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NASB | Matthew 6:12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:12 'And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. |
Bible Question (short): Does true faith produce fruit or works? |
Question (full): 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 |