Deason, I agree that a Christian is someone who has been born again of God's Spirit, or Holy Ghost, and believing the gospel is also important. But wouldn't you agree that belief in itself is not enough to save a person, that they have to receive Christ in order to be saved? James 2:19 says that even the demons believe. But their belief does not save them.
I am not trying to discredit anything you are saying, and I agree with everything you said for the most part. I just didn't see any mention about receiving Christ. You are spot on about eternal life, and about people who claim to be Christians but have never been born again. I think you just described the people Adam is referring to in his post, the ones who claim to be followers, but then later denounce the whole thing. I don't think those people were ever saved to begin with. 1 John 2:19 describes the people Adam is referring to. Those people were never saved, even though they were "followers," proving John's point!
Deason K. ( James 2:26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ( James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ( James 2:18) 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. Read James 2:19-24..I am not trying to work my way to heaven, by my faith I will have good works, faith and works go hand in hand, if you have one without the other than it is not complete..That's why Matthew 7:20 says By their fruits ye shall know them. May God bless you.
With the uncertainty of life & what the next day or hour brings, your pressing enquiry to Christ's salvation offer, comes at the right time. Many people say they believe in God & that is enough. But that is not enough, as even the apostle James reminds us in James 2:19, "Thou believest there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble". And the devil & his demons know that their time is short ( Rev 12:12) and it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God ( Heb 10:31). You are near to God because you love Him & want to know His Way of Salvation - the devil also knows the way but will never take it & tries his hardest to prevent others doing so. God bless.
Hey Teresa, I can not tell you all that salvation means in a short paragraph but know that Salvation is by one name, JESUS CHRIST. He and the Father are one and you must call upon Christ to save you From Sin, Death, and Hell for he payed the ultimate price and suffered for all men that we may be saved! I am glad that you believe in God! But be careful for many may claim to believe but are not truly saved ( James 2:19). I encourage you to read Ephesians 2:8 and really that whole chapter! Also a simple way to explain salvation is that you must Hear the word ( Rom. 10:17) and then Believe ( John 3:16). Repent ( Acts 17:30), and Confess that he is LORD ( Rom. 10:10).
Bill...the Book of James has been in contention over the centuries, as an authority that faith alone does not give salvation. If that were the case, then Jesus' death on the cross is of no effect since one's accepting of it by faith alone secures salvation. If anything else is included, viz. good works for others, baptism, faithfulness in Church going or tithing, etc., then Christ's work & salvation are no longer of grace but of works. ( Rom 11:5,6). However, James is correct, that the proof of real saving faith is seen in a life of good works. If a Christian says that he has faith, and have not works, his faith is dead (Js 2:14-17). Faith saves, but works follow only as evidence of grace.
Satan is the father of lies and he likes to deceive Christians into thinking they don't have to stop sinning, that they can stay in the world and partake of its evil without consequence, because, hey, 'once saved, always saved'. But is that true? Which circumstance is satan more likely behind: that he deceives Christians into avoiding sin and being stronger followers of Jesus than they need to be, or that he deceives Christians into believing their sin doesn't matter and they can enjoy unlimited sinning without consequence? Obviously the latter is the one satan uses to deceive and we hear this even preached in churches. Jesus himself said otherwise: John 14:15
Our modern day evangelical churches are all preaching we are saved by faith alone and not works. This is not true. The whole theme of the New Testament tells a different story. We must be holy and live righteously. The early Christians taught this and it is everywhere in the scriptures. If our lives look like the rest of the world we are lost.
Well first, a saved Christian isn't sinless. No one's sinless. That's why you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ because only his righteousness can get you to heaven. And James's listeners were Christians ( James 2:1) "My brethren, do not hold the faith of OUR Lord Jesus Christ, etc." This sort of statement can only be made to Jewish believers
Also, I never said no faith will save you. But aside from that let me talk about "faith without works is dead". When something is dead does that mean it's non-exsistant? No. In context, it means it's unprofitable or inactive. The presence of faith is not in question, remember these are believers. Salvation is done with. Now he's talking about service.
Adam, I'll try to answer as best I can but I have limited Characters so my answers won't be as detailed as I want them to be. First, James isn't talking about how to be saved.You'll notice James calls his audience "brethren". He was talking to already saved people about rewards/Helping a brother in need/being justified in mans eyes/maturing your faith etc. And the demons believe "there is one God" (see James 2:19) not they believe the Gospel(which is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 the truth that saves us). And if you've believed the Gospel. You've repented. You've changed your mind. You went from trusting in personal goodness/works/religion to Jesus alone. And will go to heaven when you die.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and (do not) the things which I say?
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? verse 22,23, 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
If you will read the book of James it will help.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Wish this was more helpful. Sorry
C Lewis - I agree with you we are saved by Grace through faith. James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven. ( 2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:) Read ( Matthew 25) its all good not just the verse that makes us feel good.
Sin is sin, you've broken one law you've broken them all, the law is like a 10 link chain holding you over the abyss, does it matter which link breaks? I think the lake of fire will be as hot for Satan's followers as it is for Satan.
1 John 3:4 Sin is the transgression of the law, Romans 3:20 for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:31 Do we make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law. Romans 7:12 The law is holy, and the commandment is holy. Acts 17:30 In times of ignorance,God winks at,but now commands every man to repent. James 2:17 Faith without works is dead.Our part"works"is being obedient
So this entire OSAS belief stands on misinterpreting that one verse while disregarding the numerous other Bible verses? You incorrectly assumed my beliefs on grace BTW. In your view if Christians are saved regardless why do you believe Jesus said to keep his commandments? What is your exact reason for being obedient if there's no incentive to do so and zero consequence for not? James 2:26 Have you prayed and asked God if your view is true? 2 Peter 2 says what happens to disobedient people including Christians who turn away (verse 21).
Romans 1:3-4 tells me in has been declared and settled in heaven that Jesus is the Son if God. Your way too late and way too out of context to place another perverted gospel called the trinity. That all started from the Roman Catholic church by using out of context scriptures. Bug deal you believe in one God so does the devil James 2:19. Only difference is devils tremble while man just pervets
I do not belive in Jesus I believe Jesus which means I believe his words. The devils believes in and trembles while man just perverts and does not tremble James 2:19. Jesus is no longer around to be followed he gave us his words as we know Jesus no more after the flesh 2nd Cor 5:16-17. I am after the cross. Before the cross and after the cross are two different things in the bible.
Don't know where you get your funny teaching from because none of it is bible. My bible says faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26. I am not saved by works I stay saved by works. 100 conditional love as the words, "If, whosoever, he that, him that" etc. Jesus chooses whosoever and not everybody. He is real picky. He called the foolish thing Paul. Now that Paul got saved he cleaned up.
Devils believe in Jesus and God James 2:19 but they sure don't believe them and their words. Ask them 7 tv preacher selling you their garbage. 2nd Peter 2:1-3. Difference between man and devils is devil tremble while man just perverts and does not tremble.
My bible says faith without works is dead. It takes works to remain saved. I was not saved by works, but now that I am saved we stay saved by works. James 2:14-26. Jesus told us to strive and that takes works. Paul told us to fight, run, flee etc. Action verbs and words.
James 2:14-26 he says in verse 26 that they are connected the same as life and breath are. Matthew 5:46,47 is not works it is natural carnal man. Verse 44 is works and without faith it is impossible to want to do those works. Because they seem foolish in the eyes of carnal man.
To believe what you just said you'd have to disregard so many parts of the Bible. Just one of the scriptures above proves it, but it doesn't stop there- many scriptures saying no one has extra privileges or salvation above anyone else. Since you're accusing others of believing lies what if you're the one sharing falsehoods? The devil wants to divide people and spread lies. Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34, 1 Peter 1:17, James 2:1-4, Mark 16:15.
The law is perfect but it must now be done in THRU our black messiah way. Not the way the churches are putting it read and let TMHIGHNY bring understanding to you We must have faith and we must have works the two go together we must know why are we having grace for grace isn t a license to sin grace is a period to get ourselves right and follow the law in doing the fruits of the spirit Galatians
Bible says if you break one law you are guilty of then all I don't read in his word he's going say you did this but not that. The law is a whole he will deliver justice as he sees fit. Yes he is a just God not us. I don't know what he'll do. I've been called to trust and obey.
studying the text. there are severities in greater transgressions then others,I dont believe a mans punishment for coveting his Neighbor wife verses Hitler's slaughtering 16 million jews desevers equal punishment,we have a just God,I also believe in concerns of the Law'sin'is the same from one law to the next Law to all the Laws sin is sin but dont be decieved that if you break one your guilty all
I am not trying to discredit anything you are saying, and I agree with everything you said for the most part. I just didn't see any mention about receiving Christ. You are spot on about eternal life, and about people who claim to be Christians but have never been born again. I think you just described the people Adam is referring to in his post, the ones who claim to be followers, but then later denounce the whole thing. I don't think those people were ever saved to begin with. 1 John 2:19 describes the people Adam is referring to. Those people were never saved, even though they were "followers," proving John's point!
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:20 View whole chapter | See verse in context
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead
Luke 6:46 Jesus said why call me Lord Lord and DO NOT the things which I say --
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God.
Also, I never said no faith will save you. But aside from that let me talk about "faith without works is dead". When something is dead does that mean it's non-exsistant? No. In context, it means it's unprofitable or inactive. The presence of faith is not in question, remember these are believers. Salvation is done with. Now he's talking about service.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and (do not) the things which I say?
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? verse 22,23, 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
If you will read the book of James it will help.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Wish this was more helpful. Sorry
Luke 8:27-37
James 2:19