Replies

“James is only saying that the person may be unsaved or simply [a] saved individual whose faith is not producing any fruit.”

No again, but his argument is not that a fruitless person may be saved, but that a faith that has no works is not saving.

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14)

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Nowhere does the Bible teach that a faith that is not of the type that will confess Christ is salvific.

(Heb 6:9) But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”

And it is because of such that Paul knew that souls such as the Thessalonians were saved:

(1 Th 1:4,8-9) “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. {9} For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”

(1 John 5:13) “These things [1:1-5:12] have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

[“James is only saying that the person may be unsaved or simply [a] saved individual whose faith is not producing any fruit.”]

No again, but his argument is not that a fruitless person may be saved, but that a faith that has no works is not saving. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14)

The key word is say hath faith.

He will show if he truely has faith by the fruit he bears.

Note, the verse 'and one of you say unto them, depart ye in peace be ye filled;

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20)

Yes, it is a 'dead' faith, not producing fruit.

It doesn't mean the person is unsaved.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Again a dead faith.

Nowhere does the Bible teach that a faith that is not of the type that will confess Christ is salvific.

Yes for one to be saved, he must believe on Him, who is stating otherwise?

That doesn't mean that individual will produce fruit that will show he is saved.

(John 10:27-28) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (Heb 6:9) But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”

Those verses have nothing to do with is being discussed.

And it is because of such that Paul knew that souls such as the Thessalonians were saved: (1 Th 1:4,8-9) “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. {9} For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” (1 John 5:13) “These things [1:1-5:12] have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Yes, producing fruit SHOWS others you are saved.

It SHOWS one's faith.

So how much 'fruit' did Lot produce, a man Peter calls a 'rightous man'?

If you didn't read 2Pe.2:7-8 and only read the OT accounts of Lot (incest, drunkeness, greed) you would never consider Lot a saved man-but he was.

'My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and truth' (1Jn.3:18)