James 2:20
20O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
Already gave a response.
[/QUOTE] James is talking about how works
show you to be righteous (in Christ, of course). And so faith that is alone shows you do not have the righteousness of Christ and are not saved. [/QUOTE]
Like I said...between men!
"SHOWING" for MEN to SEE.
Faith alone, means you are Not Saved? Pfft!
And EXACTLY How and When are you Privy to A MAN, making a Heartfelt Confession of Belief TO God?
Do you drag an x-ray machine around hoping to SEE what's in a man's heart? Are you psychic? Are you all powerful that You can search a man's Heart as does God?
Because Scripture Reveals... YOU do not have Access to what is in a man's Heart. You can not SEE what Thought is in a man's Heart, anymore than you can SEE God.
The saved person is justified by both faith and works.
Correct- ....
However you appear to be missing the Fact;
• A Commitment of Faith...
• JUSTIFIES a man to BE Saved, Sanctified and Redeemed!
• A committed man HAVING -
* Been Saved and Sanctified
* WHO Does WORKS to Glorify God
• IS JUSTIFIED to receive Rewards.
Works are IRRELEVANT...DO NOTHING to Glorify God...by a man WHO is Without Faith.
Faith by itself makes him righteous before God.
Yes- and JUSTIFIED, To receive Salvation and Sanctification and Redemption.
Works show him to be righteous before God.
No- God is all-knowing, He doesn't Require a "showing".
Works are for "showing the eyes of men!"
And so a person is justified by both faith and works. If all you have is justification by faith, and not by works too, you show that you aren't really justified by faith apart from works. That kind of faith can not save a person. James calls that dead faith.
You are preaching Works EARN Salvation.
No they do not.
An Atheist can be a kind, friendly, helpful, neighbor/ coworker/ relative...
And Remain unsaved!
And while they may be kind, friendly, helpful TO YOU, they DO NOT ONE WORK to Glorify God.
That is Secular gradeschool preaching.
Be nice, be kind, be helpful...and what?
People might like you and accept you?
In the Spiritual Sense,
It is Gods Acceptance a Believer Strives for...
It is according to Gods WAY,
That Accomplishes a man to Succeed and Become Converted...and Forever Acceptable to God.
Faith and Works-
Two Separate issues-
Two separate Justifications-
Two separate Pronounced Judgements-
• Judgement follows the Same path:
Men shall be Judged On having Become Converted or Not.
"Glorified Body or Damned Body"
• Men shall be Judged On Works they Did or Did not Do to Glorify God.
"Reward" for Works Glorifying God
"Works Burned" that did not Glorify God
Works have NO Consideration...UNTIL after a Commitment of Faith.
Glory to God,
Taken