Originally Posted by
sanggano_boy
This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-1
. James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life – then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).
Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)! James and Paul do not disagree on their teaching on salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that faith in Christ produces good works.
Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?
Here's a link to help you understand about Philippians 2:12
Working Out Your Salvation--Philippians 2:12
If you will only pick those words to justify your belief, you will missed out the true message of Salvation. We have to read it, and understand it's totality. We only read in our eyes, but a genuine believers are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to understand God's word by heart.
John 6:65
He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
Luke 24:44-45
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Even if we phase out John 3:16 in the Bible, and all the "begotten" words in the Bible, still the message of Salvation will not changed. That Jesus Christ died for our sins and was resurrected, and He is the only way to Salvation according to John 14:6
My Personal Question to you is:
Are saved? Is you eternal destiny secured? If so what's your basis?
Im sorry my friend but the context of James 2:17-18 is not about refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works. The context doesnt say that. This is clearly a manipulation. Look again friend the context doesnt say anything like that at all.
but rather it mentions people who claim to have
faith in Jesus but act differently like: hypocrisy and oppressing the poor.
That is why he said that claiming to have faith in Jesus w/o doing good work is not enough. One must prove his faith by good works.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?<---this is exactly my point.
this is James' answer...17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.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. <---its so crystal clear sir.We dont need to make other sense because even an elementary kid can understand this one.
see that my friend? verse 17 says Faith w/o work is dead,being
ALONE. Faith alone is dead,thats what James is saying.
Faith then faith produces good works...tsk tsk...thats not what James is saying. Philippians also says to work out your salvation.
take ephesians,James and philippianms,what do you have? a balance view of Faith+work=salvation.
the problem with you is you are taking James,ephesians,and philippians but in the end you only want to emphasize Ephesians...thats poor exegesis.
The message of Salvation is different depending on what christian group you came from. The Anglican in Europe is now believing that Jesus was just a man.
About your question...lets rather not talk about it because even the evangelicals have contradictory position about eternal security and losing ones salvation. Let them solve this ancient conflict first.
- St. James
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