Grace, Faith, Works, Paul, James

[tomwebster]

Grace, Faith, Works, Paul, JamesEph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jas 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. Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. So how do you justify these two texts? The word we need to look at is "WORKS." Are Paul and James talking about the same thing? No! When Paul uses the term "works" here he is using a figure of speech that would have been well understood by his reader back then. Think of Paul's term "works" as meaning "works of the law" ie: circumcision, ceremonial cleansing, etc. The church leaders of his day wanted new gentile Christian males to be circumcised in order to become Christian. Paul is saying, NO! You do not need to follow ceremonial law.James is not talking about "works of the law" when he uses the term "works." He is talking about the things we do that shows our love for God and our trust in God, it's being a doer of the Word not just a hearer. It's the "cup of cold water" we give when someone is thirsty" etc. Re-read James with this idea of "Works" in mind and it might make more sense to you.

 

[Red_Letters88]

Nice summary of what can be a confusing topic to new Christians. One thing I learned- when I was learning this lesson myself was- Through Christ, God GIVES salvation- because of our faith in him. The works have their place- but their place is AFTER salvation. Once you know what you have- simply SHARE it- which is works. To new Christians and and catholics- if you dont quite understand this- pray. From what Ive seen with both is- they (even I) try to focus TOO MUCH on works and too much of self-righteousness. This is taking works out of their place- creating a very confusing relationship with God. Heres the miracle equation for all this "works, faith, justification, salvation" deal---- Through trust and love, Put the Lord first- then these "works" will become a part of you without even trying.

 

[tomwebster]

(tomwebster;57308)
Grace, Faith, Works, Paul, James....
In addition: I believe James was also talking about "works" as things that determine if God’s grace has really changed us; knowing who Jesus is by studying the Word of God (remember Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is the Word, all of it. "Study to show thyself approved unto God …"), repenting when we sin, And what about FAITH:Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Read 1 John--to be continued.

 

[johnchao]

(tomwebster;57308)
Grace, Faith, Works, Paul, JamesEph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast...
Thanks for your verses, Tom. Now I'd love to focus on Eph2:8-9, and try to find its meaning in the Bible. Grace in the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit (Ti3:6-7), and is to be our king and commander (Isa55:3-4).Faith comes by haring the word of GOD (Rom10:17).What Paul speaks is the word of GOD (Ac13:44-45). And the word of GOD is the name of Jesus (Rev19:11-13), and the word of GOD is Jesus our Savior (Ti2:9-10). The breath Jesus speaks through the mouth of Paul is the Holy Spirit (Jn20:21-22).Will this help understand these two well-known and often-quoted verses more clearly and deeply?Blessings!

 

[treeoflife]

It makes sense to me because when I read James I realize that James is speaking of faith (the subject) being dead. Faith is the subject, which dies, apart from works (not the person whom's faith may die, or be dead). We are saved by grace, through faith; not of works, lest any man boast. Works of the law (the commandments are works of the law Romans 7:6-7), works or any good deed. Our faith (without works) also does not profit the *body*. James gives the illustration of saying to a person "be warmed", but doing nothing. Such a person in need, if nobody has *works* to provide for them, the person will suffer and die."Without works faith is dead."We should, as Christians, live lives of faith. Not because we are saved by our works, at all... but as James tells us that we will be justified by our works--James is not speaking of our salvation, by works of the law... James is speaking of rewards, our judgment before the throne as Christians. We're on our way to heaven, we are saved, but we will in fact be justified or not by our works when rewards are given out.

Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.​

We are saved (justified for salvation) by the faith of Christ. It is His faithfulness that saves us, and His faith never fails. Praise Him, for HIS WORK!