Paul, James and Sotereology

[Quantrill]

Hi Quantrill,

You ask what we're looking for when reading scripture....we're speaking of the N.T.

You considered it and ask if we're looking for faith plus works or faith plus nothing.
Or, are we looking for grace.

When we first read the N.T. we're not supposed to be looking for anything except what
God wants us to know.

If someone knows about faith plus works, then they have already been influenced as to what to believe.

Persons that read the bible and are not influenced come away with these concepts:
We all sin
God does not like sin
God can forgive us
He expects something in return...our obedience

If you want to call that faith plus works,,,that's fine with me.
Jesus did His part...
now we must do ours...
our part is to be obedient to all that He taught.

1 John 5:3 NLT
3Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

Well, I am speaking of the Old and New Testament. The Scriptures.

Thus when we read the Bible we should be looking only at what God wants us to know.

But, understand, the sinner looks for grace. He doesn't try and look for a way to make his works rise above his sins. No matter what your works, they never remove your sins. Do they?

Expects something in return? Oh sister. And would you deceive yourself that you have provided what God expects in return. That's not grace. Is that your relationship to Christ? Quid pro quo? Christ will help you but He expects this in return?

Let me know when you fulfill your end of the deal.

In other words, you are fine with faith plus works. But then this begs the question. How many of your sins were paid for when Christ paid for your sins?

Quantrill

 

[GodsGrace]

Well, I am speaking of the Old and New Testament. The Scriptures.

Thus when we read the Bible we should be looking only at what God wants us to know.

OK Q,,,,but I was referring to the N.T. in my reply...no problem.

But, understand, the sinner looks for grace. He doesn't try and look for a way to make his works rise above his sins. No matter what your works, they never remove your sins. Do they?

You don't seem to understand what I'm saying....
Someone reading the bible for the first time does not now about
GRACE
WORKS
WHAT BEING A SINNER AND WHAT IT IMPLIES
WORKS REMOVING SINS

This is all something we've learned through theology....the study of God.

Expects something in return? Oh sister. And would you deceive yourself that you have provided what God expects in return. That's not grace. Is that your relationship to Christ? Quid pro quo? Christ will help you but He expects this in return?

You believe God expects nothing from you?

John 3:36 NLT
36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

John 5:28-29
28Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son,
29and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

James 4.17
17Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Hebrews 10:24
24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

John 14:21
21Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them....


And so many more....
I'm amazed that you believe you have nothing to do for God when He expects you to DO.

Let me know when you fulfill your end of the deal.

In other words, you are fine with faith plus works. But then this begs the question. How many of your sins were paid for when Christ paid for your sins?

Answer: All of them.
Christ paid for all of my sins.

 

[Quantrill]

OK Q,,,,but I was referring to the N.T. in my reply...no problem.



You don't seem to understand what I'm saying....
Someone reading the bible for the first time does not now about
GRACE
WORKS
WHAT BEING A SINNER AND WHAT IT IMPLIES
WORKS REMOVING SINS

This is all something we've learned through theology....the study of God.



You believe God expects nothing from you?

John 3:36 NLT
36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

John 5:28-29
28Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son,
29and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

James 4.17
17Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Hebrews 10:24
24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

John 14:21
21Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them....


And so many more....
I'm amazed that you believe you have nothing to do for God when He expects you to DO.


Answer: All of them.
Christ paid for all of my sins.

I didn't say I have nothing to do for God. But whatever I do, is in no way a quid pro quo. Whatever I do or don't do in no way affects what Christ has already done. Correct? In other words, my tremendous works, or tremendous failures, doesn't affect what Christ has done for me, and has given to me, by my faith in Him. Correct? Or does it?

Exactly right. Christ paid for all your sins. And when did He do this? Long before you were born. And how did you enter into this place where all your sins had been paid for? By your works....or, by your faith? Did Christ make a deal with you then? " I will do this for you, but you must do this for Me".

Sounds terrible doesn't it? Unless of course you believe you measure up. But then it is no longer of grace. You deserve it. Christ will scratch your back if you scratch His.

Quantrill

 

[JLB]

Exactly right. Christ paid for all your sins.

If you confess your sins, then He is faithful fo forgive you.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9



JLB

 

[Hopeful]

Ah, ah! I had never heard of that phrase but it sums up how I feel! The funniest part is that this cheap grace can even be given to babies who have no idea what is going on, as if a few drops of holy water could save anyone.

Fine by me.

You are overlooking two crucial points:
1- even if you want to obey God, it isn't that easy. Can anyone on this forum tell me they have never sinned, not even once, since their conversion?

I can say I have not sinned since my conversion.

Does anyone on this forum have absolute certainty they will never sin again, not even in their heart? As far as I'm concerned, I'm not even sure trying to convince you isn't arrogant hence a sin in itself.

If 1 John 3:9-10 is true, I can make that claim.
It is true, BTW.

2- One may argue that Paul agrees with James on salvation but I'm still saying faith, even if supported by obedience, isn't enough since John the Baptist refused baptizing Pharisees and Sadducees unless they would produce fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-9; Luke 3:7-8) which clearly means that, according to John the Baptist, believing and repenting is not enough and even not ever sinning any more wouldn't be enough: one also has to make it up for the sins they committed before they converted.

Of course we are to make amends with those we have sinned against, as that is the natural result of our new divine nature.
Believing and turning permanently from sin manifests we love God above all else and we love our neighbor as ourselves.
There are no more requirements.
You are looking for barriers to holy living that are not there.

Now, to illustrate Matthew 3:7-9 and Luke 3:7-8, I'd like to ask all readers of this post a very pragmatic question: would you allow a convicted pedophile to babysit your children provided they sincerely repented? Tell me! What would become of your beautiful principles if they weren't mere ideas to share on a forum but real actions to take in real life?

Why pose supposed problems?
Again you look for barriers to Christian living.
God protects His parents and their children.
If they need a baby-sitter, another holy person will step up.
If one doesn't, or can't, the parents stay home.

 

[Quantrill]

If you confess your sins, then He is faithful fo forgive you.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9



JLB

You're confusing two separate acts of Christ and two separate places of the believer.

The payment for sin is not the forgiveness of sin. The payment was made before we were believers. The forgiveness comes after we are believers. The 'if' you want to highlight pertains to our walk, not our being declared righteous by faith in Christ.

Christ our Sacrifice. Christ our Advocate.

So, answer this question. How many of your sins did Christ pay for? When you were born-again, how many sins were paid for?

Quantrill

 

[JLB]

The payment was made before we were believers.

Yes the payment was made before the foundation of the world.

 

[JLB]

The 'if' you want to highlight pertains to our walk, not our being declared righteous by faith in Christ.

No sir.

People who sin are not righteous.

People who practice righteousness are righteous.

People who practice sin, are not righteous.


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7


John, by the Spirit warned us about people trying to say otherwise.


Christians who practice the works of the flesh, sin, will not the inherit the kingdom of God.


Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

• which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

You do understand that “not inheriting the kingdom of God” = being cast into hell with the devil and his angels, right?





JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

I didn't say I have nothing to do for God. But whatever I do, is in no way a quid pro quo. Whatever I do or don't do in no way affects what Christ has already done. Correct? In other words, my tremendous works, or tremendous failures, doesn't affect what Christ has done for me, and has given to me, by my faith in Him. Correct? Or does it?

I never used the term quid pro quo.
I don't make deals with God.

Many say that Jesus has done it all and so they have nothing to DO.
I do not agree with this statement.
I believe we have much to do for the Kingdom of God here on earth, which is what Jesus spoke of more than anything else.....
how to be a member of the Kingdom of God.

I'm still not sure what you mean because you mention failures.
It's not possible to know God and not do good deeds....
Are you saying that it is?

Exactly right. Christ paid for all your sins. And when did He do this? Long before you were born. And how did you enter into this place where all your sins had been paid for? By your works....or, by your faith? Did Christ make a deal with you then? " I will do this for you, but you must do this for Me".

It is by faith that we're saved.
After salvation, God does expect us to do good deeds.

Sounds terrible doesn't it? Unless of course you believe you measure up. But then it is no longer of grace. You deserve it. Christ will scratch your back if you scratch His.

Quantrill

That's a silly comment to which I won't reply.
Everything God does He does because of grace.
We deserve nothing.

 

[Quantrill]

No sir.

People who sin are not righteous.

People who practice righteousness are righteous.

People who practice sin, are not righteous.


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7


John, by the Spirit warned us about people trying to say otherwise.


Christians who practice the works of the flesh, sin, will not the inherit the kingdom of God.


Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

• which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

You do understand that “not inheriting the kingdom of God” = being cast into hell with the devil and his angels, right?





JLB

I asked two questions. Please answer them.

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

I never used the term quid pro quo.
I don't make deals with God.

Many say that Jesus has done it all and so they have nothing to DO.
I do not agree with this statement.
I believe we have much to do for the Kingdom of God here on earth, which is what Jesus spoke of more than anything else.....
how to be a member of the Kingdom of God.

I'm still not sure what you mean because you mention failures.
It's not possible to know God and not do good deeds....
Are you saying that it is?



It is by faith that we're saved.
After salvation, God does expect us to do good deeds.



That's a silly comment to which I won't reply.
Everything God does He does because of grace.
We deserve nothing.

No, I asked 'you' a question. Does my good works or my failures affect what Christ has declared and imputed to me by faith?

Of course after we are saved we can do good works. But, again, do those works add to what Christ has declared and imputed to me by faith? Does my good or bad deeds affect the finished work of Christ? Does it add to or take away?

Well, actually, we deserve hell. That is what we deserve. But, we don't get hell, because of God, and Christ's work of salvation on our behalf.

Quantrill

 

[for_his_glory]

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.


James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

I believe Paul is saying we are justified by faith alone through faith that is Christ Jesus and through Him the remission of our sins as it is by faith alone, not by the law as the law had no saving provision.

James is pretty much saying the same thing, but also adding that faith also needs to bring with it works of obedience, not of the law, but of the continued works of Christ like that of Matthew 25:31-40.

Faith alone apart from the law justifies us through the blood of Christ, but if we do not exercise our faith through obedience to God it becomes weak and possibly fades can fade away as faith is not guided and built upon.

 

[for_his_glory]

Walpole,
Every link you posted is Calvinistic !
Except for desiringgod which I'm not familiar with.

I have a little problem discussing this with my Catholic friends because the CC doesn't make a clear-cut distinction
between justification and sanctification.

In this regard, I like the Protestant understanding of it better because it's clearly delineated.

Justification is by faith alone and is an act of God which is brought about by the faith acquired by a person.
Faith...belief in God.

Sanctification is a life-long undertaking to live by God's commands, being a disciple of Jesus, and living to please God, to the best of our ability. I mean that the CC just lumps the two together....

Of course sanctification begins immediately after justification and I think this is what separates the Catholic teaching from that of the Protestant teaching.

Other than that, my understanding is that we really agree with each other.

(notwithstanding the "agreement" made with the Lutheran church in 1999).
(in which, due to the footnote, nothing really changed).

the website desiringgod is Calvinistic also. Just thought I would let you know.

 

[Butch5]

I think Martin Luther wrote in his translation of a German Bible that we are saved by faith ALONE - and I think he spoke out of school when he did that.

One poster on another board went ballistic at me for suggesting Paul and James were at odds with each other about things, but frankly - they were.

At Antioch, Paul and Barnabus and Peter had been eating with Gentiles - until CERTAIN FROM JAMES arrived - then Peter drew back from it - causing Paul to oppose him to his face.

James made the stipulation about eating things sacrificed to idols in Acts 15 - Paul later wrote in an epistle to eat "whatever is sold in the shambles".

Look at the beginning of James' biblical book -
Jas 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

I'm a Gentile - is James' letter even to me? Of course it is Scripture and must be to me - but James is an unusual character in the Bible - seemingly a half-brother of Jesus - he was not a follower of Jesus at first, and once went to try to talk sense into Jesus, thinking He had a screw loose. Then later James is a Pillar - one of the Top Dogs in the Jerusalem Church.

But later on, James is still NOT WITH THE PROGRAM about eating with Gentiles at Antioch - and seems to be somewhat of a Judaizer about things - and Paul had trouble with Judaizers at various times.

People do have a point that Paul and James didn't see eye to eye - no two ways about it.

Context. I don't think many consider the context closely enough. Paul and James weren't at odds. They were simply dealing with different issues. James dealt primarily with Jews who kept the Law and Paul primarily with Gentiles who didn't.

Regarding Paul, Barnabas, and Peter eating with Gentiles, I think Peter gets a bad rap. According to the historian and Christian Eusebius, it wasn't the apostle Peter, It was the other Cephas. There were two called Cephas, one, the apostle, was changed to Peter. It makes sense that it was other Cephas as the Apostle had gone into the house of Cornelius and was shown that God had accepted the Gentiles before this incident.

James wasn't a Judaizer, He sent a letter with Paul and others against Judaizers.

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (Acts 15:23-29 KJV)

Regarding the food to idols, I think there is contextual issue here. We don't know what was in the letter that the Corinthians wrote to Paul. He's addressing their letter. Not only James But Jesus also spoke about food sacrificed to idols.

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.(Rev. 2:12-14 KJV)

 

[for_his_glory]

1- even if you want to obey God, it isn't that easy. Can anyone on this forum tell me they have never sinned, not even once, since their conversion? Does anyone on this forum have absolute certainty they will never sin again, not even in their heart? As far as I'm concerned, I'm not even sure trying to convince you isn't arrogant hence a sin in itself.

You are going to receive scripture from all of us no matter what forum you go into as that is how we learn by sharing in what Christ has already taught.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Our flesh is weak and will fall short of the glory of the Lord at times, Romans 7:7-25. It's not that we practice sin or willingly sin, but that sin is only found in our flesh that we must crucify daily as we are being perfected, justified and sanctified by faith which is our belief in Christ Jesus given to us by God's grace.

2- One may argue that Paul agrees with James on salvation but I'm still saying faith, even if supported by obedience, isn't enough since John the Baptist refused baptizing Pharisees and Sadducees unless they would produce fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-9; Luke 3:7-8) which clearly means that, according to John the Baptist, believing and repenting is not enough and even not ever sinning any more wouldn't be enough: one also has to make it up for the sins they committed before they converted.

Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
The fruits John the Baptist was speaking of are the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:16-26 that the Pharisees and Sadducees had not within them as they were to full of themselves to think they needed to repent of anything as they claimed faith through Abraham and not through God or His Son Christ Jesus.

Now, to illustrate Matthew 3:7-9 and Luke 3:7-8, I'd like to ask all readers of this post a very pragmatic question: would you allow a convicted pedophile to babysit your children provided they sincerely repented? Tell me! What would become of your beautiful principles if they weren't mere ideas to share on a forum but real actions to take in real life?

To ask a question like this, no matter the sin we all sinned and fell short of the glory of the Lord, but yet again, His grace is always suffient that we can truly humble our hearts before Him in repentance and know that we are forgiven, and not only forgiven God no longer remembers repented sin as our inner man becomes renewed by His Holy Spirit through the Spiritual rebirth from above as we are baptized with the baptism of Christ for the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. John 3:5-7; 2Corinthians 4:7-18.

So, yes I will allow anyone who has given their life to the Lord to watch my children if I had any as with God their past is remembered no more.

 

[Butch5]

Ah, ah! I had never heard of that phrase but it sums up how I feel! The funniest part is that this cheap grace can even be given to babies who have no idea what is going on, as if a few drops of holy water could save anyone.


Fine by me.


You are overlooking two crucial points:

1- even if you want to obey God, it isn't that easy. Can anyone on this forum tell me they have never sinned, not even once, since their conversion? Does anyone on this forum have absolute certainty they will never sin again, not even in their heart? As far as I'm concerned, I'm not even sure trying to convince you isn't arrogant hence a sin in itself.

No Christian's do sin. That's why John says we have an advocate for our sin. He said if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive them.

James said we offend in many ways.

2- One may argue that Paul agrees with James on salvation but I'm still saying faith, even if supported by obedience, isn't enough since John the Baptist refused baptizing Pharisees and Sadducees unless they would produce fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-9; Luke 3:7-8) which clearly means that, according to John the Baptist, believing and repenting is not enough and even not ever sinning any more wouldn't be enough: one also has to make it up for the sins they committed before they converted.

No, simply believing isn't sufficient. Works are required. That's why James said faith without works is dead.

Now, to illustrate Matthew 3:7-9 and Luke 3:7-8, I'd like to ask all readers of this post a very pragmatic question: would you allow a convicted pedophile to babysit your children provided they sincerely repented? Tell me! What would become of your beautiful principles if they weren't mere ideas to share on a forum but real actions to take in real life?

If I was asked that question, I would say that I would be fine with a pedophile babysitting my children provided he would be constantly supervised. After how many years of probation would I trust a pedophile to babysit my children unsupervised -- the equivalent of salvation in my metaphor? I honestly have no idea but God does know and this is when He gives grace, this is when he saves a Christian, when he knows they are able to walk their talk without ever tripping.

And please, for the love of God, do not throw another Bible verse at my face unless you answer the three questions I emphasized in red because being a Christian is not about knowing it all, it is about how we behave in real life.

No, I would not let him watch my children. We can forgive him but why would we ever put him into that situation. That's an area where he is weak to say the least. That's like taking a recovering alcoholic and making him a bartender.

 

[Walpole]

No, I asked 'you' a question. Does my good works or my failures affect what Christ has declared and imputed to me by faith?

Of course after we are saved we can do good works. But, again, do those works add to what Christ has declared and imputed to me by faith? Does my good or bad deeds affect the finished work of Christ? Does it add to or take away?

Well, actually, we deserve hell. That is what we deserve. But, we don't get hell, because of God, and Christ's work of salvation on our behalf.

Quantrill

We deserve hell? Wow, the Calvinist God is quite the devil!

Do you think your children deserve hell? When you held your infant child for the first time, did you feel an overwhelming desire to have that child suffer the pains of hell for eternity?

I recommend you learn about Jesus Christ. He shatters your notion of a tyrannical God out to destroy his children.

 

[Quantrill]

We deserve hell? Wow, the Calvinist God is quite the devil!

Do you think your children deserve hell? When you held your infant child for the first time, did you feel an overwhelming desire to have that child suffer the pains of hell for eternity?

I recommend you learn about Jesus Christ. He shatters your notion of a tyrannical God out to destroy his children.

Yes, we deserve hell. I am speaking as a Christian.

Yes, my and any other children deserve hell. My feelings and desires don't matter. What matters is what God says.

God is not out to destroy his children. He saves His children.

Quantrill

 

[Walpole]

Yes, we deserve hell. I am speaking as a Christian.

Yes, my and any other children deserve hell. My feelings and desires don't matter. What matters is what God says.

God is not out to destroy his children. He saves His children.

Quantrill

Give me a verse stating you deserve hell just for existing. Only a megalomaniac god would issue such a decree. I feel terrible for your children that their own father believes they deserve hell after having brought them into the world.

I invite you to learn about Jesus
Christ. He is our Good Samaritan and unlike Calvin’s God, he does not leave folks on the side of the road for dead. He reveals that God is not a megalomaniac who is out to send his children to hell. To the contrary, He loves man so much, He became one.

 

[for_his_glory]

Well, I am speaking of the Old and New Testament. The Scriptures.

Thus when we read the Bible we should be looking only at what God wants us to know.

But, understand, the sinner looks for grace. He doesn't try and look for a way to make his works rise above his sins. No matter what your works, they never remove your sins. Do they?

Expects something in return? Oh sister. And would you deceive yourself that you have provided what God expects in return. That's not grace. Is that your relationship to Christ? Quid pro quo? Christ will help you but He expects this in return?

Let me know when you fulfill your end of the deal.

In other words, you are fine with faith plus works. But then this begs the question. How many of your sins were paid for when Christ paid for your sins?

Quantrill

How do you understand James 2:14-26?

It's by God's grace, which is undeserved favor of God even though none deserve it, that by faith, which is Christ Jesus that by the sacrifice He made for all that we can come before Him with a heart of repentance that He forgives our past sins as our inner man is made renewed by His Spirit.

Faith alone saves us, but obedience to His commands in we carrying out the works of the Lord is what keeps our faith strong as we build upon it. Faith without works is dead faith if you do not pick up your cross and follow Christ.