HELP! Does Romans 4 preach sola fide?

[DARichards]

It doesn’t. James refers back to, and quotes, Gen. 15:6. He cannot quote any verse in Gen. 22 (when the attempted sacrifice takes place) because God does not reckon Abraham righteous based on his willingness to, at that time, offer up Isaac.

James explicitly says regarding the FAITH of Abraham, by which he was declared righteous by God some 20 years earlier, that that Scripture (Gen. 15:6) was “fulfilled” which says,"And Abraham believed God, and it (his faith) was reckoned (by God) to him as righteousness."He does not point to the time of the offering up of Isaac as ANOTHER declaration of divine justification but that SAME faith, by which God justified Abraham back in Gen. 15:6, was now “working with his works, and as a result of the works, FAITH was perfected” (see vs. 22) - not justification.

There is only ONE place where it is recorded that God declared Abaham righteousness (and that justification based on his faith alone), and BOTH Paul and James quote that same, specific verse. They can quote no other.

Apop, you are really reaching for some Scriptural gymnastics in this one. In addition, you are missing the entire tenor of this chapter in James. “Context is our friend…” So lets look at the context.

James starts off this chapter instructing about the necessity of not showing partiality to any person based on his clothing, or the amount of money that they have, or any other characteristic. He says in V9 that if you do show partiality it is sin. He then goes forward to instruct that if one part of the Law (Torah) is broken, then the entire Law is broken.

The next statement James makes is: 6 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? He is saying that if our faith doesn’t produce works of faith in taking care of the poor, and those that cannot care for themselves, then our faith is dead and is no faith at all. The tenor here is very much like a wife to a husband. She says, “you love me, then show me!” This law of God is at work in our families as well. I tell my girls the same thing. “You are my children, there are certain things you must do, if you love me, show me by your obedience.” Jesus told us the same thing in Matthew 5:19 :
**Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. **

and also in Matthew 19:17:17
**He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” ** It is very interesting here that Jesus didn’t say if you wish to enter into life, have faith in me…He “unambiguously” said keep the commandments. Now understand just because you keep the commandments and are without the faith, it does you absolutely no good. The two must work together.

Back to James 2…

Now in V 20, James says: I will give you proof that faith without works is useless. He then proceeds with the accounts of Abraham and Rahab. James does refer back to Gen 15:6, but not in v.21. In fact, James is very clear at this point. He says:
21 **Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? **. James makes a point to say that Abraham was justified at that point. To say otherwise is ignoring the context of the Scripture…“Context is our friend…”

 

[DARichards]

But let me ask you, to whom are you proving your “mature faith” by said works? God? Do you wonder, as does “Philthy,” if God needs proof of faith via demonstration? Is the God of the Bible then imperfect? Would He even be “God” if He needs to acquire certain knowledge about you?

But based on my studies of the Scriptures, the God of the Bible is truly omniscient. He knows the heart of men, He knows genuine faith.2 Tim. 2:19 "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His…"Doesn’t sound to me like the Lord lacks knowledge. I’m sure He’s quite capable of justifying only those whose faith is genuine. The God of the Bible knows far more than you give Him credit for.

Of course He knows far more than we understand, but taking your assertion to it’s logical conclusion, we don’t need to pray because God already knows it anyway. We don’t need to confess our sins to Him, because he already knows we have sinned and what we have done. We do these things out of obedience, because he has told us to do them. If that then accounts for me being justified by works, then Halllelujah brother, I am justified by my works!!!

 

[frnate]

Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. a coin with one side has no redemptive value

WOW! You must have a great mind because “great minds think alike” and I gave that very same illustration to someone just last week.

Peace,
+Nathan

 

[DARichards]

Based on what you say above, God can only reckon one righteous after a life time of demonstrable service to Him, thereby proving one’s genuine faith. Right? And for this reason the RC adds the word “initial” to justificaton. God must wait to see the works you perform throughout your life before He can officially justify you. Translation: Justification by works.

The main area where we are running into problems here is that we have two different definitions of justification: you term justification as " a legal, or forensic, term, and is used in Scripture to denote the acceptance of any one as righteous in the sight of God. Understood in this way, justification is purely extrinsic to the sinner, niasmuch as he is justified soley on the basis of Christ’s righteousness graciously imputed to him… The sinner doesn not become righteous himself, but because he trusts in Christ’s work for him, he is considered innocent by God the Judge. In this way, works contribute nothing to justification; it is by faith alone."

Catholics views justification as “the restoration of justice which Adam possessed prior to his sin, and which he loses by his sin. It is the gift of divine sonship, lost in original sin, and regained in Christ. It involves both the imputation of sonship and the infustion of Christ’s grace. These two aspects are inseparable, for as God imputes family standing to the sinner, the sinner does in fact become a member of the family; sonship is no legal fiction.”

 

[mikeledes]

Since apophasis can’t seem to understand that James 2:21 is talking about Abraham being justified AFTER he was justified several chapters earlier in Genesis, then let me quote this verse again, leaving out the “by works” part:

“Was not Abraham our father justified … WHEN he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”

Hopefully this will make it clearer that James is referring to a justification that occurs WHEN Abraham offers his son on the altar, a work.

Please explain why in Romans 2:6-7, God will give eternal life to those who patiently continue in doing good? Why does Jesus respond to the rich young man’s question on obtaining eternal life by saying, “Keep the commandments.”? I thought our works played absolutely no role in our salvation?

Romans 11:22

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if THOU CONTINUE in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off"
John 15:5-6, 10

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned … If ye keep my commandments, ye shall ABIDE in my love…

1 John 3:24

"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in Him and He in Him."

When we freely receive the grace of justification, there is nothing that we did, faith or works, that earned that grace. Faith in itself is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). See also:

John 6:65

“And he said, Therefore I said unto you, that no man can come unto me,except it were given unto him of my Father”

Acts 18:27

“… helped them much which had believed through grace.”

This grace is what unites us to that olive tree , unites us with the Vine Jesus Christ. But we must abide in the Vine. What does “abide” mean? Dictionary.com defines it as, “to remain; continue; stay.” If we are justified and eternally secure, then why do we have to worry about continuing to abide in Christ. Won’t that happen automatically when we are saved? How can someone who was never saved cease to abide with Christ if he was never with Christ to begin with? In order to cease to abide, you have to abide first. According to Romans 11:22, we are part of the olive tree IF WE CONTINUE in God’s goodness. Doesn’ t justification mean being right with God. If it’s a once and for all experience that does not involve any work, then how can we ever cease to continue being in God’s goodness? How can we be cut off if we are eternally secure?

Christ defines abiding with Him as keeping his commandments. In other words, if you want to continue in a saving relationship with God, you must keep the commandments. Keeping the commandmenst did not get us into that relationship in the first place, that was done by grace. But in order to keep that grace, that free gift from God, you must maintain it by keeping the commandments. Just as if I were to give you a dog as a free gift. You did not buy that dog, just as we do not buy grace through our works, but you are obligated to maintain that dog by feeding it, giving it shelter, and taking it to the veternarian. Otherwise, it will die and you lose that gift. If we do not maintain that grace God has freely given us by keeping the commandments, then we will lose it and ulrimately risk suffering eternal damnation, thus receiving that “**grace in vain **(2 Corinthians 6:1).”

That is why Jesus says:

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22)”

We cannot have saving faith and truly do good without the grace of God. It is grace that enables us to believe and do those things which are pleasing to God. That is why Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing, we cannot bear fruit. If we do not preserve this sacred trust (grace) that was freely given to us by God **to the end **by keeping his commandments, then we will lose it. We do not get grace by keeping the commandments. We get grace in order to keep the commandments. But if we resist the operation of grace in our lives by not keeping the commandments, we will lose it. Once we lose grace, there is no good work that will save us if we do not repent and seek forgiveness. And even repentance is ultimatley work of God:

“… if perdadventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

It is God that ultimately produces the desire to turn to him, but we have a choice to reject that impulse or reject it.

God Bless,
Michael

 

[mikeledes]

It is God that ultimately produces the desire to turn to him, but we have a choice to reject that impulse or reject it.

Sorry! I meant to say that we have a choice to reject that impulse to turn to God and do good or to accept it.

God Bless,
Michael

 

[DARichards]

No, Pax, divine justification is solely an act of God. Both salvation and justification are *gifts *of God apart from any works whatsoever (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:24). It is those whom God gifted salvation and justification (as well as eternal life, Rom. 6:23) that He creates new "in Christ."Only in that the SAVED “by grace through FAITH,” are now created in Christ Jesus for good works. But it is not the works, or the new creation, that saves or justifies.

Then what about Colossians 1:21-22 (which coincidentally, was written by the same author of Romans)?

21 And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds
22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him,
23 provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.

 

[DARichards]

You said in another post that the Gospel is not Paul’s. Please consider:Rom. 2:16 "…on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Rom. 16:25 "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,"Paul was given special insight into the gospel of Jesus Christ with which he was entrusted. And much of it was written to the church at Rome, now called the Book of Romans. In it he clearly reveals divine justification by faith in Christ alone.

Yes, Paul was the minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that was entrusted to Him, but it was not HIS. The Gospel was and always has been our Lord’s. The Father is the one who designed and planned the plan of salvation for you and me. He is very strong in his justificaition by faith, but taking into consideration his other epistles, it is not absolute on faith “alone”. In fact the only place the words “faith” and “alone” are used together are in Scripture at all anywhere period is in James 2. Where James says that we are not justified by “faith alone.”

 

[mikeledes]

Apophasis
In other words, a justification based on a life time on probation and, ultimately, sealed by your own works. Have you read Romans 4?

I just want to add and emphasize, since Apohasis does not seem to get our argument, is that works pleasing to God are themselves fruits of the grace of justification. However, if, at some point in your life after you have been justified, you chose to bear no more fruit and do so until you die, you lose your salvation. You have freely rejected the justification that you freely accepted when you became saved. How do you reject this justification? By ceasing to do good.

God Bless,
Michael

 

[DARichards]

This is a very important clause: “God is a good and faithful father, promising to reward the good works of justified persons. In doing so, He crowns His own achievements, for even the most pious saint is ever dependant on God’s grace.”

In other words, *** IT IS NOT OUR WORKS THAT JUSTIFY US, BUT GOD’S WORKS IN US AND THROUGH US BY THE POWER OF CHRIST THAT JUSTIFY US!!! ***

 

[St.Eric]

I would say, based on Paul’s teachings, salvation, justification and eternal life are all God’s gift to those who believe in Christ (see my posts for what it means to believe "in Christ:"Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

It takes more than belief brother: “for you do well to believe, even the devils believe and tremble at his name…” are the devils “saved?” Why not? They for sure believe in Christ.

Rom 3:23-24 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”

Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."When the jailer in Philippi asked what he must do to be saved (Acts 16), Paul and his companions answered, “Believed in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved,” Now he didn’t tell him to pray that he might be “gifted faith,” but that he himself was to believe in Christ and he would be saved. Salvation is a “gift of God” to those who believe because the work required to secure their salvation was accomplished and completed by Christ Himself. What makes something a “gift” is that it was paid for by another. The price of the believer’s complete redemption was paid, in full, through Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross (Col. 2:13-14).Well, if you read the Book of Acts, you’ll see it was the message (word) of the cross that was taken to the world to be believed on. And when people believed the “word of the cross” (not considering it foolishness), they were at that moment “gifted” salvation, justification and eternal life.If, my friend, your “salvation” is not, as you say, “finalized” at the time of personal belief, and you “hope to be finally saved” at His return, then you were never ACTUALLY saved at all. You were merely living out a life sentence on probation, hoping to be rewarded salvation based on your life-time achievement of discipleship performance. This unequivocally translates as “salvation by works” resulting, ultimately, in God justifying the “godly,” rather than as Paul teaches in Romans 4:5:Rom. 4:5 "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,"No, it’s not “Christ’s redemption,” it’s YOUR and MY redemption nobody else could accomplish. Not even you.Thank you for saying the gift of “salvation.” And I fully agree.The problem is, based on this scenario, one never actually goes through the “spiritual drive-through,” but makes a spiritual “U-turn” before he even gets there. No true faith “in Christ” is actually exercised.

Salvation is a free gift- a gift which must be ACTED upon. If I give you a free gift of a Wal-mart gift card for $100 and you accept it, but never ACT upon it by USING it, you have accepted the intial gift and then ultimately thrown it away becasue you did not DO what was required to realize the gift of the $100 dollars. The gift was free, you accepted, but did not carry out the responsibility required to realize the reward.

Jam 2:24 - a man is justified by works and not by faith alone
Jam 2:26 - faith without works is dead
Gal 5:6 - only thing that counts is faith working in love
1 Cor 13:2 - faith without love is nothing
Jn 14:15 - if you love me, keep my commandments
Mt 19:16-17 - if you wish to enter into life, keep commandments
1Tim 5:8 he who doesn’t provide for family worse than unbeliever.

Past Event (I have been saved)
Rom 8:24 - for in hope we were saved
Eph 2:5, 8 - by grace you have been saved through faith
2Tim 1;9 - He saved us, called us according to his grace
Tit 3:5 - He saved us through bath of rebirth, renewal by Holy Spirit

Phil 2;12 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling
1Pet 1:9 - as you attain the goal of your faith, salvation

Mt 10:22 - he who endures to the end will be saved
Mt 24:1 - he who perseveres to the end will be saved
Mk 8:35 - whoever loses his life for my sake will save it
Acts 15:11 - we shall be saved through the grace of Jesus
Rom 5:9-10 - since we are justified, we shall be saved
Rom 13:11 - salvation is nearer now than first believed
Cor 3:15 - he shall be saved, but only as through fire
1Cor 5:5 - deliver man to Satan so his spirit may be saved
Heb 9:28 - Jesus will appear second time, to bring salvation

Cont…

indent]

 

[St.Eric]

Cont…

Mt 7:21 - not Lord, Lord but he who does the will of father
Mt 19:16-17 - to have life, keep my commandments
Jn 14:21 - he who keeps my commandments loves me
Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works
Gal 5:4-6 - nothing counts but faith working through love
Eph 2:8-10 - we are created in Christ Jesus for good works
Phil 2:12-13 - work out salvation with fear and trembling
Jam 2:14-24 - a man is justified by works & not faith alone

Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works
2Cor 5:10 - recompense accord to what did in body
2Cor 11:15 - their end will correspond to their deeds
1Pet 1:17 - God judges impartially according to one’s works
Rev 20:12-13 - dead judged according to their deeds
Col 3:24-25 - will receive due payment for whatever you do

Mt 7:21 - not everyone saying “Lord, Lord” will inherit
Mt 24:13 - those who persevere to the end will be saved
Rom 11:22 - remain in his kindness or you will be cut off
Phil 2:12 - work out your salvation in fear and trembling
1Cor 9:27 - drive body for fear of being disqualified
1Cor 10:11-12 - those thinking they are secure may fall
Gal 5:4 - separated from Christ, you’ve fallen from grace
2Tim 2:11-13 - must hold out to the end to reign with Christ
Hb 6:4-6 - describes sharers in Holy Spirit who then fall away
Heb 10:26-27 - if sin after receiving truth, judgment remains

 

[St.Eric]

James puts it very nicely here and minces no words:

James 2:20-26

20
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?
21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.
23
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” (belief requires actions)
24
See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25
And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?
26
For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead

Luther HATED the book of James and very much wanted to scrap it from HIS cannon of the bible, like he did the other books. He could not however and keep any shred of credibility. James was a huge thorn in Luther’s side.

Judas and Peter were guilty of the same crime- the denial and betrayal of God/Christ. Even though they were guilty of the same sin, one went to Heaven and one went to Hell. What was the difference? Both certainly believed Jesus was God and had faith in him. The difference? Peter DID something about his denial. Peter repented and DID penance while Judas did NOTHING and hung himself in despair.

 

[St.Eric]

Just a quick point to our protestant brothers and sisters. In maters of Faith and works, it is not an either of proposition. In other words, you cannot think of it as one either has faith or works. Rather, it a “both/and.” One must have BOTH faith and works. Christ himself confirms this. This connot be denied.

“faith without works is dead…”

 

[HailMary]

You might also want to check out the Book of Revelations chapters 2 and 3. And I wrote a little paper on my signature that address this very succinctly (Are you saved?) and more extensively (A Case for Catholiicism). You might want to pick up a WONDERFUL little book put out by tan:
Peters, Joel.** Scripture Alone? 21 Reasons to Reject Sola Scriptura**. 1999. Tan Books & Publishers, Inc.

 

[Pax]

…
…

Experiential SANCTIFICATION is not salvation, nor is it justification. They are theologically distinct. This is where a lot of your confusion lies, Pax, and that of your church, as well.

I stand by my posts and am not in the least bit persuaded by arguments that do not address the points as given but instead attempt to deflect the points by arguing against something not stated.

I will not bother addressing the points of your strawman approach. I will, however, give some time to your contentions concerning sanctification. You have attempted to use a gambit that you have tried before on other threads. I reject your errant references to “experienial” sanctification, and your contentions that sanctification is completely distinct from justification and that it has nothing to do with salvation.

Anyone that can read scripture can appreciate that sanctification is related to salvation. I will repeat the following verses for your edification:

Acts 20:32
And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Rom 6:22
But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life.

2 Thess 2:13
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits **for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit **and through belief in the truth.

No amount of sophistry on your part can undo the clear meaning of the word of God when it comes to salvation and sanctification.

You also claim that justification and sanctification are theologically distinct. While there is a distinction to be made between the two, they are, nevertheless, so closely related that they overlap and there is no wall that separates them. This is made utterly clear in scripture.

First of all, we are ultimately justified by the blood of Christ.
This is made clear in Romans 3:24-25, Rom 5:9, Eph 1:7, Eph 2:13, and Col 1:20-22 as well as other verses.

We are also sanctified by the blood of Christ and this is made clear in Heb 13:12, Heb 10:9, 1Peter 1:2, Heb 9:13-15, and Heb 10:29 and other verses as well.

Secondly, we were all sinners before being saved. We were saved when we were washed, sanctified, and justified. Paul puts it this way in 1 Cor 6:9-11.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were** justified** in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Thirdly, we are justified by God’s grace per Rom 3:24, Rom 4:16, Rom 5:17, Eph 2:8-9 and others.

We are also sanctified by God’s grace per 1 Cor 1:4-8, 2 Cor 1:12, 2 Cor 4:15, 2 Cor 8:9, 2 Thess 1:11-12 and others.

In fact, there are numerous verses of scripture where justification and sanctification can be substituted for one another without any theological error. I will give a few examples:

Heb 13:12
Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood.

We could just as easily make the statement that “Jesus suffered outside the city gate in order to justify the people by his own blood.” This latter statement would be true and there would be no theological error. In this instance the terminology is completely interchangeable. Likewise, my quotes above from Acts 20:32, Rom 6:22, and 2 Thess 2:13 would not have any theological violation if the word justify/justification were to be substituted for the word sanctify/sanctification.

Please be aware that I am not suggesting that we change the words of scripture. I am merely pointing out the meaning and usages in scripture that pertain to both justification and sanctification as they relate to salvation. They are related terms that overlap one another and both are necessary for salvation. There is no dimising wall between them.

 

[PRmerger]

And I wrote a little paper on my signature that address this very succinctly (Are you saved?).

I found the article very concise and pithy and have recommended it to several searching friends…

However, what exactly does moral assurance of salvation mean (vs absolute assurance)

 

[HailMary]

I found the article very concise and pithy and have recommended it to several searching friends…

However, what exactly does moral assurance of salvation mean (vs absolute assurance)

A moral assurance of salvation is confidence that Christ Jesus will do everything He has promised us, provided we cooperate in His will.

You need to understand how the Covenant works in order to more deeply understand this. The Covenant involves two parties: one strong and one weak The Covenant with God is fundamentally this: If we obey God’s rules, He blesses us but if we disobey, He curses us.

Examples of this are
Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26

These chapters don’t flow very well with many Christians (even Catholic ones) because in this country, we have successfully reduced God the Father to Santa Claus, Jesus Christ to a hippie, and The Holy Spirit to a glorified bird

For for clear New Testament example of how God can curse, consider Revelations 2:23 which reads (this is the Lord talking):
I will also put her children to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve.

Children, are always a blessing that is why this is such a terrible curse.

Think Covenantally (This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you)!!

 

[apophasis]

Apop, you are really reaching for some Scriptural gymnastics in this one.

No, no gymnastics at all. Just simply facts.

In addition, you are missing the entire tenor of this chapter in James. “Context is our friend…” So lets look at the context.

James starts off this chapter instructing about the necessity of not showing partiality to any person based on his clothing, or the amount of money that they have, or any other characteristic. He says in V9 that if you do show partiality it is sin. He then goes forward to instruct that if one part of the Law (Torah) is broken, then the entire Law is broken.

The next statement James makes is: 6 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith**** save him?

Yes, “context is our friend,” and that which is underlined is the context of James. Don’t stray from it when you interpret him.

He is saying that if our faith doesn’t produce works of faith in taking care of the poor, and those that cannot care for themselves, then our faith is dead and is no faith at all.

It’s still in the context of faith, isn’t it DAR? “Can THAT faith save him?” A mere professed faith (vs.18).

The tenor here is very much like a wife to a husband. She says, “you love me, then show me!” This law of God is at work in our families as well. I tell my girls the same thing. “You are my children, there are certain things you must do, if you love me, show me by your obedience.”

But that demonstration of love through obedience is not what makes them your “girls.” Is it? No, but by the fact they were “born” to you. It’s no different with God:John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."Just as you ask your children to demonstrate their love toward you through obedience, so it is required of God’s children who become so through FAITH in Christ. But it’s not the obedience that’s makes them His children, it’s their faith which causes them to be “born of God.”

Now in V 20, James says: I will give you proof that faith without works is useless. He then proceeds with the accounts of Abraham and Rahab. James does refer back to Gen 15:6, but not in v.21. In fact, James is very clear at this point. He says:
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? . James makes a point to say that Abraham was justified at that point. To say otherwise is ignoring the context of the Scripture…“Context is our friend…”

The context, DAR, is still, “Can that faith save him?” It was in faith that Abraham was willing to offer up Isaac. Faith in the word of God (see Heb. 11:17-19; cf. Gen. 15:5-6). James is not saying that at the point of offering up Isaac God justified him. But at that point the SCRIPTURE (vs. 23, cf. Gen. 15:6) was “fulfilled” (overtly demonstated). James connects Abraham’s obedience to his faith "in the Lord, expressed back in Gen. 15:6. The same faith by which, at that point, God justified him. The same faith by which God justified him years before was then demonstated years later by works of obedience. But it’s the FAITH, not the works that justified. Keep it in context, DAR. “Can THAT faith save him?” - asks James.Rom 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it {the} righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS {man} SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."Abraham lived the faith by which he was justified (declared righteous) by God. Which is the whole point and context of James.

 

[HailMary]

No, no gymnastics at all. Just simply facts.

Read Apocalypse chapters 2 and 3. Count the number of times Jesus says, “I know your works”. Further, let us get something very clear, faith is defined as an act of the will - it is an act of the intellect assenting to a truth which is beyond its grasp. People have this tendency to mix faith with morality. This is not true. You can declare a theological truth but live like a pagan. You can believe that Jesus is God but deny His will. Or the opposite, a pagan can be doing humanitarian work, but not believe.

The best example of how someone can have faith and not live a moral life is by using contraception.

Psalm 62:12
For you render to each one according to his works.

Jeremiah 17:10
I the Lord … give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Ezekiel 18:27
When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness … and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul.

Matthew 5:20
Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and UI thou shalt be condemned.

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Matthew 19:17
If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.

Matthew 25:41-46
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Luke 10:26-28
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

John 5:29
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Romans 2:6, 13
Who will render to each one according to his deeds. … For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the jugment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 11:15
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Philippians 2:12
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

James 2:14
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

James 2:17
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:21-25
Was not Abraham our father justified by works? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rabab the harlot also justified by works? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1 Peter 1:17
The Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work.

Revelation 2:23
I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Revelation 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Romans 8:24
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? (so is St. Paul saying we even need faith? [clearly, if he meant faith he would have said faith right?] OF COURSE WE DO)