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NASB | James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. |
Subject: Joe, I agree with you here. |
Bible Note: You wrote: "Joe, some people do not live long enough after conversion to manifest any good works. Granted, this is rare, but it is none the less true." Acknowledged. But as you said, the "thief on the cross" type of situation is rare. God knows what He has or has not accomplished in the heart; but for those of us who are not converted on our deathbeds, over time God will bring about God-honoring works as evidence to ourselves and men that we are truly saved. I can tell you precisely when I was saved, not simply because I prayed some prayer, but because that was the moment that God changed my disposition toward Him completely. I was only 11 or so, but despite my sinning, since that point my life generally has been characterized by a propensity to desire to do the things of God. You wrote: "What God requires of us, He Himself supplies." What a very Reformed thing to say! Augustine said very much the same thing regarding our works: "Father, require what You will, but grant what You require." This statement you made not only applies to our justification, but also to our Christian walk. You wrote: "I delight in Christ. I will boast in what He has done not the Law." Boasting in our compliance with what God wants from us is different from delighting in God's moral will as good. David was indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and he knew of the coming Christ. Yet we still have Psalm 119. Therefore, I too boast in my Savior's accomplishments and at the same time delight in God's good and perfect moral law. --Joe! |