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Taken out of context, this verse would seem to oppose the "justified by faith" arguement, but if you read the context, it does not. What it is is a pragmatic view of how to take the temperature of your faith. (James, being pragmatic, imagine that!) Faith with out works is what? Dead. Worthless.
Let me approach this another way. What then is faith? (read scriptures on this question, about things unseen, etc.) Faith is not a lack of doubt. Rather, it is action pushing past doubt. I think an analogy that works is fear and courage. What is courage? SOme people think that it is fearlessness, but I consider that wrong. Fearlessness can come from deeper convictions that allow you to ignore fear, even when there is something to obviously be afraid of. I won't go down that track of thought, though. Generally, courage is not the lack of fear. Rather it is the setting aside of your fear and not letting it control you, enabling you to push past that fear. Many heros will admit that their acts of heroism were done in the face of extreme fear.
Are you a Hero? Abraham was. For God.
Be Blessed and a Blessing,
Mel
2006-04-06 19:39:51 Posted by Mel ()
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Nope, very much not a hero. Some kind of foot soldier maybe.
2006-04-06 20:08:40 Posted by Jon ()
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and I have been chastized on several occasions for claiming true faith should call one to action! that verse is one I have heard frequently taken out of context to attempt to discredit what the Bible says.
Be blessed
2006-04-06 23:08:37 Posted by Ross ()
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Morning Mel,
see also Ephesians 2:8ff. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, - & this is not by yourself, it is the gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
In context it is all stated here, it does not oppose James, but taken together makes perfect sense.
Is not our God Awesome for His Word "logos"
Love in His Name Stuart
2006-04-07 02:51:37 Posted by Stuart (stuart@sadrankin.com)
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It just reminds me that as you become more Christ-like, works automatically follow. Christ did not just sit on the side lines waiting for the day he would be crucified, instead He went out trying to help all He could, spreading the Good News. If you are a true follower of Christ, your actions and deeds will automatically show your good works. These are not works that one will boost in, but works that one would feel compelled and happy to do.
What I am trying to say is that it is not a must or a required duty, but more of a by-product. hope I am getting my thoughts across.
God Bless
2006-04-07 04:58:53 Posted by Lee ()
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Mel... perhaps the best explanation of this verse that I have seen. Faith is indeed active and our works are a guage if you will, of teh extent that we are allowing our faith to direct our lives. faith is like a fire... if it is there and it is active there will be signs of it for others to see!!!
May God Bless you Brother!
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2006-04-07 07:30:45 Posted by Bob (bh@sbgm.org)
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Thank you all for yu kind comments. Ultimately, the mystery of God's Perfect Word stands on its own. Our interpretations of what he would have us understand is where all failing lies. I hope to get closer each time I look. I hope you do, too.
2006-04-07 10:01:41 Posted by Mel ()
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