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NASB | James 2:14 ¶ What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:14 ¶ What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient--genuine faith produces good works.] |
Subject: Is salvation by faith only scriptural? |
Bible Note: Actually, Eph 2:8 tells us that "grace" is the gift of God. There was nothing the Gentiles could do to make God send His son as a sacrifice for sin. By faith they obtained access to this gift, but again, faith is more than belief. Eph 2:10 tells us we were created by God for good works, in accordance with God's will, BUT we must still walk in them (i.e. we must make the effort--it isn't given to us on a silver platter.) This should not be surprising as the righteous men of old were required to do nothing less. Why would God expect less from us today? As I wrote previously: -Faith is the unquestioning belief that underlies a person’s response to a duty or obligation. Each of the many examples of Hebrews demonstrate how God’s people of the Old Covenant proved their trust in God. -“the men of old gained approval” through their righteous actions: -Abel offered a better sacrifice v. 4 -Enoch walked with God, because God found him “pleasing” (v. 5) -Noah built the ark (v. 7) Also consider that if "faith" were the only requirement for salvation, why would God bother? How rewarding would it be for Him to create beings who had no choice in following Him to eternal life in paradise? No, He requires effort, determination and strict obedience as sons. Read James 2:14-26 and see if this truth doesn't make more sense than you have understood previously. |