Faith without deeds?

Question

In James 2, it talks about backing up our faith with deeds. Take a minute and read that chapter. For those of you who need an onlnie Bible, here is the link to www.Biblegateway.org and the 2nd chapter of James: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=66&chapter=2&version=31

What does this chapter mean to you and how would you apply it to your life?

Answer 1

You are asking about heavily disputed ground here.

Faith without works is dead. This is very important to know and understand.

First and foremost, you must have faith, that is accepting of all that God has done, all that he is doing, and all that he will yet do.

You must believe it all, not just parts. Once you understand this, you will feel a real physical need to come to the father through the son (as the bible teaches) and ask for this free gift of salvation that is there for each and everyone of us.

Once this is done for real (not for show), you will feel another great urge to read and re read the bible. You will begin to want to obey what the bible teaches you about how to live and how not to live. You will begin to find great joy in obeying God and casting off your self will and human weaknessess. This is truely what our "WORK" is. Our lives (deeds) will reflect what we feel on the inside (our heart).

If we have a heart for God and not for our self will, we will obey God and do his bidding (which he has written down in the bible).

So you can see from this if you simply come forth and accept Jesus into your heart, but there is no outward change in the way you live and think, you have simply not yet "really" accepted this free gift.

You can claim to have faith (Christianity) but if you fail to live it, you are only claiming, not yet posessing it.

Answer 2

This book was written to Jewish believers (although for all believers ) and basically is talking about the need to mature in the faith to endure the hard ships that will come physically and spiritual . In vs 2:22 you see where it says faith was made perfect by works. That means there is a maturing of the faith we have that is strengthened by the works of obedience we do. The example here is Abraham. When he offered up Isaac it was later on in His walk with God . God had already justified him by faith according to Paul in Rom 4:9-25 it seems that the faith Abraham had in believing God for his son Isaac is the clear section when God imputes Abrahams faith for righteousness Rom4
:20-22 Abraham . If you study Gen chp12 to chp 22 you can see the progression of faith through the tests or work he did. But clearly was justified before he offered up Isaac The eternal covenant which God could no break because he gave His word to Abraham was give to Him by God before he was asked to offer Isaac . The works in James ..faith with out works is dead is showing the state of a person like Lot called righteous but had no strength to live a holy life his faith was dead ,but he was righteous ( 2peter 2:7-9)

Answer 3

It taught that good works would automatically flow from someone with genuine faith (also known as lordship salvation). I believe this is true but in its proper context it only applies to the elected firstfruits body that was called out in the first century. Sure, believers can see the importance of doing good works as a representation of their faith to others because of these verses but believers today are unable to be a part of the mission which the church through Christ accomplished.

Answer 4

Charity, Faith and Good Works is just like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Two things and a resultant action.

Answer 5

If you need a job and pray for a job, yet never apply for a job, then that's "faith without works(or deeds)". You can have faith all you want, but until you do something to help yourself, nothing will happen!

Answer 6

Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jam 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1Jo 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Answer 7

You cant just live life believing in something you have to make use of your most cherished possession which is your life so lead a worth while life plus I don't think a god would care what religion you are since it is next to impossible to hit the right one there are too many if whatever god is as all knowing as he is said to be he would understand.

Answer 8

Because God has gifted us with faith, from a thankful, grateful heart we serve Him. Our works are not perfect...

To say we are saved and have no works is an oxymoron...it can't happen. All real christians will have works.. No, their works don't save them. All real christians will want to know and study their Bible...even if it isn't daily.

The idea of having permanent babes in Christ is a fallacy. All real Christians will mature ... even if it is very slow.

Will the real Christians please stand up?

Answer 9

We must always keep the faith and carry out good deeds, whereever, whenever, there is a need. Also, prayer without faith is useless. Agree? God bless.