Let's consider just 4 such verses:
Okie dokie, let's consider "your cherry picked" verses. ;)
(1) "What good is it, brethren, if a man says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him (James2:14)."
This rhetorical question assumes that the answer is an emphatic "No!" and that faith is a process. [/QUOTE]
James 2:
[
14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Disagree with your understanding.
James 2 chapteris About:
*
First, having no regard for an others outside appearance of Wealth, implied by his fine clothing.
*
The Scripture speaks of what is on the "inside". Is a man's RICHNESS, Being;
RICH IN FAITH !
(NOT outside material wealth).
*
The Scripture speaks of an expectation to Be Judged without mercy, if one himself shows no mercy.
*
The Scripture then speaks of WORKS.
You should already comprehend:
* One man CAN NOT SEE Gods Gift of "FAITH" given Another man.
* James 2:
[
17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
[
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.
Pay Attention:
The Justification...of one man's FAITH, is BEING JUDGED "JUSTIFIED"
BY ANOTHER MAN!
BY the WORKS, Another man Does toward the one Judging!
Works do Not Justify any Man To Receive Salvation.
Faith is a Gift from God, that Expressly, one must Have, To be Justified
BY God, to receive Salvation.
Works is Expressly, HOW One man WHO claims Faithfulness IN God, "Justifies" before another man's, "EYES", that his good works Toward another man....ARE Because of that One man's Faithfulness IN God!
Works toward another, BY a faithful man; IS a Two Fold Justification.
1) it reveals the works toward the other IS being Accomplished BY a man Faithful to God.
2) it Gives Credit TO GOD, of His Gift of Faith, To the man, is the Reason the man CAN accomplish Good Works.
Bottom line remains.
* No man is Saved Without Faith.
* Faith is a Gift from God.
* Good Works, of a Faithful man, Glorifies God.
* Any man being on the receiving end of Good Works, "Knowing", the man Doing the Works, is Doing the Works...Because of the man Having Faithfulness IN God...
Just might have an incling to desire the Same for himself!!!
Do you not understand the difference of a man Works solely for "his own benefit", that Any man can do...
And a Faithful man, Who Works for "Gods benefit" of Glorifying Gods Great Name?
Glory to God,
Taken
