“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18 ESV)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Look at us! Our Master surely disapproves. We are straining at gnats!
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18 ESV)
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I agree with both verses. Not every who claims to be a Christian is one. Only those that do his will and we are back to John 6:28-29 again.
The idea of salvation by grace alone through faith in NO WAY contradicts James. Works are how we show our faith to others, God judges us by our hearts.
Mormons often used James 2:14ff as “proof” that salvation comes by works. It does not. A life of good works is consistent with abiding in Christ. Faith comes first, then works.
Just what IS that 'will'?
Just what IS that 'will'?