- May 22, 2013
- 13,720
- 6,139
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
James 2:25 >
"Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" (James 2:25)
Now, here James gives an example of a work and he uses a harlot! He could have used a lady like Abigail who helped David avoid making a major error against how God would have him rule by love > 1 Samuel 25. Or, he could have used Mary sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word, instead of running around crazy doing house chores (Luke 10:38-42).
No, James . . . a Jewish guy, to my knowledge . . . uses a harlot for his example of a work which justifies a person.
Because Jesus wants all of us. Jesus suffered and died like He did, on Calvary, with hope for any and all people. So, James agrees with Jesus . . . and with Paul, of course
So, James uses Rahab as an example of a person doing a good work; but, also, James says her good work justified her.
Yes, justify can mean how we try to make ourselves look right, when we are wrong
Ones might try to use good works to make up for how we are wrong and/or have done wrong . . . so we become somehow right. B-u-t > if our character has not become right . . . we still have a problem.
Also, ones understand and trust that justify means a work is evidence of our deeper change which is because of faith, but it does not mean the work has done anything for us. And we are at risk of making gestures, so we can fool ourselves into supposing we have proven ourselves to be righteous.
And I think there are people who believe that works justifying means doing things ceremonial which guarantee us salvation. Someone can be an evil person, but copy-cat certain things and be told he or she is now forgiven and going to Heaven > even while the person has not been changing to become like Jesus!!
But, in any case, we need how we are made right not only in our status or position, of what we are declared to be, but we need how our character becomes how Jesus in His love is truly right.
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
We were justified and sanctified when we first trusted in Jesus and He saved us. We were sanctified, meaning we became set apart to God, no longer in Satan's kingdom > we became holy by becoming God's children. And God's righteousness was imputed to us, making us right in our standing with God; so, also, we were justified, meaning made right in our standing.
But we did not become how Jesus is holy in the nature of His love, and we did not become righteous all the way how Jesus in His love is right. This takes major lifelong correction > Hebrews 12:4-14 > and maturing. You can not just say it is so.
Plus, by the way, God uses us all to help one another to grow in Jesus. We are members of each other, we so need each other; because God has made it this way.
At salvation, we became right, simply by getting with Jesus. It is kind of like how you become a champion simply by joining a Super Bowl championship team. It takes no practice with the team, in order to simply be drafted onto the team. You become right in your status,
simply by joining the right team
But then there are works which turn you into a player who is right for actually playing on the team. There are things which help you get healthier and stronger. There are activities of bonding and learning to coordinate with others on the team. Ones say a successful team needs to become like a family. Even how you relate with your family can effect how well you are ready to play.
So, in our works we need to do things which help us to grow and relate as family . . . with God our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Groom and one another.
So, the examples which James gives of works are possibly an introductory sample. These examples seem more done by individuals acting on their own. But we have , among other things, and with one another. We worship as family, do the hospitality with others.
And sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word.
"Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" (James 2:25)
Now, here James gives an example of a work and he uses a harlot! He could have used a lady like Abigail who helped David avoid making a major error against how God would have him rule by love > 1 Samuel 25. Or, he could have used Mary sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word, instead of running around crazy doing house chores (Luke 10:38-42).
No, James . . . a Jewish guy, to my knowledge . . . uses a harlot for his example of a work which justifies a person.
Because Jesus wants all of us. Jesus suffered and died like He did, on Calvary, with hope for any and all people. So, James agrees with Jesus . . . and with Paul, of course
So, James uses Rahab as an example of a person doing a good work; but, also, James says her good work justified her.
Yes, justify can mean how we try to make ourselves look right, when we are wrong
Ones might try to use good works to make up for how we are wrong and/or have done wrong . . . so we become somehow right. B-u-t > if our character has not become right . . . we still have a problem.
Also, ones understand and trust that justify means a work is evidence of our deeper change which is because of faith, but it does not mean the work has done anything for us. And we are at risk of making gestures, so we can fool ourselves into supposing we have proven ourselves to be righteous.
And I think there are people who believe that works justifying means doing things ceremonial which guarantee us salvation. Someone can be an evil person, but copy-cat certain things and be told he or she is now forgiven and going to Heaven > even while the person has not been changing to become like Jesus!!
But, in any case, we need how we are made right not only in our status or position, of what we are declared to be, but we need how our character becomes how Jesus in His love is truly right.
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
We were justified and sanctified when we first trusted in Jesus and He saved us. We were sanctified, meaning we became set apart to God, no longer in Satan's kingdom > we became holy by becoming God's children. And God's righteousness was imputed to us, making us right in our standing with God; so, also, we were justified, meaning made right in our standing.
But we did not become how Jesus is holy in the nature of His love, and we did not become righteous all the way how Jesus in His love is right. This takes major lifelong correction > Hebrews 12:4-14 > and maturing. You can not just say it is so.
Plus, by the way, God uses us all to help one another to grow in Jesus. We are members of each other, we so need each other; because God has made it this way.
At salvation, we became right, simply by getting with Jesus. It is kind of like how you become a champion simply by joining a Super Bowl championship team. It takes no practice with the team, in order to simply be drafted onto the team. You become right in your status,
simply by joining the right team
But then there are works which turn you into a player who is right for actually playing on the team. There are things which help you get healthier and stronger. There are activities of bonding and learning to coordinate with others on the team. Ones say a successful team needs to become like a family. Even how you relate with your family can effect how well you are ready to play.
So, in our works we need to do things which help us to grow and relate as family . . . with God our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Groom and one another.
So, the examples which James gives of works are possibly an introductory sample. These examples seem more done by individuals acting on their own. But we have , among other things, and with one another. We worship as family, do the hospitality with others.
And sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word.
Upvote
0