...did He exclude anyone from the works? The two examples of faith working given in James are Abraham the father of the faith and Rahab the Harlot. Also note that in John 4, Jesus used a samaritan "whore" to be His sower.
Additionally, if we tell someone that they are not good enough to work for God, are we telling them to break God's commandment to work?
2007-10-11 07:09:14 · 10 answers · asked by harry killwater 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Always remeber that the one making the inquiry about worls is a man of works and james identifies this man as vain...What do you want to know oh vain man...that faith without works is dead? Obviously.
The question speaks more directly to the fact that many churches will not let people work because of their weakknesses and failures....God did not say, "faith in the absence of moral righteousness is dead." I think that God used Rahab as an example on purpose to make a point...Our Father is very smart.
2007-10-11 07:38:45 · update #1
We don't have the tight to tell anyone that they cannot work for God! Who are we to judge who is worthy or who isn't?
2007-10-11 07:14:59 · answer #1 · answered by Special K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ahh, but you missed a very important detail.
Abraham did the things that he did, because he believed (had faith) in God (and it was counted to him as righteousness).
Also, Rahab, (on the other end of the spectrum) believed (had faith) in God.
They didn't do what they did in an effort to obtain faith, they did them BECAUSE of their faith.
If you say you have faith, but you continue to live a sinful lifestyle, you are only lying to yourself. You are not lying to God.
On the other hand, you can be as clean and pure as the driven snow, but if you do not believe (have faith) in God, how have you glorified Him?
Nobody ought to tell someone that they are not good enough to work for God...heck, even Lazarus worked for God, and he was DEAD at the time! But we also ought not to tell anyone that they can work their way into God's grace.
How would anyone ever know if their "work" was "good enough"? Would one sin undo a decade of good works?
Someone who did all the good things Jesus commanded (and who can find such a person?) would be a very good person indeed...but they would be a very bad Christian...for they would have eliminated their need for Christ.
Think about it.
2007-10-11 07:27:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No No No, ya got it all in the wrong context.
james was talking about the Gift of salvation, that it cannot be earned, it is a free Gift, This is what Paul was talking about, Now James was talking about a person who really has the Gift of salvation will do works, that is what he is talking about
It is like this, An Apple Tree is not an Apple tree if it produces no Apples, in the same sense, a Christian is no Christian at all without good works.
In Other words, The Natural condition of a transformed mind will be good works
A Christian will do good works as a by-product of a transformed mind.
2007-10-11 07:17:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a complicated question... yet I do imagine this is lower priced to deduce that faith and being born back will lead someone on a direction of righteousness. If one is baptized and leads an outrageously sinful existence, does no longer this is life like to deduce their faith replaced into depending in deception? guy is by utilizing nature susceptible, or perhaps the most effectual in faith fail at circumstances. yet, being reliable in faith, we rebound and go back to God with a sorrowful heart searching for forgiveness and healing. i imagine "faith without works is useless" skill if a guy claims to be Christian yet isn't outwardly residing the Christian existence of goodness and charity is being deceptive about their faith.
2016-10-20 06:43:48 · answer #4 · answered by swailes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kingdom of heaven is at hand, peace be with you.
Faith is believing enough in Jesus to keep His 75 commandments. Yes Jesus gave us 75 commandments. If you believed in His Words you would know this. If you believed in His Words, you would have taken up your cross and followed Him. By following Jesus and obeying His "Sayings" would result in many "good works", but if you offer Jesus only lip service, you will not obey His teachings and you will have no good works.
2007-10-11 07:25:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem to put other scripture in the way of not understanding !!! The individual before God must confess his sins to Him accept Him as Lord and Savior at that moment in time then God thru Christ will forgive him !!! God puts such joy in our hearts for what He has done for us at that moment and the future that we cannot help ourselves WE WANT TO PLEASE HIM WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE IN US !!! THAT IS THE WORKS GOD IS TALKING ABOUT !!!
On our many questions we have to let God be the final Judge and keep our spirit focused on our wonderful Saviour !!!
2007-10-11 07:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God takes us exactly as we are, but He cares enough not to leave us that way.
Faith without works simply means that someone who truly loves God and has faith will show it. Good deeds won't save anyone; however, good deeds are the evidence of someone who is save. They are transformed and it becomes natural for them to want to help others.
2007-10-11 07:17:14 · answer #7 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the thief hung on the cross next to Christ he said " I believe you to be the son of God"
Jesus said to the thief "You will join me in paradise"
Faith in action!
2007-10-11 07:18:17 · answer #8 · answered by tina w 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So your non-existent god is a bizzy body who wants you to interfere with everyones lives.
2007-10-11 07:15:20 · answer #9 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No deity has ever taught or commanded anything, since none exists.
2007-10-11 07:13:03 · answer #10 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋