I'm assuming that is the verse regarding works. But James is referring to works done as a result of faith, not as a guilty obligation or requirement to ensure their faith is actually going to provide salvation. The sum total of the New Testament can't be any clearer on the fact that salvation comes from faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, so that nobody can claim that they "earned" salvation; it is a gift of God.
"As a body without spirit is dead, so to is faith without works dead" or something to that effect.
The notion that works of faith would "earn" anything is a new one to me as I always assumed the two worked hand in hand - true faith influences every aspect of life resulting in works of faith.
Though it seems I misinterpreted the nature of your original comment as "faith does not require works."
Yes, it is salvation that does not require works, but as James said, if you have been saved, your salvation will be apparent by your works. What works a Christian should do is the hard thing to know.
Your spirit if made new in Christ bears the fruits(works) of such. Think of all the parables that Christ used in things that bear fruit and those that don’t. You will know the tree by its fruits … etc.
This scripture isn’t telling us anything anymore profound than what Christ has already stated. No idea why some Christians get so upset over this one line of scripture when in fact most that have accepted Christ and rejected the flesh already exhibit the merits of this scripture.
I'm assuming that is the verse regarding works. But James is referring to works done as a result of faith, not as a guilty obligation or requirement to ensure their faith is actually going to provide salvation. The sum total of the New Testament can't be any clearer on the fact that salvation comes from faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, so that nobody can claim that they "earned" salvation; it is a gift of God.
"As a body without spirit is dead, so to is faith without works dead" or something to that effect.
The notion that works of faith would "earn" anything is a new one to me as I always assumed the two worked hand in hand - true faith influences every aspect of life resulting in works of faith.
Though it seems I misinterpreted the nature of your original comment as "faith does not require works."
Yes, it is salvation that does not require works, but as James said, if you have been saved, your salvation will be apparent by your works. What works a Christian should do is the hard thing to know.
Your spirit if made new in Christ bears the fruits(works) of such. Think of all the parables that Christ used in things that bear fruit and those that don’t. You will know the tree by its fruits … etc.
This scripture isn’t telling us anything anymore profound than what Christ has already stated. No idea why some Christians get so upset over this one line of scripture when in fact most that have accepted Christ and rejected the flesh already exhibit the merits of this scripture.
Ie feeding the poor …
A person can be saved on their deathbed by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer. That's all it takes.
As you say, works of faith are not required. I highly recommend to all to not push that scenario though :).
Works of faith are just that...you do these things because of your faith, not to gain credibility.
You do those things because you love your Creator and you wish to fulfill the purpose you were created for.
Also, you don't brag about the good things you're doing if you want your reward to come from the Father rather than your fellow man.
True this. That's why its "works of faith" and not works for faith.