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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Does true faith produce fruit or works? | Matt 6:12 | Rowdy | 123099 | ||
I've submitted posts in the past porporting the idea that once we become christians our God does expect to see us produce fruit from our lives as proof that we really do have faith in our Lord as cited in James 2. I thought I'd provide a little more documentation from my Bible Commentary citing a little more support. Quote from Bible Commentary (Ja 2:14-17) 14. If one regards the author's purpose, the discussion will be less difficult to interpret. Many misunderstand this verse because they fail to observe two significant facts. First, James does not state that the hypothetical person "has" faith, but merely a man say he has faith. It distinguishes the one "possesses" from the one merely "professes." Secondly, conclusions are based on the question, can faith save him? The Authorized Version unfortunately gives a wrong impression, for he is not asking about faith in general, but that type of faith which one has who makes claims without producing fruit. This is affirmed by the presence of the definite article in Greek meaning "the faith." "Can that faith save him?" would be a proper translation. Which faith? That which the man claims to have. That being the case, James does not contradict Paul. Both affirm that true saving faith results in a changed life as evidenced by workds. 15-16.When Christians say empty platitudes without actually helping those in physical need, what does it profit? How many words fill a hungry stomach? 17. As the worthlessness of well-wishers reveal their selfishness, so barrenness in a professing believer's life exposes his insincerity. Significantly, the Greektext states with the article, that "the faith...is dead, being alone. James refers specifically to the faith which is claimed, not the genuine brand. End of quote. I think the quote says it all. True abiding faith in God the Father will simply produce fruit. But we as loving christians imitating God in His love, we do need to be patient and willing to show some forgiveness to our brethren and sisters in the Lord. God bless. --Rowdy |
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2 | Does true faith produce fruit or works? | Matt 6:12 | JCrichton | 123100 | ||
"we do need to be patient and willing to show some forgiveness to our brethren and sisters in the Lord." Hi, Rowdy! You are so correct! It seems that many times we divorse ourselves from the vine... we get so caught up in righteousness or some latent ego trip that we forget the first Sacrifice our Lord made for us: He humbled Himself to become as one of us in order to serve us and bring us Salvation. When Jesus taught the disciples how we are to pray He included every single thing that would make a prayer perfect; including the clause: "as we forgive." And He insists that our relationship with God must surge from our relationship with our fellow Christians: May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. (John 17:21) Basically He has commanded us to have a symbiotic relationship with our brothers and sisters as proof of our relationship in Him and in the Father! John puts it this way: Anyone who says 'I love God' and hates his brother, is a liar, since whoever does not love the brother whom he can see cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20-21) Some of us may respond to John's warning with contempt, thinking in our hearts that this warning does not apply because "we have no hate in our hearts..." but Jesus' perspective is somewhat different; not only is He concerned with the Eleven but He extends His obligations and responsibilities to them: When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' (John 21:15; also 21:16, 17) And, in Matthew 5, Jesus clarified the inclusiveness of our relationship with one another as it pertains to being Children of God: But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother "Fool" will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him "Traitor" will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. (Matthew 5:22-24) Paul demonstrates this concern as he speaks to the Galatians expounding both our codependence and self-suficiency in Christ: Brothers, even if one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way. Carry each other's burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ. Someone who thinks himself important, when he is not, only deceives himself; but everyone is to examine his own achievements, and then he will confine his boasting to his own achievements, not comparing them with anybody else's. (Galatians 6:1-4) It all boils down to this: for faithful love is what pleases me, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) God Bless! Angel |
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3 | Does true faith produce fruit or works? | Matt 6:12 | Rowdy | 123106 | ||
Thanks for the statement as it represents a good list (although not all inclusive) of some of the things our Father in Heaven expects to see in our lives as His children IF we truly are His children. Thanks for the assist and God bless. --Rowdy |
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