Well said
(media.greatawakening.win)
You're viewing a single comment thread. View all comments, or full comment thread.
Comments (40)
sorted by:
I would put emphasis on Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. That is all anyone needs to start their journey. Most of the rest of the Book is optional and can be studied at one's own discretion.
In the end, Jesus judges our hearts, individually. And Mathew 25 seems to support Peter's interpretation that faith without works is dead...
Faith without works is dead because works are a manifestation of faith and love. Not as duty or for salvation. For we are saved by faith in Jesus alone. The law is like a lion that paces and lays in wait to devour anyone in its path and is never satisfied as it will surely always grow hungry again. Until Jesus that is. He fulfilled the law. Meaning His perfect sacrifice satisfies the laws appetite. The law has no more power. Do we ignore the law? Certainly not for it is our desire to be obedient so we abide out of love. However, the law is perfect and we are not so we need Jesus to fulfill the law for us. Paul makes this clear. Romans chapter 7, Galatians Chapters 3 & 4. Jesus intercedes on our behalf at judgement. The Father will see Jesus in us not our sin. Jesus is our savior. It is his sacrifice and our faith in its power that saves us. Stop feeling guilt. Stop feeling unworthy for Jesus has saved us. We are sealed in the Holy Spirit and cannot be removed from His grasp. God bless and share the good news of salvation through faith in Christ.
What are the works? Works without faith is dead. Show me your works and I will show you my faith. Faith alone in Christ alone. None of the Bible is optional.
What does faith without works being dead mean?
That's nowhere near as unequivocal a statement as something like Romans 10:9 or Ephesians 2:8-9
read james ch 2:13-17. james isn't talking about washing away sin (salvation). the word in v14 for saved is greek "sozo". it means, "healed, delivered, protected, preserved, made whole, kept safe and sound". verse 15-16 clarifies, james is referring to physical destitution, infirmity, poverty. specifically calling out believers for not engaging the poor and the destitute - by faith - and changing the poverty stricken people. you first believe what God says, then faith comes and compels you to act on what you believe. Faith comes before works. You believe, build faith (get saved earlier by being born again) then the holy spirit works in you to do things. The things you do are often works as seen in v15. James is calling out those who sit on their butt, he's wondering what's wrong with them, faith doesnt seem to be driving them forward. The kingdom of God is attained by those who are born again (jn 3:3). Rom10:9 is initiation, Believe jesus was raised from the dead for the purpose stated in Rom 6:7, but do Rom 6:4-6. I can't tell you what a train wreck the sinners prayer is (based solely on Rom 10:9) 90% who do that shortly walk away. They say the phrase.. feel good for awhile, fall back into sin, get discouraged and walk away. Sin wasn't dealt with and... no works due to their growing faith. reconcile these verses together. many denominations mess them up and don't achieve the best outcomes.
Thank you for the detailed response.
I fully agree that works are important, and don't like the "sin doesn't matter since you're saved!" junk. It's lukewarm and doesn't really show any connection to God outside of a stated belief. But I do believe salvation is through faith alone.
Your explanation is pretty much my understanding of it.