The book of James

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RichardBurger

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I hope this is not taken the wrong way. It is not intended to offend anyone. These are my personal thoughts based on what the scriptures actually say and put in this study.

The old saying that James and Paul were teaching the same thing, or that the word “works” each used do not mean the same thing, just doesn’t get it for me. --- One must understand that Paul addressed his letters to the churches he founded. James wrote his letter to the Jews who were scattered over the other countries (James 1:1). James’ letter was not addressed to the same churches that Paul’s letters were addressed

The study:

Was James confused? Or was he still preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, which included the Law?

James 2:20-21
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
(NKJ)

FACT! No, he was not!  ---- He was accounted righteous before God several years earlier, BEFORE the birth of Isaac, and before he had done anything to "prove" his faith in God. 

Genesis 15:4-6
4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."
5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
(NKJ)

FACT! Not only that, but God accounted him righteous solely for his faith in His Promises, and not by anything that he did.  There is nothing in Genesis 15 that mentions any works that Abraham did. Paul accurately reports this.  It seems that James did not consider the account in Genesis 15.  It was not until Genesis 22, many years after Isaac was born, when Abraham was well over 100 years old, that he agreed to offer Isaac.
 
James writes:
22  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

FACT! Neither of those last two statements jives with the Genesis 15:4-6 account. Nowhere does the OT Scripture say that Abraham "was called God's friend" BECAUSE he was willing to offer up his son Isaac. In Isaiah 41:8 it states that God called Abraham His friend but nowhere in the context of the chapter does He say it was because Abraham offered up his son Isaac.

FACT! What James wrote, as shown above, is a direct contradiction of the Gospel that Paul taught and the account given in Genesis 15:4-6. Abraham was righteous before God solely because he believed God’s promises.

In my opinion the book of James is devoid of the gospel of grace as taught by Paul. However, it was compatible with the law. Since the word of God has to be based on truth, I find the book of James is not based on the truth and is highly suspect.

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.

Romans 4:1-7 Abraham Justified by Faith.
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

David Celebrates the Same Truth

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;
NKJV
 

bigape

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Hello RichardBurger

There is only one Church; And every New Testament epistle is written to and/or about it.

The actual difference between Romans and James, is that in Romans Paul was talking about being “justified” before God: While James is talking about being “justified” before men........
James 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.”

--------------------------------------------------
Salvation(being justified before God), is truly by “faith alone”; Because God can see into our heart and know that we truly believe.

While being justified before men, REQUIRES GOOD WORKS, because men can’t see into our heart; Therefore the only way other people know that we have been truly saved, is by our changed life.

Therefore James says........
James 2:17
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:20
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”


The old saying to this is.......
“Faith alone can save, but faith that saves....is never alone!”
 

RichardBurger

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Hello RichardBurger

There is only one Church; And every New Testament epistle is written to and/or about it.

The actual difference between Romans and James, is that in Romans Paul was talking about being “justified” before God: While James is talking about being “justified” before men........
James 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.”

--------------------------------------------------
Salvation(being justified before God), is truly by “faith alone”; Because God can see into our heart and know that we truly believe.

While being justified before men, REQUIRES GOOD WORKS, because men can’t see into our heart; Therefore the only way other people know that we have been truly saved, is by our changed life.

Therefore James says........
James 2:17
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:20
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”


The old saying to this is.......
“Faith alone can save, but faith that saves....is never alone!”

I don't need your sermon. Don't go all over the scriptures posting other scripture they don't deal with facts given in the OP. You prove the facts in the OP are wrong. If you can prove my facts to be wrong then do it.

Your last statement is true but you use it to indicate your works. I believe I am never alone because God is with me by the endwelling of His Holy Spirit.

Here are some more facts that support my opinion.

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.
 

Holy Pursuit

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I almost let this post pass, but there are so many doctrinal errors in it, I couldn't help myself. :rolleyes:

Well, now Richard, the only one you're offending is God, for the simple reason of unbelief and disregard for His written Word.

Nope, Richard, James was not confused and He was not preaching the Law either. The early church leaders were not divided, they were in unity and Paul realized just as much as James, that faith and obedience were the keys to salvation. The New Testament (Covenant) is an agreement between two parties, God gives the free gift of grace to those He chooses and they, in obedience, walk in it, if we are walking in the Spirit. In order to walk in the Spirit, we must abide in Christ, and it is something we do, we abide in Him, through faith and obedience.

How many times did Paul say, "to those who are BEING saved"? Being is an on-going action verb. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, how? By abiding in Him.

Do you even know WHY God asked Abraham to sacrafice Isaac? Because Abraham adored Isaac, Abraham was in danger of placing his own son above God. The act of taking Isaac, it was an action done by Abraham, he obeyed God, and in that obedience he proved his faith, he proved that nothing would hinder his obedience to God.

It is just as we are to be, we are to completely die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us, we are to be Holy and a pleasing sacrifice to our Lord, we do this through faith and obedience. Abraham is a wonderful example of someone who had faith in the Lord and obeyed God at whatever cost.
 

RichardBurger

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Come on people. Can't you see the facts presented in the OP, or are you just on this thread to preach your ideas regardless of the glaring evidence that James and Paul referenced two different places in Geneses to talk about Abraham and that James was in error as to when Abraham was righteous in the sigt of God. Why don't you talk about the FACT that Abraham was declared righteous before God LONG BEFORE ISAAC was born.----- Come on folks, lets talk about the FACTS. I don't want to hear your commits outside of the scope of the OP.

It was said: "Well, now Richard, the only one you're offending is God, for the simple reason of unbelief and disregard for His written Word." So you want to intimidate me. IT is you that is offending God when you won't even look at the FACTS.
 

Holy Pursuit

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Come on people. Can't you see the facts presented in the OP, or are you just on this thread to preach your ideas regardless of the glaring evidence that James and Paul referenced two different places in Geneses to talk about Abraham and that James was in error as to when Abraham was righteous in the sigt of God. Why don't you talk about the FACT that Abraham was declared righteous before God LONG BEFORE ISAAC was born.----- Come on folks, lets talk about the FACTS. I don't want to hear your commits outside of the scope of the OP.

It was said: "Well, now Richard, the only one you're offending is God, for the simple reason of unbelief and disregard for His written Word." So you want to intimidate me. IT is you that is offending God when you won't even look at the FACTS.

I did address the facts, the fact is Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith AND his works.

I again addressed your OP in that you are declaring James is "suspect" and he was speaking of Law, I am defending the written Word of God.

It seems you forgot what your own OP was about.
 

RichardBurger

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I did address the facts, the fact is Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith AND his works.

I again addressed your OP in that you are declaring James is "suspect" and he was speaking of Law, I am defending the written Word of God.

It seems you forgot what your own OP was about.

And I am defending the truth in the written word of God.

Romans 4:1-4
Abraham Justified by Faith (Genesis 17:10)
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
NKJV


I am not blind. I read in the above that a person IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS. Notice the word "if" in verse 2. Paul does not say Abraham was justified by his works but James and you say he was. Since Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles I will believe him.

Both Peter and Paul preached Christ resurrected. Both preached salvation by faith, but Peter preached faith plus (+) works ("and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him") (Acts 10:34); James 2:21,22. ------ But Paul preached FAITH ALONE. --- Peter preached "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38), where as Paul preached, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved..." (Acts 16:29).

Peter in the Gospels preached "the kingdom at hand," whereas Paul preached "the gospel of the grace of God," according to the revelation of the mystery "which was kept secret since the world began. Peter's preaching was circumcision - Law, Paul's preaching was un-circumcision - grace (no law); two opposing doctrines, and both commissioned by Jesus. Galatians 2:7 "But contrariwise, when they (the disciples) saw that the gospel of the un-circumcision (grace) was committed unto me as the gospel of the circumcision (law) was unto Peter."
 

Holy Pursuit

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And I am defending the truth in the written word of God.

Romans 4:1-4
Abraham Justified by Faith (Genesis 17:10)
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
NKJV


I am not blind. I read in the above that a person IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS. Notice the word "if" in verse 2. Paul does not say Abraham was justified by his works but James and you say he was. Since Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles I will believe him.

Both Peter and Paul preached Christ resurrected. Both preached salvation by faith, but Peter preached faith plus (+) works ("and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him") (Acts 10:34); James 2:21,22. ------ But Paul preached FAITH ALONE. --- Peter preached "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38), where as Paul preached, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved..." (Acts 16:29).

Peter in the Gospels preached "the kingdom at hand," whereas Paul preached "the gospel of the grace of God," according to the revelation of the mystery "which was kept secret since the world began. Peter's preaching was circumcision - Law, Paul's preaching was un-circumcision - grace (no law); two opposing doctrines, and both commissioned by Jesus. Galatians 2:7 "But contrariwise, when they (the disciples) saw that the gospel of the un-circumcision (grace) was committed unto me as the gospel of the circumcision (law) was unto Peter."

Yes, and now you put them all together, it is the whole council of the Word, otherwise you are tossing out a large portion of what God has told us to do, and you are only preaching 1/2 Truth. Salvation IS a process, it is not a one time event. The reason for such word usages as perseverance, examine yourself to ensure you remain in the faith, be obedient. If you love the Lord you will obey Him, these are all part of the process of salvation, in addition to abiding in Him, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

The gospel you are preaching is one in which Christians have "accepted Christ" and then that is it (even though it is not us doing the accepting), they are not abiding IN Him, they are not seeking His Holiness and righteousness, they are not conforming to Christ. Do you see the state of Christianity today? Are we seriously presenting ourselves as an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord?

The gospel is about His Kingdom, in which the result of that is eternal life. Richard, what is eternal life?
 

RichardBurger

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Yes, and now you put them all together, it is the whole council of the Word, otherwise you are tossing out a large portion of what God has told us to do, and you are only preaching 1/2 Truth. Salvation IS a process, it is not a one time event. The reason for such word usages as perseverance, examine yourself to ensure you remain in the faith, be obedient. If you love the Lord you will obey Him, these are all part of the process of salvation, in addition to abiding in Him, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

The gospel you are preaching is one in which Christians have "accepted Christ" and then that is it (even though it is not us doing the accepting), they are not abiding IN Him, they are not seeking His Holiness and righteousness, they are not conforming to Christ. Do you see the state of Christianity today? Are we seriously presenting ourselves as an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord?

The gospel is about His Kingdom, in which the result of that is eternal life. Richard, what is eternal life?

No, you don't put them all together. That is you problem, you mix law(works) with grace. Law can not be mixed with grace.

As I have said, your idea (that salvation is a process) is not supported by scripture. I believe that salvation is the work of God and you believe it to be the work of God AND your works. Your idea was under the Law of Moses. I am not under the Law of Moses.

I have never said nor indicated that I am not adiding in Him. You are saying that and it is just your opinion. No, I am not seeking His Holyness and righteousness -- I HAVE ALREADY FOUND IT.

Your opinion that I am not conforming to Christ is only in your own mine. What sin can you charge me with that you don't commit yourself, name one.

You ask if I am an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. Only God knows, however I am on this forum where some say I teach the doctrine of the Devil, where they malign me and what I believe, and it is my belief that they are blaspheming the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and is my teacher.

The state of Christianity today is that it is apostate. People believe they are saved by what they do and not by what God has done on the cross. God will not bless those that consider Jesus' shed blood on the cross as insuficiant for complete salvation.

You think trying not to sin is the work of God and yet the scripture PLAINLY says that the work of God is that you believe in the one He sent. What are we to believe, that we are going to become perfect and righteous in the flesh "or" that Jesus' shed blood makes us righteous before God.

Your question to me, "Richard, what is eternal life?" is just another diversion from what we are discussing and is silly.

You said "examine yourself to ensure you remain in the faith, be obedient." To what am I to be obedient to, the law. You obviously think you are to be obedient to the law and will not consider what Paul taught, that we are not under the law.

We are to be obedient to the gospel, the gospel of grace as taught by Paul. We are to obediently place ALL our belief, faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus' shed blood on the cross. Are you being obedient? (Since you like to ask me questions),
 

Thankful 1

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This is about work getting one to the Kingdom of God.



The first think that what needs to be said is all the letters in the bible were put there by the Holy Spirit to speak to us. No matter who those letters were written to originally they are now speaking to us. The Holy Spirit had no concern for us to know something that did not pertain to us.



Also one needs to understand what Paul was saying, and as Peter warned us many misunderstand Paul’s writings.



Paul told us that one is saved by faith. That is true, because one needs faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and God to be able to do the works of God.



Peter also tells us that our works will be used to judge us.



(1 Peter 1:17) “ Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”







(2 Peter 3:15-16) “Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved: our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that is his special gift. He always writes like this when he deals with this sort of subject, and this makes some points in his letter hard to understand; these are the points that uneducated and unbalanced people distort, in the same way as they distort the rest of scripture a fatal thing for them to do.
 

Holy Pursuit

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This is about work getting one to the Kingdom of God.



The first think that what needs to be said is all the letters in the bible were put there by the Holy Spirit to speak to us. No matter who those letters were written to originally they are now speaking to us. The Holy Spirit had no concern for us to know something that did not pertain to us.



Also one needs to understand what Paul was saying, and as Peter warned us many misunderstand Paul’s writings.



Paul told us that one is saved by faith. That is true, because one needs faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and God to be able to do the works of God.



Peter also tells us that our works will be used to judge us.



(1 Peter 1:17) “ Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”







(2 Peter 3:15-16) “Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved: our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that is his special gift. He always writes like this when he deals with this sort of subject, and this makes some points in his letter hard to understand; these are the points that uneducated and unbalanced people distort, in the same way as they distort the rest of scripture a fatal thing for them to do.

Amen Thankful! Yes, we forget the Bible tells us we will be judged by our works, people believe we have nothing to do with our salvation, even though we are given instruction!

I do not believe in a works salvation, it is God's grace, we do need to obey and be obedient in what God has told us to do, and if we are not obedient, we are not abiding in Him.

May God bless you.

No, you don't put them all together. That is you problem, you mix law(works) with grace. Law can not be mixed with grace.

As I have said, your idea (that salvation is a process) is not supported by scripture. I believe that salvation is the work of God and you believe it to be the work of God AND your works. Your idea was under the Law of Moses. I am not under the Law of Moses.

I have never said nor indicated that I am not adiding in Him. You are saying that and it is just your opinion. No, I am not seeking His Holyness and righteousness -- I HAVE ALREADY FOUND IT.

Your opinion that I am not conforming to Christ is only in your own mine. What sin can you charge me with that you don't commit yourself, name one.

You ask if I am an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. Only God knows, however I am on this forum where some say I teach the doctrine of the Devil, where they malign me and what I believe, and it is my belief that they are blaspheming the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and is my teacher.

The state of Christianity today is that it is apostate. People believe they are saved by what they do and not by what God has done on the cross. God will not bless those that consider Jesus' shed blood on the cross as insuficiant for complete salvation.

You think trying not to sin is the work of God and yet the scripture PLAINLY says that the work of God is that you believe in the one He sent. What are we to believe, that we are going to become perfect and righteous in the flesh "or" that Jesus' shed blood makes us righteous before God.

Your question to me, "Richard, what is eternal life?" is just another diversion from what we are discussing and is silly.

You said "examine yourself to ensure you remain in the faith, be obedient." To what am I to be obedient to, the law. You obviously think you are to be obedient to the law and will not consider what Paul taught, that we are not under the law.

We are to be obedient to the gospel, the gospel of grace as taught by Paul. We are to obediently place ALL our belief, faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus' shed blood on the cross. Are you being obedient? (Since you like to ask me questions),

It is the Word of God, He gave the Bible to us so we could know what we need to do, if you don't believe this, then there is really no reason to argue with you, you are taking ONLY a few scriptures out and justifying your actions based upon those, that is why Christianity is in such a sad state.

I asked you what eternal life was to see if you knew what it was, after all we are speaking of it.

I did not say "examine yourself to ensure you remain in faith" - the Bible said it, all those verses are taken from the Bible and I was not directing them to you, I was simply posting them and asking you why does the Bible tell us to do these things, if in fact, there is nothing for us to do in the process of our own salvation. I did not write the verse #'s down because I figured you would have already known those came directly from the Bible - however, I should have known because you have taken any and all personal responsiblity scripture and tossed them out. So yes, those words I gave you are all action verbs found in the Bible.
 

RichardBurger

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This is about work getting one to the Kingdom of God.



The first think that what needs to be said is all the letters in the bible were put there by the Holy Spirit to speak to us. No matter who those letters were written to originally they are now speaking to us. The Holy Spirit had no concern for us to know something that did not pertain to us.



Also one needs to understand what Paul was saying, and as Peter warned us many misunderstand Paul’s writings.



Paul told us that one is saved by faith. That is true, because one needs faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and God to be able to do the works of God.



Peter also tells us that our works will be used to judge us.



(1 Peter 1:17) “ Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”







(2 Peter 3:15-16) “Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved: our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that is his special gift. He always writes like this when he deals with this sort of subject, and this makes some points in his letter hard to understand; these are the points that uneducated and unbalanced people distort, in the same way as they distort the rest of scripture a fatal thing for them to do.

I disagree. All the words in the scripture are written "FOR US" but not all are written "TO US". The Holy Spirit wrote that the book of James was written to the Jews but most religious men will not believe Him.

Amen Thankful! Yes, we forget the Bible tells us we will be judged by our works, people believe we have nothing to do with our salvation, even though we are given instruction!

I do not believe in a works salvation, it is God's grace, we do need to obey and be obedient in what God has told us to do, and if we are not obedient, we are not abiding in Him.

May God bless you.



It is the Word of God, He gave the Bible to us so we could know what we need to do, if you don't believe this, then there is really no reason to argue with you, you are taking ONLY a few scriptures out and justifying your actions based upon those, that is why Christianity is in such a sad state.

I asked you what eternal life was to see if you knew what it was, after all we are speaking of it.

I did not say "examine yourself to ensure you remain in faith" - the Bible said it, all those verses are taken from the Bible and I was not directing them to you, I was simply posting them and asking you why does the Bible tell us to do these things, if in fact, there is nothing for us to do in the process of our own salvation. I did not write the verse #'s down because I figured you would have already known those came directly from the Bible - however, I should have known because you have taken any and all personal responsiblity scripture and tossed them out. So yes, those words I gave you are all action verbs found in the Bible.

I believe the child of God is responcible to place ALL, ALL, ALL, their belief, faith, trust, and confidence in the work of God (Jesus) on the cross.

Assurance of salvation:

John 5:24-27
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
NKJV

John 6:34-35
34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
NKJV

John 6:46-50
46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.
47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.
NKJV

Acts 13:38-39
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
NKJV

Romans 4:5-8
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."
NKJV

Romans 10:3-4
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
NKJV

Romans 10:10-13
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
NKJV

1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
NKJV

1 John 5:9-13
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
NKJV

The witness I have in myself is the Holy Spirit that lives in my heart.
I don't see man's works in religion in the above. What I see is our faith as the work God requires.

But back to the book of James, You all don't seem to mind, and you just flip them away, the glaring mis-use of the scriptures by James as shown in the OP.
 

Thankful 1

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A sinner will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Now sinning is a work. One needs to have the indwelling of God to receive the grace to not sin. Only if God makes his home in one will one have the power to withstand the power of Satan/sin.



(Matthew 7:21-23) “It is not those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, who will enter the kingdom of Heaven but the person who does the will of My Father in Heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?’ Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!”



(Luke 6:46-49)"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."



(1 Corinthians 6:9-19) “You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunkards, slanders and swindlers will never inherit the kingdom of God.”



“You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God:”



Inherit the Kingdom of God! Have you thought the being saved is not the same as the Kingdom of Heaven?
 

Holy Pursuit

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A sinner will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Now sinning is a work. One needs to have the indwelling of God to receive the grace to not sin. Only if God makes his home in one will one have the power to withstand the power of Satan/sin.



(Matthew 7:21-23) “It is not those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, who will enter the kingdom of Heaven but the person who does the will of My Father in Heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?’ Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!”



(Luke 6:46-49)"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."



(1 Corinthians 6:9-19) “You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunkards, slanders and swindlers will never inherit the kingdom of God.”



“You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God:”



Inherit the Kingdom of God! Have you thought the being saved is not the same as the Kingdom of Heaven?

Yes! With Christ in us, we are being molded into what? Christ! Which includes being sinless! All things are possible with God and the Bible says to be perfect and Holy as the Father is. We can not get there if we do not believe the requirement is to remain in Christ, abide in Him, persevere - all possible with Christ!
We are told to present our bodies as living sacrifices, acceptable to Him, how are we going to do that AND sin?
It's awesome that we are as Holy and perfect as we will ever be AND we are also being perfected and being made Holy as Christ IF we remain in Him and are obedient.

We can and must overcome sin in order to attain Christ.
 

Angelina

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James 2
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works [G2041].” Show me your faith without your works [G2041], and I will show you my faith by my works [G2041]. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works [G2041] is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works [G2041] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works[G2041] and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


G2041 ergon
From ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.


The word "works" used in this verse is an action. This action is accompanied by faith. If even the demons believe and shudder...then belief is not enough without the action that accompanies it...

When we first believed the word that given us about Jesus, we acted upon that belief by confessing that he truly is who he says he is [our Lord and saviour...and that God had raised him from the dead] bible says that, by believing [faith] and acting upon that faith [works] we shall be saved.

This verse is corresponds with Romans 10 and speaks to all believers...not just the Hebrew Church.


Romans 10
. 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth [acting upon your belief] the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart [faith] that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness [faith], and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [acting upon your belief]. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

God had made Israel [believers] and the Gentile believers one body, by the blood of Jesus, through the cross...This had been built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Jesus himself being the Chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2


11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are one, just as the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit are one...

Shalom.
 
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RichardBurger

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A sinner will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Now sinning is a work. One needs to have the indwelling of God to receive the grace to not sin. Only if God makes his home in one will one have the power to withstand the power of Satan/sin.



(Matthew 7:21-23) “It is not those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, who will enter the kingdom of Heaven but the person who does the will of My Father in Heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?’ Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!”



(Luke 6:46-49)"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."



(1 Corinthians 6:9-19) “You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunkards, slanders and swindlers will never inherit the kingdom of God.”



“You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God:”



Inherit the Kingdom of God! Have you thought the being saved is not the same as the Kingdom of Heaven?

Really! then explain how you are going to get into heaven since you still sin. The scripture says that "if you say you have no sin the truth is not in you. --- No one on the earth born of man and woman is sinless.

Yes! With Christ in us, we are being molded into what? Christ! Which includes being sinless! All things are possible with God and the Bible says to be perfect and Holy as the Father is. We can not get there if we do not believe the requirement is to remain in Christ, abide in Him, persevere - all possible with Christ!
We are told to present our bodies as living sacrifices, acceptable to Him, how are we going to do that AND sin?
It's awesome that we are as Holy and perfect as we will ever be AND we are also being perfected and being made Holy as Christ IF we remain in Him and are obedient.

We can and must overcome sin in order to attain Christ.

The scriptures tell us that our faith overcomes the world, not our sinlessness.

Romans 7:24-25
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

If my body is not a body of death then how can Christ deliver me from it? Oh, I get it the person has to do that himself by not sinning.

25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
NKJV
Doesn't sound like the flesh ever stops sinning to me.
 

Holy Pursuit

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Really! then explain how you are going to get into heaven since you still sin. The scripture says that "if you say you have no sin the truth is not in you. --- No one on the earth born of man and woman is sinless.

Yet, haven't you died now, and born again, INTO Christ? Who lives in you, Richard?

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Now, IF we believe it is no longer US, but Christ, why are you doubting the work of Christ in you? Christ is the overcomer who is IN us, we do not overcome w/out Him.

You are missing the entire point of Christ in us, we now have His nature, the Kingdom is in us, we are to walk as He walked, how do we do that if we are still be slaves to sin, you can serve only one master.
Luke 20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.

Here is another action verb for you - abideth.
1 John 2:6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
How do we walk around sinning AND walk as He walked?

There is power in the gosepl, there is power in us!
 

Thankful 1

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Really! then explain how you are going to get into heaven since you still sin. The scripture says that "if you say you have no sin the truth is not in you. --- No one on the earth born of man and woman is sinless.



The scriptures tell us that our faith overcomes the world, not our sinlessness.

Romans 7:24-25
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

If my body is not a body of death then how can Christ deliver me from it? Oh, I get it the person has to do that himself by not sinning.

25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
NKJV
Doesn't sound like the flesh ever stops sinning to me.

(1 John 1: 8-10)[sup] “[/sup]If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”



You need to see John was saying if one says he or she says they have never sinned they are liars.



If one is forgiven of all unrighteousness are they not then sinless? Could they then be liars if they say they are sinless?



John later says:



(1 John 3:3-9) “Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ. Any one who sins at all breaks the law, because to sin is to break the law. Now you know that He appeared in order to abolish sin, and that in Him there is no sin: anyone who lives in God does not sin, and anyone who sins has never seen Him or known Him. My children do not let anyone lead you astray’ to live a holy life is to be holy just as He is holy’ to lead a sinful life is to belong the Devil, since the Devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the Devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins: because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God.”



(1 John 3:8) “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work”



John told us those who did not know God sinned and asked forgiveness and were forgiven, but once a person comes to know God he or she will not sin.



Scripture goes on to say that if a person who does know God uses their free will to sin there is no repentance for that person.



(Hebrews 10:26-31) “If, after we have been given knowledge of the truth, we should deliberately commit any sins, then there is no longer any sacrifice for them. There is left only the dreadful prospect of judgment and of the fiery wrath that is to devour your enemies. Anyone who disregards the Law of Moses is ruthlessly put to death on the word of two witnesses or three; and you may be sure that anyone who tramples on the Son of God, and who treats the blood of the covenant which sanctified him as if it were not holy, and who insults the Spirit of grace, will be condemned to a far severer punishment. We are all aware who it was that said: Vengeance is mine; I will vindicate his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”



(Hebrews 6: 4) “As for those people who were once brought into the light, and tasted the gift from heaven, and received a share of the Holy Spirit, and appreciated the good message of God and the powers of the world to come and yet in spite of this have fallen away it is impossible for that to be renewed a second time. They cannot be repentant if they have willfully crucified the Son of God and openly mocked Him.”
 

RichardBurger

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Yet, haven't you died now, and born again, INTO Christ? Who lives in you, Richard?

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Now, IF we believe it is no longer US, but Christ, why are you doubting the work of Christ in you? Christ is the overcomer who is IN us, we do not overcome w/out Him.

You are missing the entire point of Christ in us, we now have His nature, the Kingdom is in us, we are to walk as He walked, how do we do that if we are still be slaves to sin, you can serve only one master.
Luke 20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.

Here is another action verb for you - abideth.
1 John 2:6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
How do we walk around sinning AND walk as He walked?

There is power in the gosepl, there is power in us!

Then explain why you still sin IN THE FLESH?

(1 John 1: 8-10)[sup] “[/sup]If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”



You need to see John was saying if one says he or she says they have never sinned they are liars.



If one is forgiven of all unrighteousness are they not then sinless? Could they then be liars if they say they are sinless?



John later says:



(1 John 3:3-9) “Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ. Any one who sins at all breaks the law, because to sin is to break the law. Now you know that He appeared in order to abolish sin, and that in Him there is no sin: anyone who lives in God does not sin, and anyone who sins has never seen Him or known Him. My children do not let anyone lead you astray’ to live a holy life is to be holy just as He is holy’ to lead a sinful life is to belong the Devil, since the Devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the Devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins: because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God.”



(1 John 3:8) “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work”



John told us those who did not know God sinned and asked forgiveness and were forgiven, but once a person comes to know God he or she will not sin.



Scripture goes on to say that if a person who does know God uses their free will to sin there is no repentance for that person.



(Hebrews 10:26-31) “If, after we have been given knowledge of the truth, we should deliberately commit any sins, then there is no longer any sacrifice for them. There is left only the dreadful prospect of judgment and of the fiery wrath that is to devour your enemies. Anyone who disregards the Law of Moses is ruthlessly put to death on the word of two witnesses or three; and you may be sure that anyone who tramples on the Son of God, and who treats the blood of the covenant which sanctified him as if it were not holy, and who insults the Spirit of grace, will be condemned to a far severer punishment. We are all aware who it was that said: Vengeance is mine; I will vindicate his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”



(Hebrews 6: 4) “As for those people who were once brought into the light, and tasted the gift from heaven, and received a share of the Holy Spirit, and appreciated the good message of God and the powers of the world to come and yet in spite of this have fallen away it is impossible for that to be renewed a second time. They cannot be repentant if they have willfully crucified the Son of God and openly mocked Him.”

Then explain why you still sin IN THE FLESH?

Was James confused? Or was he still preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, which included the Law?

James 2:20-21
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
(NKJ)

FACT! No, he was not! ---- He was accounted righteous before God several years earlier, BEFORE the birth of Isaac, and before he had done anything to "prove" his faith in God.

Genesis 15:4-6
4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."
5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
(NKJ)

FACT! Not only that, but God accounted him righteous solely for his faith in His Promises, and not by anything that he did. There is nothing in Genesis 15 that mentions any works that Abraham did. Paul accurately reports this. It seems that James did not consider the account in Genesis 15. It was not until Genesis 22, many years after Isaac was born, when Abraham was well over 100 years old, that he agreed to offer Isaac.
 

Thankful 1

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Dec 2, 2010
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Then explain why you still sin IN THE FLESH?



Then explain why you still sin IN THE FLESH?

Was James confused? Or was he still preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, which included the Law?

James 2:20-21
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
(NKJ)

FACT! No, he was not! ---- He was accounted righteous before God several years earlier, BEFORE the birth of Isaac, and before he had done anything to "prove" his faith in God.

Genesis 15:4-6
4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."
5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
(NKJ)

FACT! Not only that, but God accounted him righteous solely for his faith in His Promises, and not by anything that he did. There is nothing in Genesis 15 that mentions any works that Abraham did. Paul accurately reports this. It seems that James did not consider the account in Genesis 15. It was not until Genesis 22, many years after Isaac was born, when Abraham was well over 100 years old, that he agreed to offer Isaac.

Let me share something with you and it is for your good. Calvin, Luther, and all the theologians that you are using to justify your theology are wrong.



Jesus has been teaching me for over thirty years, and he has kept me free from Satan/sin for over thirty years.



In order to believe what you believe you need to disregard much of the written Word.



If James were out of order in any way the Holy Spirit would not have his letter included in scripture. What he said is said to us all, and applies to us all; the same as all of the Written Word.



You have ignored verses of scripture that I have post to you. Your theology is so full of holes that it sunk long time ago.



Do you realize that no one until Luther and Calvin accepted what you believe about God? The Early Church knew better.