The Book of James, an opinion

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Phoneman777

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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)

Okay, then how do you explain this?
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
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)

It seems that 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.

Neither of those last two statements are in 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.

What James wrote, as shown above, are 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.

The religious who advocate works can 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 of Moses. Since the word of God has to be based on truth, I find the book of James is not based on FAITH in Christ’s work on the cross but only on works of the law and is not for this age of God’s grace. The very fact that it was addressed to Jews (James 1:1) is more proof that it was only for the Jews who were under the law.

It remains to be seen that the religious will try to destroy what I have written by attacking me, personally, and it will show that they want people to believe we are under the law in this age of God’s grace. They can easily attack me but they can not say that the scriptures I have presented do not say what I have reported them to say.

Under grace a person must place their faith (belief) in God’s promise of salvation based on their belief in what He (Jesus) did on the cross where He paid for the sins of the whole world. Through the gospel of grace that was given to Paul God, Himself, paid for the sins of the world and a person has to believe it to have salvation. If they do not then they are condemned because they do not believe God.

Written by H. Richard 2019
Paul and James are not face to face fighting each other over whether we're saved by grace or works, they are back to back fighting the two great errors of Satan which lie on either side of the path of the righteous: the one ditch called Legalism and the other one called License.
  • Those who insist their faith exempts them from their obligation to obey God's commandments are rebuked by James for attempting to obtain by dead faith that which can only be obtained by living faith.
  • Those who insist they can obtain it by works are rebuked by Paul as having more of a chance of success at roping the wind than earning salvation.
Saying that James is devoid of the Gospel only serves to suggest you've fallen into the ditch of License, and the only way to be sure we won't fall off the path is to walk as closely to the middle as we can...where Jesus is.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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But I don't like this "work of the spirit of God" being used like that, it is too easy to turn that into an abdication of responsibility, don't you think?

Been thinking about your question since yesterday. You said “but I don’t like this “work of the Spirit of God” being used that way. First it throws me at every complaint raised that the fruits of the Spirit somehow becomes taking no responsibility. No one denies the fruit of the Spirit, or that the fruit is good and the fruit yielded overcomes all evil since it is the power of God. Not denying change but the change is His. That is the point. The fruit of the Spirit is the power of God and not the power of man. It is a new nature. A new creature (creation) born of and out of God ...the issue seems to be how can flesh(that old nature limping along in need of an ego fix)milk something out of “His seed” “His namesake” for himself. The creation was subjected to vanity...”His seed” is the hope out of that vanity at everything expressing the power of God and not man’s power but man’s submission. His seed is Spiritual and brings forth fruit which is not doing nothing but actually doing much, in overcoming what man cannot overcome and never could...the entire Old Testament revealing this in an open display.

Proverbs 1:29-31
[29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord : [30] They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. [31] Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

The argument seems to be man’s responsibility to keep the law and man convincing himself “His seed/the Risen Christ” means our seed when we forget “our seed” which is corruption was left back in the tomb. “His seed” “His namesake” are called forth out of the tomb. Man spins it every which-way he can to attach some ‘keeping of’ what was left behind at “enter into His death”
“Enter into My Rest” “seize from your works”. Which all become yeah we still work but with new purpose now. Same works, just man convinced now he has meaning. The fruits are Spiritual fruit that comes from “His seed”. Death more abundant...is this not continuing to sow “man’s seed” and “man’s way’ rather than God’s seed and God’s way?

Many will argue their responsibility to ‘keep the law’ in the deception that they actually do...but what about the verses where we are not to wound a weaker brother or “Spiritually” murder another whom Christ died for. Paul spoke often of not abusing the power for destruction but it (the power) was to build up and edify. Yet the sword is drawn for the sake of injury and most of the time from a prideful arrogant position that one is better than the other. I’m guilty. The deception comes in claiming we have never abused one whom Christ died for.

Is the law fulfilled in the fruit of the Spirit of the Living God? Or is the law fulfilled of man who deceives himself in that he is holy and keeping the law at inflicting open wounds on the weak? If we are being honest many who say they are already perfect at keeping the law are so high and haughty that it is difficult to even have a conversation with them without them sticking their nose in the air ...yet they speak continually of their grand love. (Don’t think I’m excluding myself here.)...I’m doing it even now speaking “death more abundant”. And so do others when they testify of themselves as keeping the law yet condemn others for falling short of the full measure of man measuring man. it is ugly. “His seed” is the hope and it is not the flesh that bears the Spiritual fruit but God...flesh and spirit war against each other. You testified not long ago that you do not teach others to break the commandments ...are you saying flesh bears the fruit of the Spirit and you are uncomfortable with saying “work of the Spirit of God” ...whose work is it then that overcomes the world??
 
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H. Richard

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Here are some more facts that support my opinion. I find them interesting.

In the book of James:

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.

Gal 5:4
4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
NKJV
 

bbyrd009

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Many have walked out that front door. Many have went who were not sent of Him and it comes to nothing. Do you say there is a guarantee that if someone gives up everything and walks out that front door ...then it is a sure deal?
"it" being what exactly? But certainly one might go like a Gentile, or go to a Samaritan, or maybe even imagine they are going to preach I guess, sure, the cover story, that makes stay in one house, eat what they feed you into some curious and indecipherable add-on. One is ego-building, the other is ego-destroying. I did them all wrong lol, I did all the dumb things
No. You can’t say that because someone else has to be there(the Spirit). @ unless it dies it abides alone.
hmm. You kinda lost me here, but I can say that even the first time, going in the way of the seventy, when I did everything wrong, went out to Do Big Things for Jesus, etc, the Spirit was still with me, imo; I was just fighting it and so I suffered more. "Unless it dies it abides alone" I dont think I quite get, sorry.
So what is the dying if the responsibility remains? Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Where is the “enter into My Rest”?
ok, seems like 3diff subjects here, even if related, and I would say it is the ego dying, as hate your life, hate your family are likely indicating. Imo you enter into God's rest when you stop thinking up works to do for God, and start doing hate your life, hate your family.
What is offensive about “work of the Spirit of God” when the word says “the fruit of the Spirit” are these...?
you would have to rephrase the q I guess, sorry, I don't see anything offensive there
You mention ego how is “work of the Spirit” fit with ego?



Romans 8:20
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Vanity. What is one must die and seize from works and enter into His Rest then?
hope: Ephesians 5:9-10 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth [10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

What is acceptable unto the Lord if not the fruit of ‘the Spirit’?
well here imo is a portrayal of "ego" as "vanity," which is what must die. One might contrast their initial perception of their mission as given to them by their congregation, when we first go out like Gis say, completely earnest and zealous and lost, prideful, etc, judgemental, On a Mission so to speak, calling everyone into their camp, validating their own ego--even if the cover story makes that hard to see then of course--v when you stop talking like you know and start giving way, eating what they feed you, becoming like them to win them, no longer talking in religious lingo but adopting their tongue to make your points, which will no longer be aligned with death More Abundantly but life more abundantly. Imo.
 

bbyrd009

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Been thinking about your question since yesterday. You said “but I don’t like this “work of the Spirit of God” being used that way. First it throws me at every complaint raised that the fruits of the Spirit somehow becomes taking no responsibility. No one denies the fruit of the Spirit, or that the fruit is good and the fruit yielded overcomes all evil since it is the power of God. Not denying change but the change is His. That is the point. The fruit of the Spirit is the power of God and not the power of man. It is a new nature. A new creature (creation) born of and out of God ...the issue seems to be how can flesh(that old nature limping along in need of an ego fix)milk something out of “His seed” “His namesake” for himself. The creation was subjected to vanity...”His seed” is the hope out of that vanity at everything expressing the power of God and not man’s power but man’s submission. His seed is Spiritual and brings forth fruit which is not doing nothing but actually doing much, in overcoming what man cannot overcome and never could...the entire Old Testament revealing this in an open display.

Proverbs 1:29-31
[29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord : [30] They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. [31] Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
"Christ I like; Christians, not so much" so see here how our current popular model is being condemned, that calls new believers into the ego-building exercises, "go do Big Things for Jesus, go get Ordained, go Evangelize, tell everyone the Good News, that if they don't follow your beliefs they are all going to hell!" I mean pls.
The argument seems to be man’s responsibility to keep the law and man convincing himself “His seed/the Risen Christ” means our seed when we forget “our seed” which is corruption was left back in the tomb. “His seed” “His namesake” are called forth out of the tomb. Man spins it every which-way he can to attach some ‘keeping of’ what was left behind at “enter into His death”
“Enter into My Rest” “seize from your works”. Which all become yeah we still work but with new purpose now. Same works, just man convinced now he has meaning.
hmm, completely different works imo, there will be no "tomorrow we are going to such and such a place, to do such and such things," the discussions or rather the Declarations that those doing works of the flesh proclaim.
The fruits are Spiritual fruit that comes from “His seed”. Death more abundant...is this not continuing to sow “man’s seed” and “man’s way’ rather than God’s seed and God’s way?
well I would say so, but I guess the definition of "Death More Abundantly" is not so clear when you are surrounded by trees maybe, and our eventual immortality cannot even be questioned, but is rather a founding premise.
Many will argue their responsibility to ‘keep the law’ in the deception that they actually do...but what about the verses where we are not to wound a weaker brother or “Spiritually” murder another whom Christ died for. Paul spoke often of not abusing the power for destruction but it (the power) was to build up and edify. Yet the sword is drawn for the sake of injury and most of the time from a prideful arrogant position that one is better than the other. I’m guilty. The deception comes in claiming we have never abused one whom Christ died for.
sure, me too, and to this I would say there is a time for everything, carrot and stick, and don't expect them to acknowledge that even the stick is having an effect, you might not be invoking the stick for them anyway but rather someone watching even. We often throw pearls to swine or etc, at least until we learn the signs I guess.
Is the law fulfilled in the fruit of the Spirit of the Living God? Or is the law fulfilled of man who deceives himself in that he is holy and keeping the law at inflicting open wounds on the weak? If we are being honest many who say they are already perfect at keeping the law are so high and haughty that it is difficult to even have a conversation with them without them sticking their nose in the air ...yet they speak continually of their grand love. (Don’t think I’m excluding myself here.)...I’m doing it even now speaking “death more abundant”. And so do others when they testify of themselves as keeping the law yet condemn others for falling short of the full measure of man measuring man. it is ugly. “His seed” is the hope and it is not the flesh that bears the Spiritual fruit but God...flesh and spirit war against each other. You testified not long ago that you do not teach others to break the commandments ...are you saying flesh bears the fruit of the Spirit and you are uncomfortable with saying “work of the Spirit of God” ...whose work is it then that overcomes the world??
ah well it is the work of Elohim, and we are to be Elohim, right, so a definitive answer here is not easy I guess, unless of course you are talking to a determinist, who knows everything. Law is a very confused term to us, bc our scribes have chosen to interpret many different concepts as "law" right, the Decalogue is law, ancient Israeli civil code is also xlated "law," we have our own civil code that is "law," and imo the confusion there is mostly manufactured, and propagated by those who do not understand themselves.

I keep the Decalogue as best I am able, but I recognize that the Law even there is insufficient, and I will be called upon to do better than that, and might have to rely on love your neighbor as yourself as an over-arching law, although I can't imagine how that would put me in a position of breaking the Decalogue...possibly an emergency during sabbath, maybe I have to break sabbath to take someone to hospital or something maybe.

Or I might even break the speed limit on the way to hospital, a concept that our civil code--based upon the Decalogue too--now allows for, I guess; a cop would give me an escort and not a ticket, most likely, even though I broke the law, right
 

VictoryinJesus

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. "Unless it dies it abides alone" I dont think I quite get, sorry.

John 12:24
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
After it dies “...it brings forth much fruit.” Spiritual fruit in the seed no longer abides alone. Genesis 1:11
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
“His seed” and yields its fruit...

you would have to rephrase the q I guess, sorry, I don't see anything offensive there

Was responding to ...
But I don't like this "work of the spirit of God" being used like that, it is too easy to turn that into an abdication of responsibility, don't you think?
 

bbyrd009

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Groper's gotta grope. Just as Crazy Uncle Joe
and thank God for ppl who disagree imo, I am not the arbiter or the final say in anyone else's sowing, all I have is an opinion imo. But this is not allowed in our Christianity, for the most part I guess, ppl who sing When We All Get to Heaven mostly march in lock-step, and line up in columns, etc right
 

VictoryinJesus

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"Death More Abundantly

To curse more abundantly.
Hebrews 6:7-8
[7] For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: [8] But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.


The earth drinks in the Spirit and brings forth blessing from what ‘Living water’ source? Which earth drinks of the Spirit? Created new or still under the curse and bringing forth the curse(thorns and briers) which is to be burned. Burned how?

ah well it is the work of Elohim, and we are to be Elohim, right,

Not without the Spirit of God which is what began this discussion of if it is the work of the Spirit of God or the work of man.

I will be called upon to do better than that, and might have to rely on love your neighbor as yourself as an over-arching law, although I can't imagine how that would put me in a position of breaking the Decalogue...possibly an emergency during sabbath, maybe I have to break sabbath to take someone to hospital or something maybe.

Love your neighbor as yourself. He set before us life and death; blessing or curse. Love for yourself chooses life and blessing. How often when life and death ;cursing or blessing are set before us toward neighbor it is: death and cursing. (IMO) this is “death more abundantly” and “curse more abundant” toward neighbor and the way there is corrupt at love of self more than neighbor. Deceived into “I choose life and blessing” yet for you (neighbor) I speak death and the curse more abundant.
 

bbyrd009

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John 12:24
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
After it dies “...it brings forth much fruit.” Spiritual fruit in the seed no longer abides alone. Genesis 1:11
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
“His seed” and yields its fruit...



Was responding to ...
ok, up top it seemed like you were referring to the Sporit dying, rather than us, or our ego. My biggest objections to "work of the spirit of God" are maybe that the phrase is so ambiguous as to be meaningless, we might discuss the various ways that "it is finished" are interpreted, what is finished?

Or, long suffering, kindness, meekness, etc, these fruits of the spirit, where are they accomplished? How are they accomplished? But imo I would get that we are not going to make any new thing here today, the ambiguity will remain, bc wisdom is hidden from the wise, and most of "us" are after all not in the least interested in hate your life, hate your family imo see, but rather what HR is I guess interested in, being accepted into a camp or whatever, avoiding confession like the plague, discrediting any Scripture that does not comport with our Absolute Truths ("beliefs"), and mostly imo being acknowledged by other ppl, something I am as easily guilty of as anyone, once we start (mass)debating Beliefs. Which btw I never do, except here.
 

bbyrd009

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Something I have often asked and never gotten a reply to,
What are your "beliefs" about today? You have "beliefs" that when examined are revealed to be Absolute Truths, and notice that none of them are about today, they are all, without exception, about Yesterday or Tomorrow?

Get some beliefs about today imo, and see that anyone insisting upon beliefs about yesterday or tomorrow is calling you away from partaking in Christ. You read yesterday or tomorrow in Scripture bc you read with two eyes, and there is not one thing in There that cannot be applied to today, imo
 

bbyrd009

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To curse more abundantly.
Hebrews 6:7-8
[7] For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: [8] But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.


The earth drinks in the Spirit and brings forth blessing from what ‘Living water’ source? Which earth drinks of the Spirit? Created new or still under the curse and bringing forth the curse(thorns and briers) which is to be burned. Burned how?
ok, lot to cover here, and "herbs" means...something diff to me now than you prolly, surely, and even this "which earth" thing I could go on for a page lol, Bc it depends upon which earth one sees imo, the perfect one we have right now or the one that is cursed and about to--always "about to," always Tomorrow lol--undergo Ragnarok, or Armageddon, whatever.

So, from the top, only One living water source I guess, but that is also you, the priest, the Elohim.
And whichever earth you exist in, and sow into.
At "burned," imo this is a euphemism for eradicated or gotten rid of, and "thorns" is also a euphemism, many things might be thorns, imo thorns might be compared to the message we first receive that is deemed "good news" even
Not without the Spirit of God which is what began this discussion of if it is the work of the Spirit of God or the work of man.
ha well which man, Adam or ish?
But all will be required to come before the throne of grace and answer for their works done while in the body, whether good or evil. Easily understood as being in Tomorrow, right. But don't be deceived imo.
Love your neighbor as yourself. He set before us life and death; blessing or curse. Love for yourself chooses life and blessing.
well, you are imo once again mixing a couple of diff concepts here so any reply is hard, love for yourself in the way that you mean it here is maybe not the best way to put that bc of the way that is used elsewhere? Even though many ppl need to learn healthy self-love too I guess, sure.

My chief objection to "I am a worm" or "our works are as filthy rags" the way that is usually interpreted, "we are less than garbage to God" essentially, is that it does not describe priests or ish or Elohim imo.
How often when life and death ;cursing or blessing are set before us toward neighbor it is: death and cursing. (IMO) this is “death more abundantly” and “curse more abundant” toward neighbor and the way there is corrupt at love of self more than neighbor. Deceived into “I choose life and blessing” yet for you (neighbor) I speak death and the curse more abundant.
hmm. I use the concept of "Death More Abundantly" basically defined as the belief in immortality and going up to heaven after we have literally died, so we might be a bit at odds there now...what thread am I on, ok, so, I am currently giving HR a lot of grief, right, for this thread about God dropping the ball or however he might like to frame it, not bc I expect him to change his mind right this minute or even today necessarily, but Bc I knew there would be others in here disagreeing with him too, and many witnesses establish truth. Now do I have the truth? Dunno, not qualified to say, and surely I have made some errant posts here, but imo an unbiased reader can still come in here now and find the truth, even if it is in between the lines so to speak. Iow about HR personally or even his "belief" as stated in here idc even a little, and not meaning to be careless or callous, just that HRs beliefs are irrelevant to me, as mine surely are to him. My beliefs have evolved, and I expect them to continue to evolve; his "beliefs" I don't know, and they would not effect my treatment of him irl anyway. I would never debate anyone's beliefs irl though, HR could tell me Satan is really God irl and I would not make the slightest noise. So, my point there is that my treatment of my neighbor is not a one dimensional thing, just like my "tongue" is kind of not either, am I using my tongue right now? Yes and no right
 

bbyrd009

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How does this fit with Honour your Father and Mother?
ah well I am a bad person to ask that, I was raised by wolves (Pentecostals) and had much forgiving to do, but imo the "Italian" concept of family might be a better model to look at there, which produces both strong bonds that instill a solid sense of self and place, but might also be sinfully called upon to override love your neighbor in times of vanity or ego?

Iow imo one can easily honor their father and mother and still tell dad that he has lost his mind if he thinks I am going to go throw Uriah under the bus so to speak; not that I would be doing any actual talking in that situation anyway myself, unless it was telling Uriah to hide or something maybe. But we are talking about the defs of father and mother literally now, see, which I don't mean these are irrelevant, but not really what Scripture is addressing there imo
 

bbyrd009

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Paul and James are not face to face fighting each other over whether we're saved by grace or works, they are back to back fighting the two great errors of Satan which lie on either side of the path of the righteous: the one ditch called Legalism and the other one called License.
  • Those who insist their faith exempts them from their obligation to obey God's commandments are rebuked by James for attempting to obtain by dead faith that which can only be obtained by living faith.
  • Those who insist they can obtain it by works are rebuked by Paul as having more of a chance of success at roping the wind than earning salvation.
Saying that James is devoid of the Gospel only serves to suggest you've fallen into the ditch of License, and the only way to be sure we won't fall off the path is to walk as closely to the middle as we can...where Jesus is.
Well put imo
 
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bbyrd009

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my opinion. I find them interesting.
When you find the other Scriptures, Christs words on the matter, etc, all of the other Scripture you currently hate, "interesting" as well, let us know maybe, bc imo that is when you will be able to have a discussion rather than this jousting with facts and no hearing, ok
You might get unstuck at this "justified by keeping the law" thing, which was admitted a long time ago, ok. You still must keep the law, and keeping the law will not justify you, yes, the law is not adequate, the law is insufficient, meaning you have to do even better than that, not meaning you can blow it off bc you don't get it or it's too hard. Or don't keep the law if you don't want hr, what does "law" even mean to you?
 
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Phoneman777

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and thank God for ppl who disagree imo, I am not the arbiter or the final say in anyone else's sowing, all I have is an opinion imo. But this is not allowed in our Christianity, for the most part I guess, ppl who sing When We All Get to Heaven mostly march in lock-step, and line up in columns, etc right
Stick around, it's about to get worse. Didja here this week China is offering between $1300-$1500 for anyone who turns in others caught practicing Christianity? I feel so sorry for the Chi-Com leaders on judgment day.
 

bbyrd009

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Stick around, it's about to get worse. Didja here this week China is offering between $1300-$1500 for anyone who turns in others caught practicing Christianity? I feel so sorry for the Chi-Com leaders on judgment day.
I used to have some oriental Christian connections, but they were hard to communicate with even a couple years ago. Seems like the ban is more about foreigners than Christians per se, but I guess this is nothing new in China. The HK issue has everyone polarized right now I think.
City offers US$1,500 reward to help snare foreign religious leaders
not sure anything really new is going on though
 

Phoneman777

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I used to have some oriental Christian connections, but they were hard to communicate with even a couple years ago. Seems like the ban is more about foreigners than Christians per se, but I guess this is nothing new in China. The HK issue has everyone polarized right now I think.
City offers US$1,500 reward to help snare foreign religious leaders
not sure anything really new is going on though
How often I forget to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters laboring under constant threat of death for the faith. May God have mercy on me.

We also need to pray for all our Western Dispensationalist bros and sisters who will soon be standing in the streets as the world is being set on fire shouting to God demanding to know why He hasn't "caught up" the church from the unfolding tribulation that is coming upon them.
 
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