I don’t have time to reply to all of this this evening, but I will say that your comments on faith here aren’t biblical and apparently call Jesus a liar. Throughout the four Gospels Jesus spoke of faith over and over again, including to people about the faith they had or didn’t have. People were healed and brought back from the dead on the basis of faith. And people have also been martyred on the basis of faith, and suffered or been threatened with it because of faith. Hebrews 11 talks all about faith. The only thing James talks about is that if one *says* he has faith, what he does should display his faith. The Old Testament commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain is related to this. It doesn’t just mean using His name as a swear word, but actually means lifting up His name in an unworthy manner. If you go around telling people you’re a Christian while having an affair, embezzling, or being greedy, your works don’t match your profession of faith. I must stop here for now, but I wonder from (Cont’d)
Then you cannot read, or you do not know Christ. Maybe both.
>>>Throughout the four Gospels Jesus spoke of faith over and over again, including to people about the faith they had or didn’t have. People were healed and brought back from the dead on the basis of faith. And people have also been martyred on the basis of faith, and suffered or been threatened with it because of faith.<<<
That is true. But Christ said we are to be judged according to our works. Do you not believe Christ?
>>>Hebrews 11 talks all about faith.<<<
These are also from the Hebrews:
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Heb 6:10 KJV)
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" (Heb 10:24 KJV)
"Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Heb 13:21 KJV)
>>>The only thing James talks about is that if one *says* he has faith, what he does should display his faith.<<<
Actually, James says that if you have faith, what you do WILL display your faith. But that is just a minor point. James also asks this question:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" (Jam 2:14 KJV)
Well, can it? Can faith save you?
James also said that you cannot have faith without works:
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (Jam 2:17 KJV)
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (Jam 2:26 KJV)
And he said you cannot be justified by faith, alone. Rather, he said that you are justified by your works:
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (Jam 2:24 KJV)
And, in explaining your referenced Romans chapter 4 regarding Abraham's justification by faith, James states:
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (Jam 2:20-22 KJV)
And, no matter how we interpret Paul and James, Jesus is on record (many times) stating that he will judge us according to our works. No offense, but I trust Jesus far more than I trust you, or any denomination or creed.
>>>The Old Testament commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain is related to this. It doesn’t just mean using His name as a swear word, but actually means lifting up His name in an unworthy manner. If you go around telling people you’re a Christian while having an affair, embezzling, or being greedy, your works don’t match your profession of faith. I must stop here for now, but I wonder from what you write, what you believe about the need for absolute surrender to the Lord, and about witnessing and evangelism.<<<
I wonder the same thing about you. Did you become like a little child before you called upon the name of the Lord (Luke 18:17?) Were you poor in spirit (Mat 5:3?) How do you know you are born again? Have you been born of the spirit?
Philip