, then he would assemble himself with other believers in the house of God that has been set apart as a place of worship for believers to come and in unity as one, learn more about Jesus in service under the leadship of a PASTOR God has appointed and ordained as shepherd over His flock, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
And maybe , just maybe if POIC had enough faith as a mustard seed he would enter into the house of the Lord and learn more about the importance of sharing his faith to encourage and be encoruaged by other believers, as God teaches in His word we as believrs should do...I don't know, I'm just maybe-ing, that he if he has enough faith to attend worship service in a church building along side of other believers, that he will find the right spiritual answers and be, as Jude says enlightened by the power of the Holy Ghost!... and his dead faith and dead works will be qucikened and made alive:bouncy:... :prayingf:
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now Faith is BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR and CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE!:rolleyes:"{THE **UNSEEN**}...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He {WHO IS **UNSEEN**} exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM!":peace:
2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes:rolleyes: not on what is seen, but on what is **UNSEEN**. For what is seen is temporary, but what is **UNSEEN** is ETERNAL!."
Matthew 5:19,20: Jesus says, �Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth {THE SEEN}, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves:rolleyes: **TREASURES** in Heaven!{THE **UNSEEN**}� Luke 12:33 adds �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide for yourselves.. a **TREASURE** in heaven {THE **UNSEEN**} that will not be exhausted. For where your **TREASURE** is there your heart will be also!!�
2 Corinthians 6:6,10: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way......We are **POOR**, yet making many rich, **HAVING NOTHING**{THE SEEN}, and yet **POSSESSING EVERYTHING**!{THE **UNSEEN**}!�
Ephesians 6:7,8: "Serve wholeheartedly...because you know that the Lord will *REWARD* everyone for whatever good he does!"
2 John 1:8: "Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be *REWARDED* fully!"
I Corinthians 3:6-9: Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be *REWARDED* according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers!":applause:
UNSEEN ETERNAL REWARD:
Daniel 12:3: "Those who impart wisdom will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever!"
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your {**UNSEEN**}*REWARD* in Heaven!" {See Luke 6:35}
Revelation 22:12: Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My {**UNSEEN**}*REWARD* is with Me, and I will give to everyone:rolleyes: according to what he has done!"
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: "So we make it our goal to please Him..For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him {**UNSEEN REWARDS & TREASURES**} for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad!"
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, For the Son of Man is going to come in His **FATHER'S GLORY WITH HIS ANGELS**{See Matt 24:30-31;25:31-40 & 2 Thess 1:6-10}, and **THEN**{NOT NOW} He will *REWARD*{**WITH UNSEEN ETERNAL REWARDS**} each person:rolleyes: according to what he has done."
MORE UNSEEN ETERNAL REWARDS:
Jesus says in Rev 2:17; 3:4, 5, 21: �To him who overcomes...I will give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it:rolleyes:.....He will walk with Me for he is worthy:rolleyes:... I will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.... I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem.....I will write on him my New Name... and I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.�
So Salvation is a 100% FREE GIFT as per Ephesians 2:8,9 and {**UNSEEN**} eternal *REWARDS* for God's faithful and loving saints are 100% earned!
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for *ACTION*, and set your hope *FULLY* on the {**UNSEEN**} grace to be given *YOU*:rolleyes: when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*.:applause:
The Sinner on The Cross had Faith Alone. It was CHRIST�S GIFT to him that gained him Access to Heaven. The Thief did nothing to Earn it or nothing to Purchase it. It was God�s GRACE Alone.
What James is alluding to is simply that with Faith comes Graces that Transforms and brings about Deeds and Actions of a True Believer (Works). These Deeds and Actions (Works) are Manifestations of a True Believer (Christian).
A Rose Bush that does not Flower is a DEAD ROSEBUSH!
A Fruit Tree that bears no fruit is barren and Dead!
There should be FRUITS from a True Believer. If one claims to be a Christian, yet there are no signs of it (Fruits�Works) � that person�s Faith has to be questioned, because with True Faith comes God�s Graces which are very Powerful and very Empowering!
Ella had you looked into the GREEK language which is the language which the Word of GOD has been written into, you might not be talking to me as you have been.
But I already know that you are a legend in your own mind. You talk and act as though you are an expert with the Hebrew,Greek,and Aramaic languages.
yet,You talk about things you have no idea what they are.
No wonder the body of Believers is in such a shabbles with those that cannot and will not study the language the Word of GOD is written in.
Mr.Meanie:
Had you at least had even one IOTA of humility,you would have looked to the Greek before trying to instruct me on this subject.
George it would seem as if your words would fit yourself more than they would any one else, if there is one in need of help you are in extreme need, and a dose of humility on your part might help that demon to get of your back.
