H. Richard
Well-Known Member
So I take it that you are living without sinning, right? -- About James and the Law of Moses, read Acts 21. If you are not blind then understand that Paul was indeed teaching the Jews and Gentiles that they no longer have to live under the Law of Moses. Since the Jews were only mad at Paul then James was not teaching the same thing Paul was teaching. It is only common sense that if both Paul and James were teaching the same message then those Jews would have turned on James too.Wormwood said:I dont think anyone here was saying or implying that following Jesus was the equivalent of following the Law of Moses. However, Jesus did preach that all who followed him should repent. One cannot continue living in sin and pretend they are a disciple of Jesus. Grace provides a means for transformation by the Spirit, not indulging the desires of the flesh. If we follow Jesus we put to death the misdeeds of the body to walk in accordance with the Spirit.
Also, I disagree that James wrote that people should follow the Law of Moses....
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21, ESV)
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (James 2:1, ESV)
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12–13, ESV)
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)
James message is full of grace and faith in Jesus Christ as a means by which someone is saved. James is simply dealing with the false teaching that one can claim grace and live wickedly. Paul also deals with similar issues...
“And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” (Romans 3:8, ESV)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19–21, ESV)
Every letter has a context and is dealing with people who have particular issues. Paul often wrote against Judiazers who were trying to pervert the Gospel by making people serve the Law as a means of salvation and relationship with God. James was not dealing with that issue. He was dealing with believers who were trying to pervert our holy calling in the name of faith. Again, Paul and James do not contradict one another. They are both dealing with different audiences who had different sin/faith issues.
Acts 21:20-21
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
NKJV
In my opinion the book of James is devoid of the gospel of grace as taught by Paul. However, it was completely compatible with the law of Moses. Since the word of God has to be based on truth, I find the book of James is not meant to be used as a book directed to the grace church. It is only truth to those under the Law of Moses, the Jews.
Here are some more facts that support my opinion. I find them interesting.
1. The word “Law” is found in 18 places
2. The word “grace” is found in 2 places
3. The word “Christ” is found in 2 places
4. The word “Justified” is found in 2 place with the words “by works” after them
5. The words “by faith” is found 1 time (justified by works and not by faith only)
6. The word “cross” is not found
7. The word “reconciled” is not found
8. The word “sanctified” is not found
9. The word “saved” is not found
10. The words “in Christ” are not found
11. The shed blood of Jesus on the cross is not mentioned.