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To: annalex; CynicalBear
So a faith without works is also dead "for others"? James says that? Where in the chapter -- or anywhere in the scripture -- a faith that is without works that saves one able to do the good work?

Thanks to CB for the link he gave, I think this explains it quite well:

    A man may say, 'I have faith.' 'Well,' says James, 'show me your faith' - not God, but me - 'Prove it. Show me your faith by your works; that is, your works of faith'.

    He continues, "What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works?" and then he gives an example of a man who needs something and another says, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled" but does not give him what he needs. His works are contrary to his confession and so James declares, "So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself" - it does no good to say 'I am a believer' unless it is seen by works.

    There may be some who say, "Thou hast faith and I have works", making a contradiction which does not exist. This is not the way. "Show me thy faith without works." - which is impossible, how can I show my faith to somebody without works of faith? ".and I from my works will show thee my faith" because that is the way to show faith before men.

    Further, it is not enough just to have an orthodox confession of faith, for somebody may say 'I believe that God is one," but while that is good, "The demons even believe, and tremble," so only to have an orthodox confession of faith that there is one God is not saving faith, there must be works of faith to show before men the faith that is in the heart. So on the one hand we are justified by faith and not by the works of law as is the theme of the Galatian Epistle, for the only thing the law can bring upon the Galatians was the curse, blessing only comes through faith, but James now shows the other side, saying the same living faith in our hearts, which God sees, must be shown before men to justify us in the sight of men. (http://www.biblecentre.org/addresses/mv_faith_and_works_in_james.htm>)


1,215 posted on 09/12/2013 4:35:00 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: boatbums; CynicalBear
to justify us in the sight of men

Like someone cares? We are talking, with St. James, salvation in eternity, not popularity.

Anther charlatan interpreting the Holy Scripture as he finds convenient. Yuk.

1,243 posted on 09/12/2013 7:08:11 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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