Subject: Unforgivable sin |
Bible Note: I appreciate your humor Tim. I am in no way saying that wisdom and information is dangerous, but the way it is used. As a response to your post, I would ask is there a passage where Paul explicity says, "saved by grace through faith alone"? Ephesians 2.8, says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;". This passage does not include the word "alone". If there is such a passage I would like to know what it is. Also, how do you explain the discussion by James on works and faith being inseparable ? James 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. It would seem that your position that says Paul taught salvation is "by grace you have been saved through faith (alone)" is contrary to James saying, "a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." In the Ephesian passage, the word "alone" is not found, in the James passage, it is. |