[boatbums]

No one is ever saved by works or faith+works in the OT, NT or end times.

The Apostle James writes that we are justified by works and faith together. The Apostle Paul writes we are saved by grace through faith. Since the scripture cannot be broken, both must be equally true. We are being saved by grace through faith in concert with works of faith that produce fruit of righteousness, and it is the gift of God.

The Apostle James is talking about how OTHERS see our faith, how that a genuine faith WILL show by the fruit it bears. That is why James repeats phrases like "you see" and "seest thou". Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. We are saved by grace through faith, alone, but it is a faith that is not alone. The fruit genuine faith bears does NOT contribute to our salvation, because our salvation is NOT by works - we don't earn, deserve or merit eternal life - it is ALL by grace.

So, even before the law, after the law, after Christ came the first time, before and after He returns again, it is ALWAYS by grace that God saves us. The sheep did the courageous and right things during the Tribulation because they WERE sheep already. The "goats" were always goats and their actions showed it. Someone helping the Jews during the Tribulation did not turn a goat into a sheep, it just demonstrated that he/she really was a sheep.

[af_vet_1981]

The Apostle James is talking about how OTHERS see our faith, how that a genuine faith WILL show by the fruit it bears. That is why James repeats phrases like "you see" and "seest thou". Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. We are saved by grace through faith, alone, but it is a faith that is not alone. The fruit genuine faith bears does NOT contribute to our salvation, because our salvation is NOT by works - we don't earn, deserve or merit eternal life - it is ALL by grace.


So, even before the law, after the law, after Christ came the first time, before and after He returns again, it is ALWAYS by grace that God saves us. The sheep did the courageous and right things during the Tribulation because they WERE sheep already. The "goats" were always goats and their actions showed it. Someone helping the Jews during the Tribulation did not turn a goat into a sheep, it just demonstrated that he/she really was a sheep.

1. The Apostle James is writing to Jewish believers in Messiah. He is not discussing how others view our profession of faith. He writes to a "vain man" who imagines we can be saved by faith alone without works. He is concerned, just as is the LORD, that our faith pass the test. It must have fruit, works of faith or it is dead and of no salvific value. The Catholics have this right. No presumption, no despair, just enduring faith bringing forth good works until the day we are judged.
2. We are not saved by faith alone.
3. We are saved by the grace of God.
4. God requires works, deeds, fruit to accompany our faith, whether others see it or not. The parables of the ten virgins, talents, and sheep and goats, demonstrate this truth.

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.


14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?