>>James 2 EXPLICITLY says we are not saved by faith alone.<<
What James says... Is that if our faith is genuine... It will produce good works. James 2:14, 19, 20. James was dispelling the notion that mere "profession" of faith saves.. "Even the demons believe that there is on God... Genuine faith is the "root" salvation, and good works are the "fruit" of salvation.
"For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
"I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Galations 3:21
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law... for by the works of the law shall no man be justified." Galations 2:16
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
We are justified (declared righteous) by grace, through faith, on the merits of Christ's blood, and the proof is in His resurrection. The "evidence" that we've been saved and justified is the fruit that we produce, as James rightly points out...
Listen to what Christ said about "justification"...
Luke 18:9 "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
It is a humbling thing to rest completely and only on Christ and His sin atoning sacrifice made at the place called Calvary. It is our fallen nature that causes us to resist salvation as a free gift... Our sinful nature rebels against grace.. We want to be like Cain and offer something from our own hands.. Even when God has clearly said.. "Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.."
"The wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." Romans 6:23
Now, go do the right thing, friend.
Again and again, you are incorrect. Saying it over and over will not MAKE it correct! Both James AND Paul AND Peter AND John AND Jesus say that love towards God and our neighbor MUST be added to our faith to enter heaven. I have given a number of verses that you have so far ignored. There are numerous verses that discuss this FACT of the Christian life. One must have faith AND works of love. Let’s re-visit James 2 for a moment…
James is giving real, pastoral application of the Christian life. A choice that even WE must face. He presents a hypothetical situation in James 2:1-5 of a rich man and a poor man entering into their assembly. He asks “What would you do if..?” to challenge the Christians. “Do I discriminate based on the wealth of another Christian?” “Shall I help this poor man without proper clothing or food?” Remember, later, James tells us that to NOT do something we know we should do is SINFUL… These questions confront the Christian who CLAIMS to have faith. James asks:
What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself” James 2: 14-17
In the rhetorical question above, James asks “shall faith be able to save him?” the answer is “NO”. This is not an abstract question, brother. James is asking uncomfortable questions to us. We can’t just sit back on our laurels, saying we love God, while refusing to help men in need. Having faith does not mean one will answer “yes” to the needs of a fellow brother in need. James is crystal-clear about this ultimatum by saying “CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?” Obviously, this tells the reader that something MORE is needed to be saved.
Now, let’s look at your verses…
"For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
No doubt, MY WORK ALONE is worthless. But in Christ, I am raised to a supernatural level, as I am part of Christ. When He abides in me, it is US who does the good work. This is verified by the following verse:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10
"I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Galations 3:21
Again, no doubt. If I think I can earn my salvation, or if I am a Jew who thinks that external works and national relations to Abraham guarantees me salvation, that God OWES me, than I am wrong.
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law... for by the works of the law shall no man be justified." Galations 2:16
See above. No one is justified by trying to earn salvation. Those in Christ are working in love. The inner motivation is different.
We are justified (declared righteous) by grace, through faith, on the merits of Christ's blood, and the proof is in His resurrection. The "evidence" that we've been saved and justified is the fruit that we produce, as James rightly points out...
And without this, our faith is dead. Thus, love must be added to faith… You have yet to say anything that proves your point.
Listen to what Christ said about "justification"...
Luke 18:9 "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: …
Look at verse 9, brother… TO THOSE CONFIDENT IN THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jesus makes the distinction between one who believes they are justified by does not love, looking down at others arrogantly – and those who are humble at heart, knowing that God does not owe them anything. Just as Paul says, Jesus teaches that life by a written code only breeds pride and arrogance as displayed by the Pharisees. God is pleased with one who loves from his heart, by the Spirit of God – seeking divine praise, not the praise of man.
It is a humbling thing to rest completely and only on Christ and His sin atoning sacrifice made at the place called Calvary. It is our fallen nature that causes us to resist salvation as a free gift... Our sinful nature rebels against grace.. We want to be like Cain and offer something from our own hands.. Even when God has clearly said.. "Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.." You want to know what Jesus said about justification and righteousness? Look at Matthew 5-7. You’ll find your answer there. For example:
For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:20
Or
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat 7:21
Now, go do the right thing, friend.
Thanks for your advice. I will continue trying to correct your errors and show others that Sola Fide is not a biblical theology...
Regards