Can you have faith without works?

[IslandRose]

I've noticed a spelling mistake in the title, it should read, "Can you have faith without works?" 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fixed it!

IR

[Anne]

Thanks Island Rose, for fixing my typing error.

I'm so glad this study has been of help to everyone.

Everyday that I have problems, things to overcome, I find the answers right here in the Holy Bible, this is an awesome Book, has anyone noticed that.

So many things, have I learned in the pages I have read thus far!

I had an incident today at work, which resulted in someone swearing at me, I paused for a moment and said very calm, "You know Lynn, I got saved three weeks ago, please do not swear at me."

I don't know why I told them I had gotten saved, it just came out at a time I least expected it.

When you're washed in the Blood of the Lamb, Your heart just wants to tell of the joy you have received!

Brother's/Sisters, it's a good time to be a Christian,

God Bless you all

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne

[tsth]

Oh Anne, your testimony of the Spirit's work, truly brings tears to my eyes, and gives me such encouragement and hope. PLEASE! Keep posting, you are helping to keep me encouraged and enduring!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[ted]

Amen, and SING IT!

t.

[Guest GideonEvangelisticMinistries]

Study of the Epistle of James

Chapter 2

My question is this, can you have faith without works?

Edited December 1, 2004 by GideonEvangelisticMinistries

[Khristeeanos]

Can such faith save him?

Surely we understand that salvation is at stake here.

It is never the works that justify, it is the faith.

God just defines faith as action, that is all.

[Repent1]

Can such faith save him?

Surely we understand that salvation is at stake here.

It is never the works that justify, it is the faith.

God just defines faith as action, that is all. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings Dime,

God bless

I've learned that Faith is defined as ("Trust in Christ"/ "Confidence in the testimony of God"), which is Christ.

I would say that "Action" is the fruit of Faith (trust/confidence in the testimony of God).

Without actions, trust (faith) is dead (unproductive), being alone (without equal).

Food for thought

Walking (operating) with you in the spirit of peace, love and prayer

Your brethren in Christ,

Repent1....

[Anne]

Greetings to all in Christ Jesus' name,

In reply to DIME, you are absolutely correct, Salvation is at stake here, and indeed it is not works that jusifies, nor is it faith that justifies.

It is both, for you cannot have one without the other, if Christ Jesus lives in your heart and you have faith in him, then that faith will produce the works, whether that be from simple confession to others of your Salvation, or washing pots and pans at the local AA and witnessing to them as the Spirit moves you or whether you become a great evangelist for Christ Jesus, your faith in Christ Jesus will inspire you to tell others in simple or great ways of the Salvation you have received. Someone who has received Christ Jesus as their Saviour will not, and cannot be silent, because just as you said Salvation is at stake here.

I have three more sections of study on this subject, here is the next one;-

A study of the Epistle of James

You believe! Well done, so do the devils!

Chapter 2

Verse 19

Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Verse 20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.

If you are content with bare assent to articles of faith, and mere speculations upon them, well done, you are on the same path as satan and his devils, for they too believe! And as their faith and knowledge only serve to excite horror, so likewise will your faith and knowledge.

They tremble, not out of reverence, but of hatred and opposition to God the Father in whose existence they believe. They tremble at the thoughts of his omnipotent power and righteous vengeance, yet continue to hate his perfections, government, cause, and service.

There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent, not only an assent to the truth of the Word, but a consent to take Christ as your saviour. There must be an act that is directly and formally conversant about the person of Christ. We must not mistake some general acknowledgement of the articles of religion for faith. True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart, Acts 8 v 37.

He who boasts of faith without works, is to be looked upon at present as a foolish condemned person, ver 20. Vain man, denotes just detestation of such men as are empty of good works, yet boasters of their faith. It plainly declares them fools in the sight of God. Faith without works is dead, not only as void of all operations which are proofs of spiritual life, but as unavailable to eternal life; such nominal believers as rest in a bare profession of faith, are dead while they live.

Here is how we shall recognise someone who is not of Christ Jesus, although they profess him with their mouth, their actions will dictate that they are not of him.

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne

[IreneM]

I suppose I have faith without Works per say

I am handcapped I can't go witnessing all my friends that I have know I am a chrhistian and my family is all saved

I am pretty much home bound and other then my husband see very few people any more . So I have no works but my Faith is very real.

In Christ

IreneM

[apothanein kerdos]

James is speaking to those who have an intellectual claim to Christ yet have never had a heart change. He is not saying that we must work to secure our faith or that faith is an action. In fact, he even differentiates between the two and makes it very clear that faith and works are two seperate items. Instead, he is advocating that those who have an intellectual beleif in Christ but do not have the works that would flow from a life changed by Christ are acting in a dead faith. What this means is that it is a useless faith, one that does not save. In fact, faith and belief can be used interchangably within this passage. He is not suggesting that works are necessary to have faith or that they solidify faith. He is simply showing that works are a natural result of true faith in Christ. Thus, the question shouldn't be, "Can you have faith without works", but instead should be "Is a faith that doesn't bring forth works a valid faith?" Obviously (and Irene brings up an excellent point), some of us are unable to do the works of God. Does this mean their faith is dead? Of course not. So faith must have some alternative meaning. The idea of faith being an action or a work is almost absurd if you look at the very basic idea behind faith. In order to have faith you must believe and accept in Grace. Yet Grace is something which we get though we do not deserve. It is an unwarranted favor in which we do not do anything to get something suberb. Thus if we must work to maintain faith, or if faith is an action, then grace really isn't grace but simply a bargain. If you perform this action than you will recieve grace. This is not how God opperates. Faith stems from a belief in grace and that is all. It is by grace that Christ renews us into a new being that, out of love for God and what He has done, performs works. Thus, works are simply an overflow or the result of faith.