A Study of the book of James:

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H. Richard

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These are my personal observations based on what the scriptures “””actually say.””” .

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, are just rationalizations to advance a false gospel.

One must understand that Paul addressed his letters to the Gentile 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 church (assembly) that Paul’s letters were addressed

The study:

Was James confused? Or was he still preaching the Gospel of the promised 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. Check it out in Genesis 15:4-6 below..

Genesis 15:4-6 (NKJ)
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.

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 to show his faith. 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.

People can, and will, argue this until they are blue in the face but it does not change the FACTS as shown in Genesis.

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 FAITH but only on works of the law and is not for this age of God’s grace.

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

In reference to verse 2 above we can see that today many in religions boast in their works.
 

justbyfaith

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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, are just rationalizations to advance a false gospel.

In this you appear to be saying that James was preaching a false gospel; which is a step above what you said before, that his book is merely intended not for Gentiles. If it is a false gospel, then it is spiritual poison for the Jew as well as the Gentile.

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. Check it out in Genesis 15:4-6 below..

Actually, you need to take all of scripture into account:

Heb 11:17, By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.


Abraham's faith was made perfect by his behaviour that demonstrated what he truly believed.

11. The shed blood of Jesus on the cross is not mentioned.

The epistle of James is primarily instructional and practical; its purpose is not to preach the gospel, but to exhort believers (who already know the gospel) towards love and good works.

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.

This scripture proves my point quite nicely. It says "if Abraham were justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God."

Abraham was indeed justified by works...just not before God. Those who look on the outward appearance can see Abraham's faith by what he did. God, who looks on the heart, saw Abraham's faith before he ever did anything. Therefore, before God, Abraham was justified by faith alone; but before man, he is justified (declared righteous) by his works. Now consider that Jesus is both God and Man. Therefore works will have a part to play in our final judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15). But the decision is already made based on the fact of whether or not we have faith alone in Christ; which is invisible except when we do good works that demonstrate what we truly believe in to the world. Our names are written in the book of life based on faith alone; but God will be justified before man in justifying those who believe because of what is written in those other books; even if the only work a person does is to blink their eyes saying, "I receive Christ" while on their deathbed (while I generally believe that confession with the mouth is necessary).
 

H. Richard

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In this you appear to be saying that James was preaching a false gospel; which is a step above what you said before, that his book is merely intended not for Gentiles. If it is a false gospel, then it is spiritual poison for the Jew as well as the Gentile.



Actually, you need to take all of scripture into account:

Heb 11:17, By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.


Abraham's faith was made perfect by his behaviour that demonstrated what he truly believed.



The epistle of James is primarily instructional and practical; its purpose is not to preach the gospel, but to exhort believers (who already know the gospel) towards love and good works.



This scripture proves my point quite nicely. It says "if Abraham were justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God."

Abraham was indeed justified by works...just not before God. Those who look on the outward appearance can see Abraham's faith by what he did. God, who looks on the heart, saw Abraham's faith before he ever did anything. Therefore, before God, Abraham was justified by faith alone; but before man, he is justified (declared righteous) by his works. Now consider that Jesus is both God and Man. Therefore works will have a part to play in our final judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15). But the decision is already made based on the fact of whether or not we have faith alone in Christ; which is invisible except when we do good works that demonstrate what we truly believe in to the world. Our names are written in the book of life based on faith alone; but God will be justified before man in justifying those who believe because of what is written in those other books; even if the only work a person does is to blink their eyes saying, "I receive Christ" while on their deathbed (while I generally believe that confession with the mouth is necessary).

actually you ought to see the truth. Go to Acts 21:20 and say again that James and Paul were teaching the same thing.

Look, if you wish to ignore the inconsistency in the facts I brought out in the OP then that is your problem, not mine.

As for me the book of James was not written to me and I refuse to believe those that say it is.

You, in your religious zeal, want me to believe James when he said "faith without works is dead, because James said it It sure can be used to make people believe that they HAVE TO HAVE WORKS.

I can also warn you that the Holy Spirit did not lie in James 1:1. You make it a lie if you continue to say it is written to Gentiles under grace. Any fool can see that the religious Jews persecuted Paul for teaching that people are no longer under the law. That is what was going on in Act 21:20 but the religious just stick their heads in the sand and refuse to see that there is a great difference between works of the Law and grace.

Those believing Jews wanted to kill Paul because he was teaching the Jews that they were no longer under the Law of Moses. And it seems the religious want to kill those who teach that the works of man are not necessary for salvation. All that is required is that a person places their belief, faith, trust, and confidence in what God (Jesus) did on the cross.

But that is too simple for the religious. They just have to say, and teach, that a person has to earn salvation by what they do..

You said "Abraham's faith was made perfect by his behaviour that demonstrated what he truly believed." Show me the proof. Where is that found in scripture?
 

justbyfaith

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actually you ought to see the truth. Go to Acts 21:20 and say again that James and Paul were teaching the same thing.

Act 21:20, And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Indeed, they were zealous of the law. And there is nothing wrong with that, if you understand what the law is for.

Jesus said,

Mat 5:17, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20, For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.


What is the law for except that it is a schoolmaster to lead men to Christ? (for Paul is the author of Galatians 3:24-25).

It should also be clear that the law defines sin (1 John 3:4, Romans 3:20); and it is also written,

1Co 15:34, Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The law of the Lord is written on the hearts and in the minds of all those who are under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:8-10, Hebrews 10:16).

The love of the Lord is shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit (Romans 5:5); and this love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6; Romans 8:4). It is not in word or in tongue only but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18). It is also the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14).

And it seems the religious want to kill those who teach that the works of man are not necessary for salvation. All that is required is that a person places their belief, faith, trust, and confidence in what God (Jesus) did on the cross.

I am in agreement with you here. I would add that if anyone places their belief, faith, trust, and confidence in what God (Jesus) did on the cross, that they are also made into a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17 (kjv)); filled with the love of the Lord which is the fulfilling of the law. Therefore if anyone is not obedient to the law of the Lord (in spirit: I am not talking about the letter here per se), they can take it as a sign that they are not redeemed.

If we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, there is no law that our behaviour will be in violation of (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we abide in Jesus (through faith alone), we will bear much good fruit (John 15:4-5). It is written,

Tit 3:14, And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

That being said, the key to salvation is not the doing of good works. We do not abide in Christ through the bearing of good fruit; but through simple faith in Him and in His finished work. However, if we are truly abiding, fruit will develop out of our lives. But the key is not to focus on what we do; but on who He is. We are transformed into the same image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18), when we behold Him as in a mirror. Therefore the key to being right with the Lord is to cultivate a relationship with Christ.

He stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears His voice, and opens the door, He will come in to them, and will sup with them, and they with Him. It is a literal feast that is set forth to us in God's word. All we need to do is to partake of it with Him being present there with us. It has been said that if you don't understand a book, but have a relationship with the author, all you have to do is to ask Him what He means by what He said.

You said "Abraham's faith was made perfect by his behaviour that demonstrated what he truly believed." Show me the proof. Where is that found in scripture?

I already told you. But here it is again:

Heb 11:17, By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Abraham believed the LORD in Genesis 15:6. But I ask you, what did He believe? it was God's promise that His seed would be as the sand on the seashore and as the multitude of the stars in heaven. Later on in Genesis, it was said that this promise would be ratified through Isaac (not Ishmael, who was the child of the flesh), (see also Hebrews 11:18; Genesis 21:12). Now, when Isaac was not yet married to Rebecca (which happened in Genesis 24), and therefore had not yet borne Jacob and Esau, God told Abraham to sacrifice the promised seed on an altar on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22). If Abraham obeyed, the established seed would not develop (unless God raised Isaac from the dead); because Isaac had no children at that point. Abraham believed in the LORD even to the extent that he believed that He would raise Isaac from the dead; because if He didn't, the established seed would never come to fruition.

His work of being willing to sacrifice Isaac (for the LORD stopped him before he could go through with the sacrifice) was indicative of Abraham's faith that he had in the LORD's promise in Genesis 15. It was the natural outworking of that faith.

It is, indeed, the proof to those who look on the outward appearance, that Abraham's faith (which was invisible up to that point except to the LORD) truly existed.
 
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H. Richard

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[Heb 11:17 KJV] 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

Where does it say that he was accounted as righteous by this work?
 

justbyfaith

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[Heb 11:17 KJV] 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

Where does it say that he was accounted as righteous by this work?
He did the work by faith; and he was accounted righteous through the faith that produced this work.

So then, he was not accounted righteous by the work; but the work resulted out of the faith that justified him: and there is a sense in which they are not to be separated when it comes to justification. Before man, Abraham's justification was by works (James 2:24).

For you acknowledge that James is inspired scripture, although you deny it is written to Gentile believers. But I would say, that if it is inspired scripture, that every verse of it contains the absolute truth; for that is the nature of holy scripture. Therefore you cannot completely discount it; for even if it is not written to you it is profitable for doctrine: and therefore we are not wrong to derive our doctrine out of it.
 
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justbyfaith

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You, in your religious zeal, want me to believe James when he said "faith without works is dead, because James said it It sure can be used to make people believe that they HAVE TO HAVE WORKS.

1 John 3:17-18 can easily and accurately be construed as saying that faith without works is dead, if you count it in conjunction with Galatians 3:14 and Romans 5:5.

It is not that we have to have works; or that we must try and try and try to do good works in order to save ourselves; but it is that if we have a genuine bona fide faith in Jesus Christ, the love of the Lord will be shed abroad in our heart. And this love is not in word or in tongue only but is always in deed and in truth. So that if our brother is in need, we will not neglect to help him; thus we will walk in the works that the Lord has prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10, written by none other than Paul).
 
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justbyfaith

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I can also warn you that the Holy Spirit did not lie in James 1:1. You make it a lie if you continue to say it is written to Gentiles under grace.
It was indeed written to the children of Israel who are scattered abroad.

However, the children of Israel are not saved any differently than are Gentiles:

Act 15:7, And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8, And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9, And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10, Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11, But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Therefore, since Jews are saved in the same manner as Gentiles, an epistle written to Jews is not going to say anything that cannot be transferred to Gentile believers; what is good for the Jew is good for the Gentile, since the Jew and the Gentile are not saved any differently.

Gentiles are saved by grace; Jews are saved by grace.

Therefore the epistle of James is written to a group of people who are saved by grace.

And therefore, it is also applicable to Gentiles who are saved in the same fashion as Jews.
 
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H. Richard

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He did the work by faith; and he was accounted righteous through the faith that produced this work.

So then, he was not accounted righteous by the work; but the work resulted out of the faith that justified him: and there is a sense in which they are not to be separated when it comes to justification. Before man, Abraham's justification was by works (James 2:24).

For you acknowledge that James is inspired scripture, although you deny it is written to Gentile believers. But I would say, that if it is inspired scripture, that every verse of it contains the absolute truth; for that is the nature of holy scripture. Therefore you cannot completely discount it; for even if it is not written to you it is profitable for doctrine: and therefore we are not wrong to derive our doctrine out of it.

Profitable? All it does for those under grace is to make them place faith in what they do.

You just don't get it do you. IMHO, all James is writing to in the Jews who were under the law and you and others want to use it to put the children of God back under the law of works. Those that use James are doing what the Judizers did to Paul's converts.

If you love the book of James then you do all that he says to do. But what he wrote was not to me and your saying it is, is saying the Holy Spirit left the word Gentiles out. Give it up, you will never convince me that a book, that is not directed to me, is written to me. I totally believe what I wrote in the OP. You can believe what you wish to believe.

Matt 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign (Mark 8:11-13; Luke 12:54-56) 16 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red';
3 and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.
NKJV

Mark 8:11-12
11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.
12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
NKJV

The religious say we must show our good works to get people to accept Christ but they replace the word Christ with religious works.

It is a true saying that what the world sees in religion is a lot of hypocrites who say they do not sin like others do and all the time they sin to.
 

justbyfaith

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Profitable? All it does for those under grace is to make them place faith in what they do.

So, are you saying that the book of James is a false gospel, and uninspired? Because if it is inspired holy scripture then it is profitable for doctrine, 2 Timothy 3:16.

And I also do not place my faith in what I do because of James. I do recognize that it teaches that if I have a living faith in Jesus, I will be a doer of the word and not a hearer only.

It is a true saying that what the world sees in religion is a lot of hypocrites who say they do not sin like others do and all the time they sin to.

It is a prayer of mine that the world will no longer be able to use that as an excuse; that the Lord might remove hypocrisy from His (visible) church.

The answer is not for us to go around saying, "I'm a sinner saved by grace" for that is only seen as more hypocrisy.

No, rather it is to be obedient to the following scripture:

1Co 15:34, Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
 

Giuliano

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You said "Abraham's faith was made perfect by his behaviour that demonstrated what he truly believed." Show me the proof. Where is that found in scripture?
That comes when God told Abraham to perfect himself later. That was when he was ninety nine.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Abraham was not sure if he heard God right about Isaac. What he was told was ambiguous. Many translations got it wrong. It does not say God ordered him to "offer" Isaac as a sacrifice. It actually says, "cause him to ascend there for a burnt-offering" as Young's Literal Translation puts it. It could mean Isaac was to be the burnt offering, it could also mean to take him along for the burnt offering of something else.

Abraham was confused. That is why he didn't get a servant to saddle his ass.

Abraham believed it was the latter. He believed God was good and wouldn't demand a human sacrifice, but he wasn't sure. He was fairly confident however since he told the young men with them, "Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." He also told Isaac, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together."

Abraham was right. God did not want a human sacrifice. Nevertheless, Abraham was willing to give God whatever was required, even if he didn't understand. Some also think he may also have thought Isaac would be resurrected if offered as a sacrifice. In any case, he showed his faith in God by his obedience when put to the test.
 

justbyfaith

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God eventually required a human sacrifice; and that human sacrifice was also Him; God come in human flesh. Jesus came from heaven to earth, becoming a Man; and then proceeded to sacrifice Himself for us on the Cross.

And it is definitely true according to scripture (Hebrews 11:17-19, esp. v.19) that Abraham believed that God would even raise Isaac from the dead.
 

Enoch111

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James wrote his letter to the Jews who were scattered over the other countries (James 1:1).
You started off with a fallacy. James was addressing HEBREW CHRISTIANS in his epistle (scattered abroad, just like Peter), and Paul was addressing HEBREW CHRISTIANS in the epistle to the Hebrews (no matter where located).

But just because Hebrew Christians were being addressed did not mean that New Covenant principles were being set aside or Gentile Christians did not need those letters. Quite the opposite. Both writers were establishing the New Covenant and the Law of Christ, which is the Law of Liberty, which is also the Law of Love.

You hate the epistle of James because according to you Christians can sit on their hands after they are saved, and do not need to do any good works. And both James and Paul will tell you that if you fail to do any good works, then you were not really saved.
 

justbyfaith

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It is not that we are saved by the works; but it is that works are the normal outcome of a living faith.

Even according to Paul (Ephesians 2:8-10).
 
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Giuliano

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Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
 
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H. Richard

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That comes when God told Abraham to perfect himself later. That was when he was ninety nine.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Abraham was not sure if he heard God right about Isaac. What he was told was ambiguous. Many translations got it wrong. It does not say God ordered him to "offer" Isaac as a sacrifice. It actually says, "cause him to ascend there for a burnt-offering" as Young's Literal Translation puts it. It could mean Isaac was to be the burnt offering, it could also mean to take him along for the burnt offering of something else.

Abraham was confused. That is why he didn't get a servant to saddle his ass.

Abraham believed it was the latter. He believed God was good and wouldn't demand a human sacrifice, but he wasn't sure. He was fairly confident however since he told the young men with them, "Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." He also told Isaac, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together."

Abraham was right. God did not want a human sacrifice. Nevertheless, Abraham was willing to give God whatever was required, even if he didn't understand. Some also think he may also have thought Isaac would be resurrected if offered as a sacrifice. In any case, he showed his faith in God by his obedience when put to the test.

When it said ""I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and will come again to you" Abraham was confident that God would let him and the lad return to them. Again it is faith in God that makes people righteous in God's eyes.

Thanks for your input.
 

H. Richard

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You started off with a fallacy. James was addressing HEBREW CHRISTIANS in his epistle (scattered abroad, just like Peter), and Paul was addressing HEBREW CHRISTIANS in the epistle to the Hebrews (no matter where located).

But just because Hebrew Christians were being addressed did not mean that New Covenant principles were being set aside or Gentile Christians did not need those letters. Quite the opposite. Both writers were establishing the New Covenant and the Law of Christ, which is the Law of Liberty, which is also the Law of Love.

You hate the epistle of James because according to you Christians can sit on their hands after they are saved, and do not need to do any good works. And both James and Paul will tell you that if you fail to do any good works, then you were not really saved.

No where in the book of James is it written that Jesus' shed blood on the cross pays for the sins of the whole world. In his book he never once mentions the very basis of salvation under grace.

If you love the book do as it says. Personally it wasn't written to me so it is not for me.
 

Enoch111

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No where in the book of James is it written that Jesus' shed blood on the cross pays for the sins of the whole world.
Neither does Jude, or 2nd and 3rd John. Each book has its own purpose, and every book is divinely inspired.
In his book he never once mentions the very basis of salvation under grace.
Well this statement should suffice: My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (James 2:1)

No man can call Jesus "Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. "Lord Jesus Christ" speaks of the grace of God, who has made Jesus both Lord and Christ for our salvation (see Acts 2:36). And "the Lord of glory" means that James acknowledges the deity of Christ, the Lord from Heaven.
 
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justbyfaith

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No where in the book of James is it written that Jesus' shed blood on the cross pays for the sins of the whole world.
James is primarily a practical and instructional book: its purpose was to exhort Christians toward love and good works (see Hebrews 10:24); not to preach the gospel to unbelievers. It was basically written to those who already believe; to those who are rooted and grounded in the understanding that Jesus died for them on the Cross and rose again the third day.

So, @H. Richard,

If you need a book that preaches the gospel to you, perhaps you are still in need of being saved through the gospel.

But if you have been saved through the gospel, the epistle of James is for you. It is inspired and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.

Therefore, even if it is not written to you, it remains that it is profitable for doctrine. Which means that you can receive teaching out of it that will profit you in your heart and spirit and soul.

If you deny the reality of this, then I do not feel the need to continue discussing this with you. I will only say that you are robbing yourself of a blessing.

Because James in no way contradicts Paul's contention that we are justified apart from works (Romans 4:5-6). James' and Paul's statements go hand-in-hand, if you will only study to shew yourself approved as to the nuances of how the passages reconcile to each other.
 
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