Faith & Works; Paul & James: 1
Brad Reiches
Nov 30 2006 01:55AM
Brad Reiches
Nov 30 2006 01:55AM
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Thursday, November 30, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!
GodThoughtsWired!
"Paul & James;
Faith & Works"
Faith & Works"
PART 1
Ok, let's start off by getting good and confused.
Paul said, "A man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Romans 3:28). However, James said, "A man is justified by works, and not by faith alone" (James 2:24). Now how's that for an apparent contradiction?
Let's continue. Paul declared, "For by grace you have been save through faith...not as a result of works..," and "A man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16). Yet, James proclaimed, "Faith without works is useless," and Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself," and "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14, 17, 26).
So, we have the Bible clearly communicating the following, both at the same time. 1. The faith that saves us is not based on, nor does it result from, the "works of the Law." 2. We cannot be saved by "faith without works." It is "useless," as James describes. Something that is "useless" has no value. Salvation, of course, is of inestimable value.
ARE YOU CONFUSED YET?
Further, guess who said the following? "What matters is the keeping of the commandments of God?"
Paul said, "A man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Romans 3:28). However, James said, "A man is justified by works, and not by faith alone" (James 2:24). Now how's that for an apparent contradiction?
Let's continue. Paul declared, "For by grace you have been save through faith...not as a result of works..," and "A man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16). Yet, James proclaimed, "Faith without works is useless," and Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself," and "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14, 17, 26).
So, we have the Bible clearly communicating the following, both at the same time. 1. The faith that saves us is not based on, nor does it result from, the "works of the Law." 2. We cannot be saved by "faith without works." It is "useless," as James describes. Something that is "useless" has no value. Salvation, of course, is of inestimable value.
ARE YOU CONFUSED YET?
Further, guess who said the following? "What matters is the keeping of the commandments of God?"
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