Saving faith with works is saving faith by works

[mailmandan]

Let's see if scripture agrees with you.

Scripture teaches that something else is needed besides faith:

Based on your conclusion you clearly teach salvation by faith AND WORKS. I guess Paul forgot to mention that something else is needed besides faith for salvation in Romans 4:5-6; 5:1 and Ephesians 2:8,9.

Philippians 1:29
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Suffering for Christ's sake goes beyond justification and pertains to ongoing or progressive sanctification.

1 Corinthians 13:2
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is the greatest quality between faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) because God is love and it outlasts faith and hope. Long after the "evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1) are now seen and we are no longer looking for the "blessed hope" - (expectation of what is sure) and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) because we are now in His presence, love will still be the principle that governs all that God and his saints are and do throughout eternity in the new heaven and new earth.

24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Only one verse is necessary to debunk your idea that faith alone saves you.
I've given you 3.
SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE
LOVE
WORKS

Paul and James agree that faith alone is not sufficient.

You gave me your eisegesis. In regard to James 2:24, James is not using the word "justified" to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

Man is saved through faith and not by works (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is (evidenced) by works. (James 2:14-24)

*Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.*

It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24-28; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine. (James 2:14-24) *Perfect Harmony*

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Based on your conclusion you clearly teach salvation by faith AND WORKS. I guess Paul forgot to mention that something else is needed besides faith for salvation in Romans 4:5-6; 5:1 and Ephesians 2:8,9.

Work proves, validates and strengthens faith. Talking the talk but not walking the walk makes a hypocrite.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 Jn. 1:6-7)

 

[mailmandan]

Work proves, validates and strengthens faith. Talking the talk but not walking the walk makes a hypocrite.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 Jn. 1:6-7)

In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims he has faith but has no works (to evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So, when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith.

So, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.

John 1:6 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

In 1 John 2:9, we read - He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. In vs. 11 - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

*Compare with 1 John 3:10 - In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, (compare with 1 John 1:6 - does not practice the truth) nor is he who does not love his brother.

*Notice that walks in darkness, hates his brother is 'descriptive' of children of the devil.

 

[Johann!@#]

I shall continue to refuse... to succumb to the false teaching that believing on Jesus Christ The Savior is a 'work' associated with obeying any law of God. Christ's Salvation is always... by Faith, by belief, and not of even the idea of 'works'.

I suppose I must be presenting a different gospel, one where faith is accompanied by and evidenced through works. Not even a hint or idea of works? Or maybe I have misread your post?

Or perhaps you haven’t considered these verses in their full context--could that be the case?

Matthew 7:21 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Luke 6:46 - "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

John 15:8 - "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

Romans 2:6-7 - "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."

Romans 12:1 - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Philippians 2:12 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Colossians 1:10 - "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

1 Timothy 6:18 - "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share."

Titus 2:14 - "Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Titus 3:8 - "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works."

James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James 2:26 - "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."

1 Peter 2:12 - "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

These verses demonstrate that good works are not the basis of salvation but the evidence of a transformed life in Christ. Genuine faith manifests through actions, reflecting obedience and commitment to God's will.

I'm all for correction brother DavidT but I do believe I understand these passages and many more.

Johann.

 

[Johann!@#]

Where in the bible does it say we are justified by "works"?

I have read somewhere you don't like "word salads" I fully agree. You asked a question and here it is.

Read my conclusion before you ask a question.

James 2:24 - "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

James 2:21 - "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?"

James 2:25 - "And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"

Matthew 12:37 - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Romans 2:13 - "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified."

Matthew 7:21 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

1 John 3:7 - "Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous."

Romans 14:12 - "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."

2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Titus 3:8 - "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works."

Matthew 25:31-46 - The judgment of the nations emphasizes that those who performed acts of mercy are commended, while those who did not are condemned.

John 5:29 - "And come out-those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

Galatians 5:6 - "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."

Romans 6:22 - "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."

Philippians 2:12 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Explanation--
While justification by faith is central to Pauline theology (e.g., Romans 3:28 - "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law"), James clarifies that genuine faith naturally produces works as its evidence (James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead").

The contrast is not between faith and works but between dead faith (without works) and living faith (accompanied by works).

mailmandan--you agree?

Johann.

 

[Fastfredy0]

The contrast is not between faith and works but between dead faith (without works) and living faith (accompanied by works).

@mailmandan--you agree?

Johann.

Very good list of verses. Looks like you did your homework.

I think I agree with your statement. I word it as "saving faith" will always cause "works/obedience". The cause is FAITH and the effect is WORKS. This clarifies the relationship between 'faith' and 'works' which is the crux of the matter IMO.

 

[Johann!@#]

I think I agree with your statement. I word it as "saving faith" will always cause "works/obedience". The cause is FAITH and the effect is WORKS. This clarifies the relationship between 'faith' and 'works' which is the crux of the matter IMO.

As I fully concur with your statement brother.

Johann.

 

[tdidymas]

The gospel of being saved by faith, not by works, contradicts the supplemental teaching of being saved with works following.

The problem is it depends on a game with words, that accepts 'with' works, but rejects 'by' works, which has no grammatical significance, and is not ever used by God to make a difference pertaining to faith and works.

It's why Paul condemns playing word games with the gospel and doctrine of Christ, because it only produces endless useless arguments over words, rather than promoting godly living;

1Ti 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

And as well all disengenuous games, it backfires in the end. In this case, salvation by faith, not by works, fails any time works accompany salvation, and are accepted with salvation. Such as being saved with works following.

Being saved by faith alone without works, forbids ever being saved with any works at any time, where at the first or following, at a later time.

Is not salvation by faith, also with faith? Yes. Is not salvation by faith always with faith? Yes. So then the gospel of salvation by faith can never be without faith.

And so, if salvation is ever with works, then salvation must be by works, else salvation with faith is not by faith.

Therefore, if someone preaches the gospel of faith, not by works, then the salvation must always be without works, and only by faith alone. Esle salvation with works becomes by works.

But if anyone preaches the gospel of salvation by faith with works following, then they must preach being saved by works following. Else by faith can be without faith, since with works cannot be by works.

Therefore, the gospel of salvation by faith with works following, is being saved by faith and not yet by works.

This is why justification by works is with works following salvation by faith.

God's salvation is never by faith alone, which would be never with works now nor later. That is the false gospel of salvation by faith alone without works, and never by works.

The gospel we see in Eph 2 and James 2, is that salvation is by faith with works following, to be justified by works with faith.

If no man can be justified by works with saving faith, then no man can be saved with works by faith. Else salvation with faith is not by faith, even as salvation with works is not by works.

Making the difference between faith and works is one thing, but changing the divine principle of by and with faith, to with and not by works, also must then apply to with the will of God, and not by His will.

We add Titus 3 to make difference between the works to be justified by, and those works never justified by God: No works of man's own will and righteousness, which can be boasted of, can justify any man with God.

Only God's works following salvation by faith, that we do through Christ Jesus, can justify every man who is saved by faith in God.

1Pe 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Reformed doctrine teaches that a person is saved - born of God - by the grace of God (because of His mercy). This happens AT or AFTER the hearing of the gospel, as the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual ears of the person to hear; therefore, faith in Jesus comes logically and chronologically after (or simultaneously when) a person is born of God by the Holy Spirit. So then, if a person has saving faith, it shows he is already saved - 1 Jn. 5:1 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God." Notice it says "everyone" - who believes - has already been born of God.

So then, when someone exhibits "saving faith," they are assured they are born of God. Yet, there is a nuance that is addressed in 1 John and James - the deeds one does either shows true faith or lack of it. Everyone has a chance to prove himself, and God gives everyone that chance in tribulations. Paul wrote in very clear and practical fashion in Rom. 8:13: "if you live after the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh you will live, for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Again, in Gal. 6 he says, "do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. If you sow to the flesh, you shall from the flesh reap corruption [i.e. eternal death]; but if you sow to the Spirit, you shall from the Spirit reap everlasting life." This is Paul's practical way of saying that the works you do prove whether or not your faith is genuine. This is concurred by other writers of the NT, including John, Peter, James, and the writer of Hebrews.

Therefore, good works is integral to knowing the status of the salvation of your soul. It is an integral part of the Christian faith, to believe that God is at work in your heart to produce the good works that are commanded by Jesus and the apostles. Eph. 2:10 "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God foreordained that we should walk in them." I contend that by scripture first, then by my 50 years of Christian experience, the one who has no concern for doing good works for God has definite reason to question if he is really saved. After all, being "saved" means being saved from sin - i.e. from the deeds of sin in addition to its penalty. 1 Jn. 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." - meaning continual repentant attitude (not perfection).

So then, part of the Christian faith is to trust that Christ delivers from sinful deeds and habits. Every failed test is an opportunity to improve the character, with the goal to glorify God by the lifestyle. This is part of that faith Paul is talking about which justifies us with God. So works has to do with faith, or lack of it. Works that are done for presenting oneself to God for acceptance is those works that do not justify a person. But works done for proving that one already is justified by faith is those works that justify a person, according to James 2:24.

We aren't obeying Christ to obtain salvation, but we are obeying Him because we already have it - that's the difference. We are justified by faith alone, but we prove that our faith is genuine by loving our neighbor as Christ commanded. If you study the NT carefully, you'll see this doctrine is taught in all of it. Love for one's neighbor is driven by the Spirit of God, and this is the activity of faith.

 

[Johann!@#]

I contend that by scripture first, then by my 50 years of Christian experience, the one who has no concern for doing good works for God has definite reason to question if he is really saved. After all, being "saved" means being saved from sin - i.e. from the deeds of sin in addition to its penalty. 1 Jn. 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." - meaning continual repentant attitude (not perfection).

Well said, firmly grounded in Scripture, and nothing more needs to be added.

J.

 

[onlysaved]

The gospel of being saved by faith, not by works, contradicts the supplemental teaching of being saved with works following.

The problem is it depends on a game with words, that accepts 'with' works, but rejects 'by' works, which has no grammatical significance, and is not ever used by God to make a difference pertaining to faith and works.

It's why Paul condemns playing word games with the gospel and doctrine of Christ, because it only produces endless useless arguments over words, rather than promoting godly living;

1Ti 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

And as well all disengenuous games, it backfires in the end. In this case, salvation by faith, not by works, fails any time works accompany salvation, and are accepted with salvation. Such as being saved with works following.

Being saved by faith alone without works, forbids ever being saved with any works at any time, where at the first or following, at a later time.

Is not salvation by faith, also with faith? Yes. Is not salvation by faith always with faith? Yes. So then the gospel of salvation by faith can never be without faith.

And so, if salvation is ever with works, then salvation must be by works, else salvation with faith is not by faith.

Therefore, if someone preaches the gospel of faith, not by works, then the salvation must always be without works, and only by faith alone. Esle salvation with works becomes by works.

But if anyone preaches the gospel of salvation by faith with works following, then they must preach being saved by works following. Else by faith can be without faith, since with works cannot be by works.

Therefore, the gospel of salvation by faith with works following, is being saved by faith and not yet by works.

This is why justification by works is with works following salvation by faith.

God's salvation is never by faith alone, which would be never with works now nor later. That is the false gospel of salvation by faith alone without works, and never by works.

The gospel we see in Eph 2 and James 2, is that salvation is by faith with works following, to be justified by works with faith.

If no man can be justified by works with saving faith, then no man can be saved with works by faith. Else salvation with faith is not by faith, even as salvation with works is not by works.

Making the difference between faith and works is one thing, but changing the divine principle of by and with faith, to with and not by works, also must then apply to with the will of God, and not by His will.

We add Titus 3 to make difference between the works to be justified by, and those works never justified by God: No works of man's own will and righteousness, which can be boasted of, can justify any man with God.

Only God's works following salvation by faith, that we do through Christ Jesus, can justify every man who is saved by faith in God.

1Pe 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in GoGod.

This is false teaching.

The thief on the cross was saved by faith alone apart from works. One minute he is mocking Jesus the next he repents of his unbelief and Jesus saved Him.
"It is by grace you are saved through faith and this not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works so that no man may boast"

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved for it is with your heart that you believe and are Justified and by your mouth that you confess and are saved"

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand"

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"

"We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

How many times does God clearly have to say there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation before you believe it.
No playing with words whatsoever.
The whole Bible both new and old testaments clearly teach that salvation is by God's grace through faith.

To suggest anything a human does to secure their own salvation completely undermines what God says about human depravity.

Not by works, not by works, not by works..
By grace through faith in Jesus Christ.. everything else is false teaching from the pit of Hell.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Not by works, not by works, not by works..
By grace through faith in Jesus Christ.. everything else is false teaching from the pit of Hell.

Everyone is known and judged, by their works, though. "I know your works" - Rev. 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 3:1, 3:8, 3:15. "the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." - Rev. 20:12.

 

[onlysaved]

Everyone is known and judged, by their works, though. "I know your works" - Rev. 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 3:1, 3:8, 3:15. "the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." - Rev. 20:12.

"Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."

How does one make sure their name is in the book of life?

Revelation 13:8 says, “All who dwell on earth will worship (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”

You're name is written in the book before God created the Earth. Before you're born and certainly before you'd done any works.

Why try to twist together a theology out of scriptures that do not say what you want them to say when so much of scripture is so plainly clear?

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Nothing has changed. Except that the atonement for our sin has come.
The gospel is that God came and did for us what we could not do for ourselves and through faith in the work He has done we are made righteous.

You really think you have something of value to add to the work God already did?

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

You really think you have something of value to add to the work God already did?

As I said, all will be known, evaluated and judged by their work, believers and unbelievers alike. You have nothing to add for salvation, but you have everything to add if you intend to "be fruitful and multiply". Lord Jesus finished his work on the cross, but the Church's work hadn't even started until 40 days later when the Lord issued the Great Commission.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:19-20)
he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matt. 13:23)
Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (1 Cor. 3:13)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

 

[Johann!@#]

As I said, all will be known, evaluated and judged by their work, believers and unbelievers alike. You have nothing to add for salvation, but you have everything to add if you intend to "be fruitful and multiply". Lord Jesus finished his work on the cross, but the Church's work hadn't even started until 40 days later when the Lord issued the Great Commission.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:19-20)
he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matt. 13:23)
Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (1 Cor. 3:13)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

Well said.

J.

 

[onlysaved]

As I said, all will be known, evaluated and judged by their work, believers and unbelievers alike. You have nothing to add for salvation, but you have everything to add if you intend to "be fruitful and multiply". Lord Jesus finished his work on the cross, but the Church's work hadn't even started until 40 days later when the Lord issued the Great Commission.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:19-20)
he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matt. 13:23)
Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (1 Cor. 3:13)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

Interesting that you skipped the last half of the Corinthians quote.
Yes each man's work will be tested by fire some people's works will be burned up because it was made of straw and wood not precious materials however even those people will be saved "even as ones escaping through the flames"

I only bring this up because it's in reference to salvation.. not how to live a good Christian life. The work we need to do is to trust Christ for salvation. When we do that we receive the Holy Spirit who does good works through us, if we let Him.
Allowing Him to is a sign that salvation has taken place. What you'll see in a person with the Holy Spirit is Love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. All of these are post salvation and increase throughout the believers life in direct proportion to how much that believer allows the spirit to work in his or her life.

 

[JLB]

So, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.

The work James is referring to is obedience.

Confessing Jesus as LORD is the obedience to the Gospel command repent.

Confessing Jesus as LORD is our confession of faith.

It’s how faith is expressed through obedience to the Gospel.

It’s not doing some good work to be saved.
It’s not doing the works of the law to be saved.
It’s not doing work that earns a wage.

It’s simply confessing with our mouth the LORD Jesus, because we believe God raised Him from the dead.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

I think we all agree that Romans 10:9 is how we become saved.

Hopefully we can agree on this.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Interesting that you skipped the last half of the Corinthians quote.
Yes each man's work will be tested by fire some people's works will be burned up because it was made of straw and wood not precious materials however even those people will be saved "even as ones escaping through the flames"

I only bring this up because it's in reference to salvation.. not how to live a good Christian life. The work we need to do is to trust Christ for salvation. When we do that we receive the Holy Spirit who does good works through us, if we let Him.
Allowing Him to is a sign that salvation has taken place. What you'll see in a person with the Holy Spirit is Love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. All of these are post salvation and increase throughout the believers life in direct proportion to how much that believer allows the spirit to work in his or her life.

Work and faith are not a dichotomy, but a feedback loop. Of course you initially need grace and only grace through faith to be saved, but the thing is, after that, genuine faith leads to genuine work, which strengthens the faith in return. Without work, faith is dead as there's no feedback, and it'll only lead to the sin of pride, in other word, piety.

 

[GodsGrace]

Interesting that you skipped the last half of the Corinthians quote.
Yes each man's work will be tested by fire some people's works will be burned up because it was made of straw and wood not precious materials however even those people will be saved "even as ones escaping through the flames"

I only bring this up because it's in reference to salvation.. not how to live a good Christian life. The work we need to do is to trust Christ for salvation. When we do that we receive the Holy Spirit who does good works through us, if we let Him.
Allowing Him to is a sign that salvation has taken place. What you'll see in a person with the Holy Spirit is Love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. All of these are post salvation and increase throughout the believers life in direct proportion to how much that believer allows the spirit to work in his or her life.

Could you just post a few verses that state that all we need to do is to believe in Jesus and we need do nothing else?
And if you're going to use verses with the word BELIEVE in them...
please also define that word as it was used at the time the bible was written.
Thanks.

(I ask because I cannot find such a verse).

 

[onlysaved]

Work and faith are not a dichotomy, but a feedback loop. Of course you initially need grace and only grace through faith to be saved, but the thing is, after that, genuine faith leads to genuine work, which strengthens the faith in return. Without work, faith is dead as there's no feedback, and it'll only lead to the sin of pride, in other word, piety.

Of course that is true but my only point is that the whole Bible teaches that the saving part of that is the faith.
However faith and works are a dichotomy as soon as you start putting your trusting in your works for salvation. That is pride and makes you like the pharasies. As soon as you begin to think of yourself as a good person because of what you do you run afoul of the gospel.

 

[onlysaved]

Could you just post a few verses that state that all we need to do is to believe in Jesus and we need do nothing else?
And if you're going to use verses with the word BELIEVE in them...
please also define that word as it was used at the time the bible was written.
Thanks.

(I ask because I cannot find such a verse).

Strong’s Definitions
πείθω peíthō, pi’-tho; a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty):—agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) conflent, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.

The ancient Greek word for “believe” is pisteuó, this tense of the verb means to begin believing and to keep on believing.

Verses that teach Salvation by faith.. actually by grace through faith. Because our belief doesn't save us. It's God's grace that saves us. That is to say God's not giving us the punishment we deserve. He grants is this grace when we choose to believe Him.
Verses that put this on display.
Ephesians 2, 8-9
"It is by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of yourselves it is the gift of God and not the result of works so that no one may boast."

John 3 16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that Whosoever believes in Him shall not die but have everlasting life.

Acts 16:30​

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 10:9-10​

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:13​

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him

.

1 Peter 1:8-9​

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.