Results 3861 - 3880 of 4232
|
||||||
Results from: Notes Author: kalos Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
3861 | Church is kidnapped to Sodom! | James 2:8 | kalos | 58559 | ||
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), AMPLIFIED 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly tells us: 1 Cor. 5:1-5 (ESV) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans...[2] And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. [3] For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. [4] When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, [5] you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 1 Cor. 5:9-11 (ESV) I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — [10] not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. [11] But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. What part of this do you people not understand? |
||||||
3862 | Church is kidnapped to Sodom! | James 2:8 | kalos | 58576 | ||
And the difference between the two is: David repented, but Saul never did. Also, even though David repented, he still reaped what he sowed. He still paid the natural consequences of his sin. And those consequences went far beyond the death of the baby conceived by Uriah's wife. | ||||||
3863 | How does mercy triumph over judgment? | James 2:13 | kalos | 133986 | ||
Rowdy: You write: "Praise the Lord for both the OT and NT." (10-04-04) You have written: "The Law of Moses and the OT has no authority to guide us in our spiritual relationship." (04-05-04) "What I am saying is that the OT has no place in our lives to speak with AUTHORITY about religious issues, especially with regard to the differences we see between the OT and the NT." (05/17/04) "...the Old Testament was obsolete..." (05/17/04) Grace to you, Kalos |
||||||
3864 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36059 | ||
The Spirit is Considered Divine The Spirit is Called God Acts 5:3-4 (ESV) But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? [4] While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." The Spirit is Called Lord 2 Cor. 3:17-18 (ESV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. The Spirit is Identified with Yahweh Numbers 24:2-4 (ESV) And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, [3] and he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, [4] the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: Numbers 24:12-13 (ESV) And Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, [13] 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak'? The Spirit is Soken of as Divine Matthew 12:32 (ESV) And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Mark 3:29 (ESV) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— |
||||||
3865 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36060 | ||
THE DEITY OF THE SPIRIT A. Proved by His Names. 1. Names which relate the Spirit equally to other Persons of the Trinity (1 Cor. 6:11). 2. Names which show Him doing works which only God can do (Rom. 8:15; John 14:16). B. Proved by His Characteristics. The Spirit possesses divine attributes. 1. Omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10-11). 2. Omnipresence (Ps. 139:7). 3. Omnipotence (Gen. 1:2). 4. Truth (1 John 5:6). 5. Holiness (Luke 11:13). 6. Life (Rom. 8:2). 7. Wisdom (Isa. 40:13). C. Proved by His Works. Works which only God can do are said to be done by the Spirit. 1. Creating (Gen. 1:2). 2. Inspiring (2 Peter 1:21). 3. Begetting Christ (Luke 1:35). 4. Convincing men (John 16:8). 5. Regenerating (John 3:5-6). 6. Comforting (John 14:16). 7. Interceding (Rom. 8:26-27). 8. Sanctifying (2 Thess. 2:13). D. Proved by His Being Equally Associated with other Persons of the Trinity (Acts 5:3-4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). (page 1940, Ryrie Study Bible, Moody Press, 1976, 1978) |
||||||
3866 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36061 | ||
C. God the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17. (http://sbc.net/BFAM2000-print.htm) |
||||||
3867 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36062 | ||
Who says: "There are two members of the God family - The Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is their power. ... Not one and not three - rather BOTH the Father and the Son."? (The Whole Truth: www.livingcog.org) Who says so? Herbert W. Armstrong, that's who. www.livingcog.org/ "Living Church of God - Who Are We? "The Living Church of God is a new organization with an old history. Its leader, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, was one of the original evangelists ordained by the late Herbert W. Armstrong in December 1952. For almost half a century Dr. Meredith has powerfully proclaimed the truth of God to millions through his hundreds of articles and booklets. He has conducted personal evangelistic campaigns throughout the United States, Canada, and the British Isles. Additionally, he has broadcast over radio and television to the whole English-speaking world." ************* Who is Herbert W. Armstrong? "The Worldwide Church of God" (the original organization founded by Herbert W. Armstrong) "became known for an assortment of doctrinal distinctives that placed it at odds with historic Christianity. Among other aberrations, Armstrong: "Condemned the Trinity as a pagan doctrine. " Taught that “all saints” become little gods after their resurrection. " Denied that Christians can be born again prior to the resurrection. " Promoted Anglo-Israelism, the belief that British people are the literal descendants of the ten “lost” tribes of Israel. " Urged keeping the Old Testament law, including strict Sabbath observance and dietary restrictions. " Prohibited celebrating Christmas or Easter, which he condemned as pagan holidays. (Instead, WCG members observed seven Holy Days: Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.) " Forbade members to consult medical doctors when sick. " Stressed tithing to a legalistic extreme. (Strictly observant WCG members gave 30 percent: 10 percent for a regular tithe, 10 percent to support the annual Feast of Tabernacles, and 10 percent intended to support widows and orphans within the WCG) " Forbade members to remarry after divorce and insisted that they remain celibate if they remarried after divorce. " Insisted that the WCG was the only true church. " Closed the movement’s doors to visitors and welcomed only converts. (CRI, STATEMENT DW070, www.equip.org) |
||||||
3868 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36289 | ||
Ray, my friend: It is SO good to hear from you. It's been awhile. Thanks for the feedback to my posting. Be assured that I will be praying for your health and healing. Keep up the good work on the forum. Grace and peace be multiplied to you, kalos |
||||||
3869 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36903 | ||
Who says: "There are two members of the God family - The Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is their power. ... Not one and not three - rather BOTH the Father and the Son."? (The Whole Truth: www.livingcog.org) Who says so? Herbert W. Armstrong, that's who. www.livingcog.org/ "Living Church of God - Who Are We? "The Living Church of God is a new organization with an old history. Its leader, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, was one of the original evangelists ordained by the late Herbert W. Armstrong in December 1952. For almost half a century Dr. Meredith has powerfully proclaimed the truth of God to millions through his hundreds of articles and booklets. He has conducted personal evangelistic campaigns throughout the United States, Canada, and the British Isles. Additionally, he has broadcast over radio and television to the whole English-speaking world." ************* Who is Herbert W. Armstrong? "The Worldwide Church of God" (the original organization founded by Herbert W. Armstrong) "became known for an assortment of doctrinal distinctives that placed it at odds with historic Christianity. Among other aberrations, Armstrong: "Condemned the Trinity as a pagan doctrine. " Taught that “all saints” become little gods after their resurrection. " Denied that Christians can be born again prior to the resurrection. " Promoted Anglo-Israelism, the belief that British people are the literal descendants of the ten “lost” tribes of Israel. " Urged keeping the Old Testament law, including strict Sabbath observance and dietary restrictions. " Prohibited celebrating Christmas or Easter, which he condemned as pagan holidays. (Instead, WCG members observed seven Holy Days: Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.) " Forbade members to consult medical doctors when sick. " Stressed tithing to a legalistic extreme. (Strictly observant WCG members gave 30 percent: 10 percent for a regular tithe, 10 percent to support the annual Feast of Tabernacles, and 10 percent intended to support widows and orphans within the WCG) " Forbade members to remarry after divorce and insisted that they remain celibate if they remarried after divorce. " Insisted that the WCG was the only true church. " Closed the movement’s doors to visitors and welcomed only converts. (CRI, STATEMENT DW070, www.equip.org) |
||||||
3870 | Is God ONE or is God THREE? | James 2:19 | kalos | 36904 | ||
Who says: "There are two members of the God family - The Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is their power. ... Not one and not three - rather BOTH the Father and the Son."? (The Whole Truth: www.livingcog.org) Who says so? Herbert W. Armstrong, that's who. www.livingcog.org/ "Living Church of God - Who Are We? "The Living Church of God is a new organization with an old history. Its leader, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, was one of the original evangelists ordained by the late Herbert W. Armstrong in December 1952. For almost half a century Dr. Meredith has powerfully proclaimed the truth of God to millions through his hundreds of articles and booklets. He has conducted personal evangelistic campaigns throughout the United States, Canada, and the British Isles. Additionally, he has broadcast over radio and television to the whole English-speaking world." ************* Who is Herbert W. Armstrong? "The Worldwide Church of God" (the original organization founded by Herbert W. Armstrong) "became known for an assortment of doctrinal distinctives that placed it at odds with historic Christianity. Among other aberrations, Armstrong: "Condemned the Trinity as a pagan doctrine. " Taught that “all saints” become little gods after their resurrection. " Denied that Christians can be born again prior to the resurrection. " Promoted Anglo-Israelism, the belief that British people are the literal descendants of the ten “lost” tribes of Israel. " Urged keeping the Old Testament law, including strict Sabbath observance and dietary restrictions. " Prohibited celebrating Christmas or Easter, which he condemned as pagan holidays. (Instead, WCG members observed seven Holy Days: Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.) " Forbade members to consult medical doctors when sick. " Stressed tithing to a legalistic extreme. (Strictly observant WCG members gave 30 percent: 10 percent for a regular tithe, 10 percent to support the annual Feast of Tabernacles, and 10 percent intended to support widows and orphans within the WCG) " Forbade members to remarry after divorce and insisted that they remain celibate if they remarried after divorce. " Insisted that the WCG was the only true church. " Closed the movement’s doors to visitors and welcomed only converts. (CRI, STATEMENT DW070, www.equip.org) |
||||||
3871 | By grace alone through faith alone | James 2:21 | kalos | 23334 | ||
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? (James 2:21 NASB) 2:21 *justified by works.* "This does not contradict Paul's clear teaching that Abraham was justified before God by grace alone through faith alone (Rom. 3:20; 4:1-25; Gal. 3:6, 11). "For several reasons, James cannot mean that Abraham was constituted righteous before God because of his own good works: "1) James already stressed that salvation is a gracious gift (1:17,18); "2) in the middle of this disputed passage (v. 23), James quoted Gen. 15:6, which forcefully claims that God credited righteousness to Abraham solely on the basis of his faith; and "3) the work that James said justified Abraham was his offering up of Isaac (Gen. 22:9,12), an event that occurred many years after he exercised faith and was declared righteous before God (Gen. 12:1-7, 15:6). Instead Abraham's offering of Isaac demonstrated the genuineness of his faith and the reality of his justification before God. "James is emphasizing the vindication before others of a man's claim to salvation. James' teaching perfectly complements Paul's writings; salvation is determined by faith alone (Eph. 2:8,) and demonstrated by faithfulness to obey God's will alone (Eph. 2:10)" (page 1930, MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, 1997). |
||||||
3872 | Does James 2 contradict Romans 4? | James 2:24 | kalos | 37841 | ||
Does James 2 contradict Romans 4? 'The most serious problem these verses pose is the question of what James 2:24 means: "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." Some imagine that this contradicts Paul in Romans 3:28: "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." John Calvin explained this apparent difficulty: 'It appears certain that [James] is speaking of the manifestation, not of the imputation of righteousness, as if he had said, Those who are justified by faith prove their justification by obedience and good works, not by a bare and imaginary semblance of faith. In one word, he is not discussing the mode of justification, but requiring that the justification of all believers shall be operative. And as Paul contends that men are justified without the aid of works, so James will not allow any to be regarded as Justified who are destitute of good works. . . . Let them twist the words of James as they may, they will never extract out of them more than two propositions: That an empty phantom of faith does not justify, and that the believer, not contented with such an imagination, manifests his justification by good works. [Henry Beveridge, trans., John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 3:17:12 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966 reprint), 2: 115.] 'James is not at odds with Paul. "They are not antagonists facing each other with crossed swords; they stand back to back, confronting different foes of the gospel." [The New International Commentary on the New Testament] In 1:17-18, James affirmed that salvation is a gift bestowed according to the sovereign will of God. Now he is stressing the importance of faith's fruit--the righteous behavior that genuine faith always produces. Paul, too, saw righteous works as the necessary proof of faith. 'Those who imagine a discrepancy between James and Paul rarely observe that it was Paul who wrote, "Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!" (Rom. 6:15); and "Having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (v. 18). Thus Paul condemns the same error James is exposing here. Paul never advocated any concept of dormant faith. 'When Paul writes, "by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight," (Rom. 3:20), 'he is combatting a Jewish legalism which insisted upon the need for works to be justified; James insists upon the need for works in the lives of those who have been justified by faith. Paul insists that no man can ever win justification through his own efforts. . . . James demands that a man who already claims to stand in right relationship with God through faith must by a life of good works demonstrate that he has become a new creature in Christ. With this Paul thoroughly agreed. Paul was rooting out 'works' that excluded and destroyed saving faith; James was stimulating a sluggish faith that minimized the results of saving faith in daily life. [D. Edmond Hiebert, The Epistle of James (Chicago: Moody, 1979), 175.] 'James and Paul both echo Jesus' preaching. Paul's emphasis is an echo of Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." James's teaching has the ring of Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." Paul represents the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; James the end of it. Paul declares that we are saved by faith without the deeds of the law. James declares that we are saved by faith, which shows itself in works. Both James and Paul view good works as the proof of faith--not the path to salvation. 'James could not be more explicit. He is confronting the concept of a passive, false "faith," which is devoid of the fruits of salvation. He is not arguing for works in addition to or apart from faith. He is showing why and how, true, living faith always works. He is fighting against dead orthodoxy and its tendency to abuse grace. 'The error James assails is faith without works; justification without sanctification; salvation without new life. 'Again, James echoes the Master Himself, who insisted on a theology of lordship that involved obedience, not lip-service. Jesus chided the disobedient ones who had attached themselves to Him in name only: "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Verbal allegiance, He said, will get no one to heaven: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). 'That is in perfect harmony with James: "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (1:22); for "faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (2:17). [Excerpted from Faith Works] www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/james2.htm |
||||||
3873 | Does James 2 contradict Romans 4? | James 2:26 | kalos | 151396 | ||
Does James 2 contradict Romans 4? 'The most serious problem these verses pose is the question of what James 2:24 means: "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." Some imagine that this contradicts Paul in Romans 3:28: "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." John Calvin explained this apparent difficulty: 'It appears certain that [James] is speaking of the manifestation, not of the imputation of righteousness, as if he had said, Those who are justified by faith prove their justification by obedience and good works, not by a bare and imaginary semblance of faith. In one word, he is not discussing the mode of justification, but requiring that the justification of all believers shall be operative. And as Paul contends that men are justified without the aid of works, so James will not allow any to be regarded as Justified who are destitute of good works. . . . Let them twist the words of James as they may, they will never extract out of them more than two propositions: That an empty phantom of faith does not justify, and that the believer, not contented with such an imagination, manifests his justification by good works. [Henry Beveridge, trans., John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 3:17:12 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966 reprint), 2: 115.] 'James is not at odds with Paul. "They are not antagonists facing each other with crossed swords; they stand back to back, confronting different foes of the gospel." [The New International Commentary on the New Testament] In 1:17-18, James affirmed that salvation is a gift bestowed according to the sovereign will of God. Now he is stressing the importance of faith's fruit--the righteous behavior that genuine faith always produces. Paul, too, saw righteous works as the necessary proof of faith. 'Those who imagine a discrepancy between James and Paul rarely observe that it was Paul who wrote, "Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!" (Rom. 6:15); and "Having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (v. 18). Thus Paul condemns the same error James is exposing here. Paul never advocated any concept of dormant faith. 'When Paul writes, "by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight," (Rom. 3:20), 'he is combatting a Jewish legalism which insisted upon the need for works to be justified; James insists upon the need for works in the lives of those who have been justified by faith. Paul insists that no man can ever win justification through his own efforts. . . . James demands that a man who already claims to stand in right relationship with God through faith must by a life of good works demonstrate that he has become a new creature in Christ. With this Paul thoroughly agreed. Paul was rooting out 'works' that excluded and destroyed saving faith; James was stimulating a sluggish faith that minimized the results of saving faith in daily life. [D. Edmond Hiebert, The Epistle of James (Chicago: Moody, 1979), 175.] 'James and Paul both echo Jesus' preaching. Paul's emphasis is an echo of Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." James's teaching has the ring of Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." Paul represents the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; James the end of it. Paul declares that we are saved by faith without the deeds of the law. James declares that we are saved by faith, which shows itself in works. Both James and Paul view good works as the proof of faith--not the path to salvation. 'James could not be more explicit. He is confronting the concept of a passive, false "faith," which is devoid of the fruits of salvation. He is not arguing for works in addition to or apart from faith. He is showing why and how, true, living faith always works. He is fighting against dead orthodoxy and its tendency to abuse grace. 'The error James assails is faith without works; justification without sanctification; salvation without new life. 'Again, James echoes the Master Himself, who insisted on a theology of lordship that involved obedience, not lip-service. Jesus chided the disobedient ones who had attached themselves to Him in name only: "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Verbal allegiance, He said, will get no one to heaven: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). 'That is in perfect harmony with James: "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (1:22); for "faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (2:17). [Excerpted from Faith Works] www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/james2.htm |
||||||
3874 | Does the Bible Contradict Itself? | James 2:26 | kalos | 151399 | ||
Does the Bible Contradict Itself? 'Are We Justified by Faith (Romans) or by Works (James)? 'In Romans it says, "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight . . . " (Rom. 3:20), and "for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law," (Rom. 3:28), and "For what does the Scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness'" (Rom. 4:3), and "Therefore, having been justified by faith . . . " (Rom. 5:1), and "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness" (Rom. 4:5). 'In James it says, "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone," (James 2:24) and " . . . so also faith without works is dead," (James 2:26). 'Which is it? Are we justified by faith or by works? 'Does the Bible Contradict Itself? 'It is a fundamental Christian belief that we are justified by faith. Justification means that God declares a sinner to be righteous. He does this by crediting, by reckoning the righteousness of Jesus to the sinner. This is done by faith. That is, when the sinner puts his faith in the sacrifice of Jesus and trusts in Him and not himself for righteousness, then God justifies him. "And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," (Rom. 4:3). But, if the Bible teaches that we are justified by faith, does it also teach we are justified by works as James seems to say? Do we have a contradiction? The answer is no. 'Context is Everything 'It is erroneous to take a verse, read it without its context, and then attempt to develop a doctrine from that verse alone. (...) 'What is James Saying? 'James is simply saying that if you ‘say' you are a Christian, then there had better be some appropriate works manifested or your faith is false. This sentiment is echoed in 1 John 2:4 which says, "If you say you have come to know Him, yet you do not keep His commandments, then the truth is not in you and you are a liar." 'Apparently, there were people who were saying they were Christians, but were not manifesting any of the fruit of Christianity. Can this faith justify? Can the dead ‘faith' that someone has which produces no change in a person and no good works before men and God be a faith that justifies? Absolutely not. It is not merely enough to say you believe in Jesus. You must actually believe and trust in Him. If you actually do, then you will demonstrate that faith by a changed and godly life. If not, then your profession is of no more value than the same profession of demons: "We believe Jesus lived." 'Notice that James actually quotes the same verse that Paul uses to support the teaching of justification by faith in Rom. 4:3. James 2:23 says, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example. 'Therefore, we are justified by faith. That is, we are made righteous in the eyes of God by faith as is amply demonstrated by Romans. However, that faith, if it is true, will result in deeds appropriate to salvation. After all, didn't God say in Eph. 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ____________________ To read more go to: www.carm.org/questions/faithorworks.htm |
||||||
3875 | Works result, not cause, of salvation | James 2:26 | kalos | 151401 | ||
Verses showing justification by faith. 'Justification is the legal act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his or her sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he is "declared" sinless. This declaration of righteousness is being justified before God. This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "...having now been justified by His blood..." (Rom. 5:9) where Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor. 15:1-4). God imputes (reckons to our account) the righteousness of Christ. At the same time our sins were imputed to Christ when he was on the cross. That is why it says in 1 Pet. 2:24, "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Also, 2 Cor. 5:21 says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Additionally, we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) apart from works of the Law (Rom. 3:28). 'To be saved means that God has delivered us (saved us) from His righteous wrathful judgment due us because of our sins against Him. It means that we will not be judged for our sins and be sentenced to eternal damnation. To be saved means that we are justified before God. Only Christians are saved. Only Christians are justified. The issue at hand is whether or not this salvation, this justification, is attained by faith or by faith and something else. [To read a list of verses that show that salvation/justification is by faith go to: www.carm.org/doctrine/justification_verses.htm] (...) 'James 2:24, not by faith alone 'The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us. However, we cannot stop here without addressing what James says in James 2:24, "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." 'There is no contradiction. All you need to do is look at the context. James chapter 2 has 26 verses: Verses 1-7 instruct us to not show favoritism. Verses 8-13 are comments on the Law. Verses 14-26 are about the relationship between faith and works. 'James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith but has no works, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). In other words, James is addressing the issue of a dead faith, that is nothing more than a verbal pronouncement. It is empty of life and action. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17, words without actions). Then he shows that that type of faith isn't much different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith that is words followed by actions. He writes of Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds. 'In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). 'Also, notice that James actually quotes the same verse that Paul uses to support the teaching of justification by faith in Rom. 4:3. James 2:23 says, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example. 'Conclusion 'Justification is by faith. True faith results in regeneration of the sinner which, in turn, results in good works. But it is not these works that earn our place with God nor keep it. Jesus accomplished that on the cross. All that we need, we have in Jesus. All we need to do to be saved, to be justified, is to truly believe in what God has done for us in Jesus on the cross. This true belief with justification before God and regeneration in the new believer, results in good works.' ____________________ www.carm.org/doctrine/justification_verses.htm |
||||||
3876 | Verses Showing Justification By Faith | James 2:26 | kalos | 151402 | ||
Verses Showing Justification By Faith Following is a list of verses that show that salvation/justification is by faith. Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one." Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness," Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." Gal. 2:21, “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Eph. 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Phil. 3:9, "and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith." 1 Tim. 1:16, "And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." ____________________ To read more verses that show that salvation/justification is by faith go to: www.carm.org/doctrine/justification_verses.htm |
||||||
3877 | Faith and Works: Paul vs. James | James 2:26 | kalos | 151404 | ||
Faith and Works: Paul vs. James 'There is a way to reconcile what Paul and James say. The key to reconciling them is that the word "justified" has more than one meaning. Paul uses it with one meaning in Romans 4 and James uses it with a different meaning in James 2. It is not uncommon that a word has more than one meaning. In fact, it is common that any given word would have a multitude of meanings. Look in a dictionary and you can see that almost every word has more than one meaning, almost without exception. It is the context that dictates what meaning is in view. (...) 'There is a difference between when God justifies a man and when a man justifies himself. When I say to you, "Justify yourself," what am I asking you to do? I' m asking you to justify your actions, prove to me something about the nature of your actions. You are being asked to show me something. 'When God justifies a man, He doesn't show them something. He gives them something; He gives them righteousness. 'So justification has two meanings. God justifies the ungodly. What does that mean? He gives them righteousness. He applies it to their account. He "reckons them righteous" is how Paul puts it. So one meaning of the word justify is to GIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS. The second meaning of the word justify is to PROVE TO BE RIGHTEOUS. It has to do with a demonstration, just like when I tell you to justify yourself. 'How do I know that there are two different meanings that are in view? Both Paul and James quote Abraham, but they quote different periods of his life. Paul in Romans 4 quotes Genesis 15:4 and that passage says that "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Another way of putting it is that's when Abraham got saved. Abraham gets saved in Genesis 15. 'Later on in his life, long after this event, we see God testing Abraham in Genesis 22. Take Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice on the altar. When he obeys God and does what he is told to do, God stops him in the middle of it and says, You don't have to do this anymore, I have provided a substitute. God makes a very important statement. In verse 12 of Genesis 22 He says, "Now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me." By the way, the word "know" in the Old Testament communicates a sense of a deep, personal experience, not just intellectual knowledge. When James quotes Abraham's justification, he doesn't quote from Genesis 15 when Abraham was reckoned righteous--He quotes from Genesis 22 when Abraham demonstrated his righteousness, proved himself to be righteous. 'Further, what' s interesting is that not only does he quote Genesis 22, but he sees Genesis 22 as an outworking or a fulfillment of his salvation in Genesis 15. In fact, James quotes the passage. He paraphrases, "Was not Abraham our father justified, proven to be righteous by his works, when he offered up Isaac his son at the altar? You see that faith was working with his works and as a result of the works, faith was perfected and the Scripture was fulfilled, which says Abraham believed God and was reckoned to him as righteousness." 'Abraham obeyed God's command.' (Faith and Works: Paul vs. James by Gregory Koukl) (www.str.org/free/commentaries/theology/works.htm) |
||||||
3878 | By faith alone or by faith plus works? | James 2:26 | kalos | 151406 | ||
By faith alone or by faith plus works? 'Question: "Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?" 'Answer: This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology. This question is the cause of the Reformation - the split between the Protestant church and Catholic church. This question is a key difference between Biblical Christianity and most of the "Christian" cults. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Am I saved just by believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things? 'The question of faith alone or faith plus works is made difficult by some hard to reconcile Bible passages. Compare Romans 3:28, 5:1 and Galatians 3:24 with James 2:24. Some see a difference between Paul (salvation is by faith alone) and James (salvation is by faith plus works). In reality, Paul and James did not disagree at all. The only point of disagreement some people claim is over the relationship between faith and works. Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life – then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26). 'Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their life is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)! James and Paul do not disagree on their teaching on salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that faith in Christ produces good works.' ____________________ www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html |
||||||
3879 | Do we have to sin? | James 3:2 | kalos | 107654 | ||
"I personally live many days a week without sin...." Incredible*. Literally incredible. ____________________ *incredible. too extraordinary and improbable to be believed; also : hard to believe |
||||||
3880 | Do we have to sin? | James 3:2 | kalos | 107655 | ||
Baldvin writes: "I personally live many days a week without sin . . . and i am not aware of evil in my life . . . I personally capture the wrong thougt when it comes to my mind..." Likewise the man in Luke 18 says: "I am not like other men... I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get" Luke 18:10-14 (ESV) "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 ] Next > Last [212] >> |