James 2:14-26
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
The above scripture shows James comparing his faith with that of other Christians. James claims that if other Christians want to prove to him (James) that they have faith, they must show good works.
But who cares whether James believes in one's faith or not? James is not our judge. God is, and God looks into the heart to find faith, not at good works.
God doesn't really care what we do, he'll forgive every sin as long as the sinner has faith.
2007-07-03 03:48:07 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
James point here does not negate faith as the cornerstone of our salvation, what it does is indicate that if our faith is true, our works should be a clear indicator of that. Proclaiming our faith is the most important step we can make in our walk with Christ-it is the one that assures our salvation. And James does not dispute that here. However, faith is not our ONLY step in our walk with Christ, if it is, than ours is a truly selfish religion. Faith is a choice we make driven by entirely selfish motive-God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son....and our acceptance of faith in that assures OUR OWN salvation, and that is not incorrect, but it is incomplete. If we are to live our lives in the image of Christ, should our works not line up with our faith? God does look into the heart to find faith, but if we are to walk the walk that Jesus walked our faith and works must line up. I don't believe that James says anything contradictory here.
2007-07-03 04:31:36 · answer #1 · answered by Jamie G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reading and not understanding is a terrible thing. I was told a story about a tightrope walker who showed a group of people he could walk across a 1000 ft. divide. He then demostrated that he could actually push a wheelbarrow full of bricks. He showed the crowd that the bricks weighed approximately 175 pounds. He then asked who had "faith" that he could wheel that weight in his wheelbarrow across the rope? All said they had "faith he could. He then went up to a 175 lb. man and said... "you raised your hand and said you had faith I could carry your weight across the rope, why don't you replace the bricks and sit in the wheelbarrow". That is what James is talking about, it's one thing to claim you have faith, but your actions should back up your claim.
2007-07-03 03:56:35 · answer #2 · answered by Scott B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's not saying what you're trying to make him say at all. He's saying that a Christian should be doing works because of their new nature.
God does care what you do. Yes, he'll forgive you, but you should be seeking to live a Christ-like life.
2007-07-03 04:45:22 · answer #3 · answered by Machaira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, God will forgive the sinner who has faith
BUT, if you read the passage above, faith is useless unless its active
2007-07-03 03:52:52 · answer #4 · answered by (insert creative name here) 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he was trying to get the believers to stop being selfish pricks like you see on tv trying to get your money, and instead actually do something good.
2007-07-03 03:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by PoseidenNeptuneReturns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋