Was James confused?

Deborah_ said:

If James' teaching is incompatible with Paul, then Paul's is incompatible with his own! He didn’t teach justification by faith alone in the sense of a faith that is disconnected from obedience; he expected believers to “demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20) and to work out their salvation (Philippians 2:12). He consistently taught his converts the importance of loving deeds as well as faith (e.g. Galatians 5:6; I Thessalonians 1:3; Colossians 1:3,4), and was as eager for them to show practical help to the poor as even James could wish (Galatians 2:10). So is his overall message essentially different from that of James? No! Love for one’s neighbour is not an optional extra, but integral to a genuine Christian faith.



That's not how I read Acts 15 & 21.
James seems to have been unwillingly co-opted into the legalists’ cause even in his own lifetime. Those who wanted to impose the Jewish Law on Gentile converts claimed to speak with his authority (Galatians 2:12), although he later denied any connection with them (Acts 15:24). But if James really had such fundamental objections to Paul’s version of the gospel, why did he (along with the other apostles) give it his official approval (Galatians 2:6-9)? Far from being a zealous promoter of the Jewish Law, the James that Luke portrays in Acts 15 and 21 is an influence for moderation and reconciliation, doing his best to draw together people on both sides of the argument.

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Paul said many times that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. That is contradictory to James saying faith is justified by works and we are not saved by faith alone.

FHII said:

You only partially quoted (referenced) Rom 4:2. Its says, " for if Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory, but not before God." the underlined part is important because James (perhaps unwittingly) said the same thing:

James 2:18 KJV
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.

James said he would show A MAN his faith by works. Paul said you have whereof to glory, but not before God.... Meaning if you have works it glorifies you in the eyes of men; not God.

Lets look at some other things that were said in light of this:

Ephesians 2:9 KJV
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It does not say lest he should boast. It says lest any man should boast. What am I getting at?

Galatians 6:13 KJV
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Your works don't count because God doesn't want you boasting about your works and he doesn't want others boasting about your works.

Also, consider Mat 6. We are to pray, give and fast, but not before others. If we do so, their recognition that you are so "godly" is your reward.

I saw earlier you stated that works are the evidence of faith. They are not. Faith doesn't need evidence. Faith IS the evidence of the unseen (Christ in you, the hope of glory). Any evidence of faith will also be unseen. So yes, I can believe in unseen works (I liken them to good works). But... They are all going to pertain to service of God.

If that is what James was apeaking of in hos epistle, I'd agree. Sadly though, through the book of Acts we see James was speaking of the law, which had been abolished. (Yes Richard...abolished! See 2 Cor 3)

I too believe Paul wasn't against works. But I believe through countless verses he makes a firm stance against them being neccessary for salvation or evidence of faith.

I'd also like to comment on Abraham, Isaac and Heb 11 because there is a big point that many miss: Abe had no problem with slaying Isaac! He wasn't fretting one bit about it.

But I will save that for another time.

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In light of the Lord Jesus Christ's teaching on faith who I beleive out ranks both Paul and James, it is clear to me James is taking his spiritual understand from the Lord's ministy.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it?

The question is "What good is claimed Faith if it is without works"
The focus is not on works but on the type of faith being boasted.

You see James understood clearly one of the attributes of faith is Mercy, which compells a person to act with compassion. They are some of the great works of faith when it is done for Christ's sake. But a faith without works is dead.

James then asks "Can that faith save him?" The answer is No. Faith must motivate action, and bring forth fruit to the glory of the Father.

Matthew 3:8; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:49; Romans 2:13-15; Galatians 5:6,13; 1 Thess. 1:3; Titus. 3:8; Hebrews. 11:7; 2 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:4-5. and so on.

If we truly look deeply into James reasoning I believe each time we are drawn to the Lord's ministry and his message.

Take for example the next verse in James 2:15 - taken from Matt. 25:35-40

When you said:

I saw earlier you stated that works are the evidence of faith. They are not. Faith doesn't need evidence. Faith IS the evidence of the unseen (Christ in you, the hope of glory). Any evidence of faith will also be unseen. So yes, I can believe in unseen works (I liken them to good works). But... They are all going to pertain to service of God.

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I would still maintain that Faith requires evidence becuase so much of the Lord's teaching were based on a working faith. Your comment on unseen evidence "Christ in you" really is Faith in action. If a person countenance has been changed by the Word of God working upon the heart and seen in a change of direction in ones life all this is evidence of a working faith. I agree these do pertain to the service of God.

I sense this subject is made more differcult because each writer is speaking into a different audience often with ideas and goals which often differ.

Don’t think I am disagreeing with you...I am for the most still allowing this subject to peculate and the OP offer some interesting thoughts.

F2F

FHII said:

Paul said many times that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. That is contradictory to James saying faith is justified by works and we are not saved by faith alone.

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Well, is it?
If Paul is focusing on Faith and Grace (in relation to salvation) and warning against the works of flesh / law, then Paul is correct.
If James is aiming to define the right type of faith (based in the Word of Jesus) which works mercy, love and compassion then James is also correct.

Copperhead said:

ScottA hit it pretty close.

I have generally held that "works" James was talking about was more associated with works of the spirit, like Paul....

Galatians 5:19-23 (NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

This is a contrasting argument. Paul shows what the works of the flesh are and then immediately counters it with fruit of the Spirit. Fruit here can be translated as works or labors and still be in the meaning of what the Greek word karpos is intended. Do a basic word study on that word and it will be clear. Many translators got lazy and just used the word fruit instead of trying to bring across to the reader the contrast Paul was making. This is where dynamic equivalence in translation would help.

So James is not necessarily claiming a "works righteousness" by some strict adherence to legalistic practices, but one of outward example of the works of the Spirit being evident. Faith without works of the Spirit is dead. If one has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, it will flow out of him in works of the Spirit that are mentioned in the above passage from Paul to the Galatians. Take a look at believers around you sphere of existence, and you can tell from their works of the Spirit if they have actually been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Sure, we all stumble, but that should be the exception not the norm. We are a work in progress.

And those works of the Spirit mentioned will result in the things James was talking about. Caring for those in need, being there to comfort a fellow believer, and other acts of love and kindness to others for example.

I see no conflict by James to what Paul was teaching. Remember, Paul primarily wrote to gentile believers, where as James, being the head of the Jerusalem church, focused more on Jewish believers. The language that he used that would resonate with those primarily from a Jewish background, and can sometimes trip up those who are not of that background.

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Hmmm..the following scriptures backs up this assertion, that Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to establish the law within our hearts.

The law written in our hearts:

(Jeremiah 31:31-34) "¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: {32} Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: {33} But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. {34} And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

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(Romans 2:26-29) "Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? {27} And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? {28} For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

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The law fulfilled by Jesus Christ:

(Romans 8:2-4) "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

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(Romans 3:28-31) "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. {29} Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: {30} Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. {31} Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

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(Luke 24:44-48) "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. {45} Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, {46} And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: {47} And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} And ye are witnesses of these things."

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(Revelation 14:12-13) "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. {13} 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."

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(Revelation 22:11-15) "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. {12} And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. {13} I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. {14} Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. {15} For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

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James stated that if you break one law you are guilty of breaking all of it of which no man has ever or will ever achieve save Jesus. So when Revelation speaks of a blessing for those who uphold God's commandments, its not by the deeds of the flesh but by the deeds of the spirit through Jesus Christ who fulfilled those commandments.

(Galatians 3:8-10) "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. {9} So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. {10} For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

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Your works are justified by your faith, not the other way around. If your faith was justified by your works, or your sins then it is those works by which you will be judged, and you cannot claim to be saved. This is what it means to have salvation through Jesus Christ. Its about being saved from the the lake of fire judgement, which is for unbelievers who are to be judged according to their works. As believers, we are given a different judgement, spoken about copiously throughout the new testament.

(2 Corinthians 5:8-10) "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. {9} Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. {10} 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."

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The judgement of those of the first resurrection:

(Revelation 20:4) "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

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The judgement of those of the second Resurrection:

(Revelation 20:11-12) "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

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(Romans 8:1-2) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

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In other words, you will not face the lake of fire judgement. Hopefully this puts the issue of works vs grace to rest, because I am tired of seeing endless threads pop up about it.

Dcopymope said:

Hmmm..the following scriptures backs up this assertion, that Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to establish the law within our hearts.

The law written in our hearts:



The law fulfilled by Jesus Christ:











James stated that if you break one law you are guilty of breaking all of it of which no man has ever or will ever achieve save Jesus. So when Revelation speaks of a blessing for those who uphold God's commandments, its not by the deeds of the flesh but by the deeds of the spirit through Jesus Christ who fulfilled those commandments.



Your works are justified by your faith, not the other way around. If your faith was justified by your works, or your sins then it is those works by which you will be judged, and you cannot claim to be saved. This is what it means to have salvation through Jesus Christ. Its about being saved from the the lake of fire judgement, which is for unbelievers who are to be judged according to their works. As believers, we are given a different judgement, spoken about copiously throughout the new testament.



The judgement of those of the first resurrection:

The judgement of those of the second Resurrection:



In other words, you will not face the lake of fire judgement. Hopefully this puts the issue of works vs grace to rest, because I am tired of seeing endless threads pop up about it.

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All true, to a point. That the Torah has been fulfilled in Messiah is true.... to those that place their trust in Him. We are free of the penalty of the Mosaic Law, Torah, but we are under the Law of the Spirit if we are in Messiah. So we are under the Law, so to speak.

Romans 7:4 (NKJV Strong's,) Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

Romans 7:12 (NKJV Strong's,) Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Romans 8:2 (NKJV Strong's,) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:9 (NKJV Strong's,) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

And this is what James was referring to when he meant works of faith... the Law of the Liberty (Spirit)

James 2:12 (NKJV Strong's,) So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty

And he stated this just before the passage regarding faith without works is dead. Context is paramount. We will be judged by the Law, but it is the Law of the Spirit. In that case, whether they are deeds done in the Spirit and are worthy of rewards or are deeds done in the flesh that will be burned up.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (KJV Strong's) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

H. Richard said:

face2face, why is it that you discount what Paul writes to the world when it was Jesus that gave him the gospel of grace for the world?

Jesus, by His own words, said He ONLY came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Don't you believe Him? What He taught was to those under the Law of Moses. IMO it is pathetic that those who say they only listen to Jesus refuse to listen to Him when He said the following.
Matt 10:5-7 (NKJ)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
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Matt 15:23-24 (NKJ)
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
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Paul said: Rom 15:8 (NKJ)
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
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Note that in Matt 10:5-7 and Matt 15:23-24 Jesus said He did not come EXCEPT to the house of Israel. Jesus came to confirm/fulfill all that was written of Him in the O.T. His mission was to the Jews, not to the Gentiles. This is what Paul meant in Rom 15:8. -- But most will not believe that Matt. 10:5-7 and Matt. 15:23-24 actually means what it says.

Jesus sent Paul to proclaim this age of Gods's grace based on the shed blood of Jesus on the cross when He, Jesus, paid (atoned) for ALL the sins of the world. But it is obvious that the religious do not want anyone to believe it. If anyone thinks they are still under the sin curse they do not believe Jesus paid for their sins and are therefore still under the curse because of unbelief.

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I am still working on your OP which was focused on James and whether he was confused. I agree with your above comments. Have you established a confused James, or a James who is observing faith with an exhortation in mind ?

James Chapter 2 reveals that Faith should motivate the actions of one towards another. (agree?)
It will enable a person to discern beyond mere externals to true values within. (agree?)

That being said there was a common failure of conduct among Jews back then, which was more pronounced due to their honour and shame culture.

The warning of Partiality.

He shows how incongruous that is to people of faith. It is contrary to the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. It does not fulfil the royal law of love. Would those who indulge in this failing like partiality to be shown to them at the Judgment Seat? In demonstrating how faith can motivate action, James cites the
cases of Abraham and Rahab: the former the father of the faithful, the latter a Gentile outside the covenant of promise.

In each case faith was the vital principle, but it was demonstrated by works. Upon this he observes that a faith which does not express itself in conduct is as dead as a body from which the spirit has departed.

If you believe faith is static unmoving and totally unseen then I can see why the book of James challenges your faith about faith.

James 2:1 could be a huge hurdle to overcome.

"My brethren, have not (hold not) the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of Gory with respect of persons"

The Lord Jesus Christ was not one who manifested partiality, nor did he favour the rich of the world.
Nevertheless his present title, as here expressed by James, speaks of his elevation (Acts 2:36). It is a reminder that if we manifest his faith in action we can
become as he is.

Greek word prospolempsia signifies to respect the faces of others as in Leviticus 19:15. See Luke 20:21; Romans. 2:11; Jude 16.

Clearly the Jerusalem church had problems which James felt needed addressing. We know the rich were oppressing the poor and the poor were envious of the rich. James reminded them that partiality in judgment was strictly prohibited by the Law. See Deut. 1:17; 10:17; Proverbs. 24:23; James 3:17.
Supporting references: Prov. 28:21; 1 Timothy 5:21.

During my studies of James I have found he takes meaning from the Proverbs and Matthew 5-7.

The Faith of Jesus Christ is in view here and its difficult to suggest otherwise.

F2F

FHII said:

Paul said many times that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. That is contradictory to James saying faith is justified by works and we are not saved by faith alone.

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What great posts by some!!
I just read that someone is tired of this subject.
That's a shame because it's a very important subject.

We have something going on in churches today that is contrary to the Christianity that has been known and accepted for the past 2,000 years.

Maybe we've taken "saved by faith alone" a little too far?

I honestly don't see a contradiction between Paul and James.
James said that faith without works is dead.
Plain and simple.

Paul also believed in works.
Does he not say in Romans 12:1 to present ourselves a living sacrifice?
This means we must become the slaves of God as in Romans 6:16.
He also says not to be conformed to this world, Romans 12:2

Paul gives a whole list of behaviors we are to avoid...
Romans 13:8-13

Then in Romans 15:4 Paul tells us that through perseverance we might have hope through what was written in earlier times FOR OUR INSTRUCTION.

What instruction?

It seems clear tome that BOTH Paul and James did agree that works are necessary.

Paul made remarks that might make it seem that works are not necessary, but this is only seen by those who seem to not WANT to do works.

GodsGrace said:

What great posts by some!!
I just read that someone is tired of this subject.
That's a shame because it's a very important subject.

We have something going on in churches today that is contrary to the Christianity that has been known and accepted for the past 2,000 years.

Maybe we've taken "saved by faith alone" a little too far?

I honestly don't see a contradiction between Paul and James.
James said that faith without works is dead.
Plain and simple.

Paul also believed in works.
Does he not say in Romans 12:1 to present ourselves a living sacrifice?
This means we must become the slaves of God as in Romans 6:16.
He also says not to be conformed to this world, Romans 12:2

Paul gives a whole list of behaviors we are to avoid...
Romans 13:8-13

Then in Romans 15:4 Paul tells us that through perseverance we might have hope through what was written in earlier times FOR OUR INSTRUCTION.

What instruction?

It seems clear tome that BOTH Paul and James did agree that works are necessary.

Paul made remarks that might make it seem that works are not necessary, but this is only seen by those who seem to not WANT to do works.

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Agree. Some good posts.
"Show me your faith by your yours"... Once a person understands that the works James is speaking about are the works that automatically flow outward from our inner man of the Spirit, (and not from works of trying to add-works to our salvation) then we see no conflict between Paul and James.
The " Ought to" works that some teach are what muddies the waters.
....H

H. Richard said:

***
So you say He came to do what????? The scriptures tell us why He came and it isn't what you say.

Paul said: Rom 15:8 (NKJ)
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

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Uh huh, which is the point I made quoting the following scripture that you conveniently left out, I guess so you can make some kind of point.

(Luke 24:43-48) "And he took it, and did eat before them. {44} And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. {45} Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, {46} And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: {47} And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} And ye are witnesses of these things."

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Fulfilling the things written thereof by Moses, by the book of psalms and the Prophets is another way of saying "to confirm the promises made unto the fathers".

H. Richard said:

***

What people refuse to see is that '''IF''' you are under the Law of Moses you have to do the works of the Law or your faith is dead. James was writing to Jews who were under the Law James 1:1.

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But Jesus had died and resurrected. Was not James himself a born again believer? That same verse to which you refer uses the words "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ". Was he writing to people who did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Was he writing to people who were simply serving God as they had before Jesus came? If he was then why would not his words have been working to help them understand the new covenant rather than to strengthen the old?

Our starting point is [or should be?] that each and every book in the NT was written by men under the inspiration of God. This includes the writings of BOTH James and Paul. Rather than working to throw out one of them or part of one of them, why not ask God to help you understand what seems to you to be contradictions or discrepancies.

Why do people keep trying to put those under grace under the Law of Moses?

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Is that being done? Humor me who has not read all of the long pages of this thread by explaining simply what you mean.

H. Richard said:

No one is arguing against doing good for others is the right thing to do. But doing works to establish a person's salvation is under the Law of Moses and today no one is under the Law of Moses.

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It seems that people can either 'see it' or not.
No one is saying that there are no works that the Christian life produces.

The works that are NOT required are anything that Christians do because they have been told they must do ( either told by man, or told by the Enemy!)

Any Christian who does NOT automatically produce good fruit because the Kingdom is within them...is in my book not worth his salt.
Doing 'works' believing that this is required of us to keep our salvation , or add to it, is a deception.
And I believe that false teaching will be with us unto the end of time. It is bondage, and will go up in flames as 'wood, hay, and stubble.'
But even in saying that, people will either have their inner eyes open to see this, or they wont...it can only be seen "be the Spirit"...talking wont ever do it.

H. Richard said:

Why do people keep trying to put those under grace under the Law of Moses?

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Maybe they didn't get the memo that believers are righteous by the blood of Jesus and they are waddling around in grave clothes, looking ridiculous, because they don't read their memos.

The stone is the ministry of death and it must be rolled away and the grave clothes must come off.

John 11:39, “Take away the stone,” Jesus said.

We take away the stone, which is the law in their lives and we also remove their grave clothes, one bandage at a time, otherwise, it will hurt like hell. We are instructed to do this by Jesus in the story of Lazarus.

John 11:44, Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Preach Jesus to them and let them know that righteousness can only come through Him and all their sins are forgiven and the law, which was never meant for them in the first place, will only bring condemnation into their lives.

2 Corinthians 3:9, If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!