Is Faith without work is dead?

Question

YES James 2:17-26 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? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Answer 1

I am not Christian, but it makes sense to me that true faith includes works--if you actually have faith, actually believe that Jesus is in your heart & part of your life, you'll be affected by his example, and that will show in the life you lead.

Faith doesn't just mean "I believe he lived and was killed and is willing to be killed for me." Plenty of non-Christians believe that. Faith is making that *important* to your life, trusting that your devotion means something--and that kind of trust and devotion creates a visible, outward expression; the works will follow the path of the faith.

This is true for any faith. "By their fruits ye shall know them"--what a person says he believes tells you nothing, because words and even beliefs can be a tangled mess; you know the truly spiritual by their lives, by the way they treat other people, by the way they bring an awareness of the sacred to everyone they touch.

Answer 2

Another apparent contradiction but not so. There's a difference between justification and sanctification. I would expand upon this but it's already done and I'll give credit where it due. The following taken from a web site indicated below:

The Bible teaches that one is justified once they trust in Christ (through faith (Rom. 3:24-25; 4:5;5:1,l8).

Justification speaks of a legal declaration that gives one a right standing before God. It is a one time event. It involves an imputed righteousness of Christ in which we, although we are sinners, are pronounced "not guilty" of sin as in a court of law. We are cleared of any charges against us. Christ's sacrifice means he was punished in our place, satisfying the demands of the law, and God's justice upon sin.

Sanctification begins with justification - it means to separate one unto Christ's service.We are both sanctified and justified when we exercise faith in the gospel for salvation. Sanctification is a continual work of the Holy Spirit in the believer to conform us to the image of God's Son. It is the holy Spirits work to bring practical holiness and the fruit of the Spirit in ones live. This is continual process until one is taken to be with the Lord.

Glorification is the ending of the sanctification process and occurs when we get to Heaven, either by means of death, rapture, or resurrection. We are then in an eternal state and have been made righteous in our nature.

Answer 3

This passage is very true look close at verse 18.. I'll put it in more modern English.. Show ME you faith without your works I will show YOU my faith by my works.. I can't see your heart like God can. He knows of your faith without seeing the works. But you can tell me all day long that you have faith, the only way I can see it is by your works. This complimented in Eps 2:8-10 For by grace we are save through faith and that not of ourselves it's a gift of God NOT of works lest any man should boast, who created us in Christ Jesus to do good works.
There are those pesky works again This time it clearly shows that we are given our Faith by God and then sent out to do good works. The works don't do the saving they are evidence of a changed heart. For by no works of the Law shall any flesh be saved..

Answer 4

Well I believe that if you have faith and you believe in Jesus and you try to give your life to the Lord and let him take control of it, then he will give you his desires and then you will want to do the things of God that need to be done. But you should always make sure that if you are going to start doing something for God, you should really try to make sure that he is calling the shots, or leading you that way, in a certain direction.
It should be a deep conviction in your heart, and ask God to confirm what you already believe in doing for him !

Answer 5

Definitely, because faith without good works are beliefs of people with conceit. God doesn't want us to do good things only for HIm but for those who are the least of all his children and good works is the answer to this. Humbleness, humility does it.

Answer 6

No, I am sad to say it is not. My boyfriend believe good works have no part in salvation. I tried to point out you can't really accept Jesus WITHOUT helping others, but apparently I'm the one who's confused?

Move to the south and you'll see plenty of these people. They believe James was Jesus's brother but don't accept his teachings. Makes no sense to me.

Answer 7

Yes it is. It's good to see it put into perspective like that. If you have faith and don't put it to work then what is it you really have faith in?

Answer 8

You have answered your own question. Yes.

Answer 9

Why did you answer your own question, love? O.o

Answer 10

why did you ask a question and then answer it yourself