What does THIS mean in light of the "faith only" doctrine?

Question

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also". James 2:26
What does THIS mean? In other words: How does T-H-I-S statement tie in with the "faith only" doctrine.
Christians believe that the Word of God does NOT contradict itself. Certainly I do. Then how does THIS Word of God coincide with "faith only"?

Rural, Then why does it say: "To have faith and no works is useless"? If faith without works cannot get one eternal life, what good id it?

oldguy, Yeah, but some people have faith but little or no works. Having faith does not necessarily cause a person to DO right. Some people are stubborn.

Fish, True. I just wish "Christians" could understand and stand on the issue alike. I see lots of division on this issue.

ioa, good for you.

AdoreHim, That helps, I agree; works ALONE certainly can't save one either. Thanks.

tagan, I see. What if one STOPS doing those "works"? HE decides to backslide. Is it possible for a person to "turn away from the faith"?

spiff, No disrespect. Believe me. But I'm not interested in the "treditions" of men. I'm looking for the Truth of the Word (the Bible).

Suspendor, I like that!

DG,
"You can't have faith without deeds and vice versa." "Bad works separate our spirits from God"
I think that's right in light of the scriptures.

air,
"Good works is the fruit of true faith under the new covenant."
I see. That's true.

maintenance,
"We are not responsible for the good we do".
Then why should would we expect to be rewarded "according to that which is done in this body, whether it be good or whether it be bad"?
I'm gettin' confused.
Are we responsible for the bad we do?

moose,
"The "Works" we are Commanded to do are spreading the word, feeding the flock and living as Christ showed & taught us.
The WORKS we are COMMANDED to do. What if one STOPS or does not obey that "command"?

Bobby, I don't have a problem with the "thief on the cross". The GOSPEL and the CHURCH had not been established. He was under the old law. Plus Jesus can do whatever he pleases. He is God.
"Good works are a response to the faith that Jesus gives us."
This confuses me further. I thought "I" had to HAVE faith. I didn't think Jesus "gives" faith. Don't we need to HAVE faith in Jesus. And besides, we have the choice to either have faith in Him or not. It's up to us.

Janet v 8 says we are saved by GRACE (of God), right?
What I get out of the gospel is that; the FIRST (not the only) step WE must do is have faith in Jesus. i'm just saying; as far as I can tell from the scriptures, i can't STOP right there. I now have some "work" to do. And if I don't or if I cease to DO those things as diligently as I can, i will have to answer to it.

tagen, So how about the seven churches of Asia in Revelations 2 and 3. They were warned about their lukewarmed condition. Some WERE in favor with Christ, but had turned away, etc. Christ warned them to get it together together or He would take away the promise of eternal life.
But you say they were NOT saved to begin with. I don't know friend.

Answer 1

Faith is gas in your tank. Works is the needle on the gas gauge. If the needle says empty, you got no gas.

Answer 2

Some faiths believe that salvation is a result of faith + works.

Salvation based on faith only reveals that good works grow out of faith, as a result of the love and grace experienced from Jesus Christ.

By the doctrine of salvation by faith + works, the thief on the cross that was promised to be with Jesus in paradise that very day, could not have made it to heaven because he had no works after his profession of faith, and his death on the cross.
That would make Jesus a liar, and I don't think either of us wants to go so far as to adopt THAT statement!

Good works are a response to the faith that Jesus gives us.

Answer 3

The gospel does not contradict itself. A lot of people confuse this passage as an invite to do good works or " be a good person" to achieve salvation. When we put our Faith in Christ, He does good works thru us. We are not responsible for the good we do, rather the Holy Spirit guides us to. Read a few verses before this one. Maybe the actions of Rahab will clarify this. Also read Ephesians 2: 7-9. I hope this helps rather than confuses you.
tagan is right on target. We are saved thru Faith alone.

Answer 4

What is the problem, there is no conflict.

One is saved by faith alone in God-period end of story. James is not talking about salvation, he is talking about those who claim to have faith, yet do not act like it.
Notice below-it is not by works-

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)

Now, James was talking to Jews. Paul in Ephesians was talking to Christians. You will always notice a little difference in this. Keep your context straight, and you will be able to seperate scripture correctly.

Answer 5

Good Q. What the Context here is saying is NOT Contradictory in its' "Time Frame"! This V. "Time Frame" is After Conversion / Salvation!!! People often Erroneously believe that their "Good Works" is what will "Save" them & get them to Heaven. Scripture is also Clear on this point in both Isiah 64:6 (works are as Filthy Rags [menstrual rags]) and I Cor. 3:12& 13 (good works are as wood, hay & stubble which when tested by fire are consumed.) The "Works" we are Commanded to do are spreading the word, feeding the flock and living as Christ showed & taught us. We are NOT to be Bible Thumpers nor BIG BOX CHURCH BUILDERS!!! Christianity is NOT ANY CHURCH!!! It IS a ONE on ONE RELATIONSHIP as UR OWN BELIEVER PRIEST TOWARDS GOD!!! John

Answer 6

this actually is a very easy question to answer. First of all, I can see why you might think this is contradiction, but it is not. "Faith only" means- for salvation. Once saved, we will do works to show we have faith. This really does not contradict if you see it this way. Works- will not save you, but once saved- we will want to do works, that God has prepared for us to do in advance. We have been saved by grace, through faith- then we act on that faith. Does that help at all? Hope so, God bless,

Answer 7

Good works is the fruit of true faith under the new covenant.

Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Answer 8

Read the rest of the passage, it takes a whole chapter to explain it. Also read Romans 10:10. "For with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness." The Bible does not contradict itself, it always has taught that if you have faith it will produce works in your life, and if it does not than that faith is dead.

Answer 9

Genuine Christian faith must result in recognizable holy living. I doubt anyone would doubt this if they are a Christian.

Hey, I found something else. "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (Even when our work does not stand the test, our salvation, being based on our sincere faith is Christ, is not lost.) Read 1 Cor. 3:15.

Answer 10

Makes sense to me. You can't have faith without deeds and vice versa. Humble, sincere faith in God, with guidance by His Holy Spirit, will yield the fruits of the Holy Spirit, guaranteed. But what Christians battle 24/7 is the desires of our flesh that gravitate towards sin more than God. So, the desires of the flesh will interfere with our works if we allow our flesh to dominate our inner spirit. Bad works separate our spirits from God. Separation from God is spiritual death.

Answer 11

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Email me. I will be more than happy to continue this discussion... I have helped many to understand this passage. My email is (@yahoo.com): brainfriedperson. [I split up my email like this to keep automated machines from harvesting my email address for spammers.]


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If one stops these works, then they most likely weren't saved to begin with. The bible teaches that you can do SOME "works" without the faith, but they are not the works of the spirit. If you stop producing the works, then you were not saved to begin with. The Bible clearly teaches that once you are saved BY FAITH, you are ALWAYS saved! You CANNOT lose your salvation. Email me if you want to know more!!!
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Simple. You accept Christ as your saviour BY FAITH ALONE. If you truly have faith in Christ, then you will produce the works, or "Fruit" of that faith. If you claim to have the "Faith," but you produce no evidence of that faith, then it is dead! --its not real faith in the true God!

Like I said, simple!

According to the Bible, we do good works BECAUSE we are saved, not to BECOME saved.