Dead faith isnt really faith at all is it. As James said, I will show you my faith by my works which indicates a living faith. James didnt say the living faith didnt save. He said that a living faith exhibited by works that it is indeed a living faith is what saves. He confirmed that by saying I will show you my faith by my works. Man can have works without faith but it will not save him. Man cannot have saving faith without works but its not the works that saves.
My point exactly.
He said that a living faith exhibited by works that it is indeed a living faith is what saves. He confirmed that by saying I will show you my faith by my works. Man can have works without faith but it will not save him.
Exactly.
Thanks CB; more plainly stated than I tried to state it but exactly what is meant in the passage. Unlike the Roman Catholic position that faith AND works saves, this passage is clear: faith only saves; the works we do are because of our faith!
And STILL no evidence of a Biblical purgatory. :)
Hoss
I prefer James's summary to yours as I can be certain it is correct. It is not Sola Fide.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
I see the union of faith and good works as well expressed in this passage as well. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.