Replies

"Having then faith in Jesus Christ, ... the believer will perform works which are pleasing in God's sight. "

I have to disagree pretty strongly if you imply that a believer will not do things which are displeasing to God. Believers still sin, this we know, and sin is displeasing to God. Moreover, James seems to be addressing those who believe, but do not show mercy. Mere belief is not enough, if we understand it to be an intellectual assent, it is insufficient.

I did not say that the believer will not sin ... what I said was that the believer will perform works which are pleasing to God.

For example, ... it is quite evident from the scriptures that Peter sinned, even after becoming a disciple of Jesus.

But ... Peter also performed works which were pleasing to God ... all while living an imperfect life.

BTW ... was Peter always merciful ?

Certainly not ... for he sliced off the ear of the priest's servant.

Is it your belief that one must live a perfect life ... in order to perform works pleasing to God ?

Do you not trust in Jesus that His sacrifice ... will atone for your very own imperfection ?

What do you mean by faith? Would you mind defining this in your own words?

To believe/to have faith in Jesus Christ is to place one's hope for the salvation of one's soul ... in His hands.

The author of the article suggests that we can be reconcilled with an understanding faith as being a faith that works in Love. Would you be comfortable with that as a definition of what you mean by faith in the formulation, "we are saved by faith alone?"

Obeying God's command to believe (have faith) in His Son (the One which He has sent) ... is the only response which God requires from man ... so as to bestow His gift of salvation.

All else that is required ... God performs Himself ...
God has ...
... loved the believer.

... rebirthed the believer's spiritual life.

... sealed the believer unto redemption with His Holy Spirit.

... provided the scriptures as a source of faith for the believer.

... provided the Holy Spirit as a teacher for the believer.

... set those within the Church who will teach the believer.

... committed Himself to finish the work of salvation which He has begun in the believer.
And ... of course ... He provides to man what He requires from man ... saving faith.

God, Himself, has done all of this for the believer.

"To believe/to have faith in Jesus Christ is to place one's hope for the salvation of one's soul ... in His hands. "

Quester, I like your definition of Faith, I tend to read a number of passages in Scripture that way.

"Is it your belief that one must live a perfect life ... in order to perform works pleasing to God ? "

No, of course not, but it is my belief that we are always dependent upon the Grace and mercy of God. Thanks for clarifying your point on this.

"Do you not trust in Jesus that His sacrifice ... will atone for your very own imperfection ?"

I trust God, and the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross was Holy and Perfect. But there remains the responsibility of the believer nonetheless to cooperate with the Grace of God.

"Obeying God's command to believe (have faith) in His Son (the One which He has sent) ... is the only response which God requires from man ... so as to bestow His gift of salvation. "

God requires that we obey all of his commands.

"And behold, one came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Matthew 19: 16-21)

Notice that Jesus has been asked very specifically what one must do to inherit eternal life, and nowhere has he said to "just believe." He responds entirely in terms of action. The point I am making is that the Biblical language is very focused on action, and so should our description of how we are saved be. It's my hope that we can reconcile our views by saying that, to believe in Jesus is to do what he says, and to accept the Lordship of Jesus is to be obedient to his commandments. Perhaps you would agree with me on that statement.

"And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

Paul wrestled with the Judaizers who believed that one must be circumcised, keep the Jewish dietary law, and the rest of the Jewish law, in order to be saved. In that context, he responds that it is not the works of the law that save us. In these two examples, however, the question is put directly to Jesus---what must we do to be saved? He answers entirely in terms of action, and as we have seen in Matthew 25, the judgment scene, it is upon these that we will be judged.

Without God we can do nothing, and through faith, we act obediently to God and cooperate with his Grace. If we are to conform to the language of the bible, however, this faith, does not stand alone

And if I ave prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1Cor 13:2)

Now since John's Gospel has been so popular on this thread today, I'll close with a quote from that prodigy.

"He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21)

Of course, Christ gives us a new commandment that exceeds all the others. We must love one another, as He has loved us.

I'm enjoying your posts, thank you for the good conversation. I didn't want to leave without responding to your thoughtful post, but I have to run now, and will look forward to reading your posts again later. Have an enjoyable Labor day weekend.