THE BIBLE PRAYER LINE – Bible Questions Answered
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Bible Prayer Line Index
https://thebibleprayerline.blogspot.com/2018/05/tbpl-index.html
Bible Questions Answered:
“James 2:17 faith without works is dead....so we are saved by works too!...”
Mel/ Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Texts:
James 2:17,26 KJV
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
No!
Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 4:5,6 NLT
5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but The Gift Of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 2:5,8,9 KJV
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is The Gift Of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of The Holy Ghost;
Well OK, just what is James saying then?
James 2:17,26 KJV
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Salvation is a Gift Of God, now although God's Gift, cannot be bought, salvation in a persons life will produce signs of its existence!
James 2:1 NLT
My dear brothers and sisters..."
James was talking to Jewish Christians who were followers of The Lord, but whos lives produced no fruit.
No doubt he reminded them of The Lord's saying...
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We know when a body is dead, it is lifeless, it has no signs of life, no movement, etc.
If we are in the faith, our life will shows signs of salvation (Spiritual Life), love for others, urge to witness to the lost, a call to commune with our Heavenly Father, etc. etc.
James 2:17,26 KJV
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
True Faith, will have with it, “Vital Signs.”
Love for The Word, care and concern for others, a heart of giving, etc. etc.
If we come upon someone who appears lifeless, the first thing we do is check for their vital signs, breathing, heart beat, etc. etc.
Our good works “do not” (this includes all religious works), save us, salvation is a Gift Of God, and that Gift is The Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5 KJVc
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of The Holy Ghost;
Saved by the finished work of The Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
And in the life of every Christian should appear vital signs of true salvation, that one, is indeed in the faith.
Someone has said “Workless faith, is worthless faith,” and how true that is.
Prayer:
I Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
I Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of The Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in The Lord.
Colossians 1:10 KJV
That ye might walk worthy of The Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
