1 John 2:2 KJV

Old Lady said:

But my original question is pertaining to the world; who is saved? Is all the world saved?

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Not all are saved; what I understand John means is Jesus has died for all people, but many people refuse all which Jesus did. So, they are rejecting what He did on Calvary. Of course, still ones are called to repent so they don't miss out.

Old Lady said:

I agree. Paul doesn't contradict James.

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And Paul does not contradict John.

Guojing said:

Actually if you read Acts 21:18-25, Paul and James have very different beliefs on the role of the Law for believers.

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Well, let me look at that, for a moment > Acts 21:18-25. Yes, Jewish leaders in Jerusalem told Paul to join with four men to do some thing in the temple, in order to show he was orderly and kept the law.

How about 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?

And if you suppose the Jews were keeping the Law of Moses, how about Galatians 6:13?

Plus, this Acts 21:18-25 is an historical record of what happened at a certain point in the history of the early church; even if certain leaders felt they needed to keep the law, this does not mean they kept on believing that.

And neither John nor James directly say anyone must keep the law of Moses, as a requirement for salvation.

John emphasizes love, and this fits with how Paul says we need "faith working through love", in Galatians 5:6. So, yes faith alive has works. The works, though, do not bring salvation, but the faith working through love brings salvation. And my opinion is the love is what is important, to effect our character to change to be like Jesus, while this love has us doing works.

And James gives three examples of what he means by works which justify > James chapter two. These are examples of works which are done with personal loving > therefore of "faith working through love", like Paul says.

So, I see how all three agree.

com7fy8 said:

Not all are saved; what I understand John means is Jesus has died for all people, but many people refuse all which Jesus did. So, they are rejecting what He did on Calvary. Of course, still ones are called to repent so they don't miss out.

And Paul does not contradict John.

Well, let me look at that, for a moment > Acts 21:18-25. Yes, Jewish leaders in Jerusalem told Paul to join with four men to do some thing in the temple, in order to show he was orderly and kept the law.

How about 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?

And if you suppose the Jews were keeping the Law of Moses, how about Galatians 6:13?

Plus, this Acts 21:18-25 is an historical record of what happened at a certain point in the history of the early church; even if certain leaders felt they needed to keep the law, this does not mean they kept on believing that.

And neither John nor James directly say anyone must keep the law of Moses, as a requirement for salvation.

John emphasizes love, and this fits with how Paul says we need "faith working through love", in Galatians 5:6. So, yes faith alive has works. The works, though, do not bring salvation, but the faith working through love brings salvation. And my opinion is the love is what is important, to effect our character to change to be like Jesus, while this love has us doing works.

And James gives three examples of what he means by works which justify > James chapter two. These are examples of works which are done with personal loving > therefore of "faith working through love", like Paul says.

So, I see how all three agree.

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If you read Acts 21:18-25 literally, without reading into the passage, James is saying this

Jews who believe are to be zealous for the Law of Moses, including physical circumcision
Gentiles who believe are exempted from the Law of Moses.

Old Lady said:

"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Is that universalism, as in every human will be saved?

Is salvation accomplished by faith plus works, or does God work in believers to bring His work to completion?

Is it dead faith plus works, or living faith that produces works? Who gives us faith?

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It is not universalism spoken of in these words. Jesus died for the sins of the entire world and wants all men to be saved...not all will believe and be saved. You may wonder then what about predestination and is this not contradictory...that is that God would have all men to be saved, but predestined not all men. That issue is not a part of your OP however and so will only touch upon one answer to predestination which is most often put forth:
God grants all men a measure of faith and talent...enough potential for salvation...yet knows how each will employ it in advance. Some do not seek God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 make clear that salvation is a gift of God and only a gift of God. The true Christian grows in faith and works as an "outcropping" of that saving gift of faith/salvation. We are to go on and live the sanctified life.

Old Lady said:

"... 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Is that universalism, as in every human will be saved?

Is salvation accomplished by faith plus works, or does God work in believers to bring His work to completion?

Is it dead faith plus works, or living faith that produces works? Who gives us faith?

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Joh 6:28 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

The payment has been made and it is adequate to cover all the sins of all men for all time. That no man, in and of Himself, ever seeks God, which makes it a great thing that God seeks all of us so thoroughly that when we refuse, reject, exchange the truth God builds into us for a lie, and even refuse to retain a knowledge of Him in our own minds and hearts any longer, we still know and completely understand the consequences for what we consciously choose.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress(Man's choice/act of will) the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; (What God builds right into every human being)for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks(Man's choice/act of will), but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged(Man's choice/act of will) the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore(God's Response to Man's Choice) God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged(Man's choice/act of will) the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason(God's Response to Man's Choice) God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer(Man's choice/act of will), God gave them over(God's Response to Man's Choice) to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God(What God builds right into every human being), that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same(Man's choice/act of will), but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Everyone gets sought by God and everyone chooses how they respond. God then responds to the choices. Only real choices can be justly rewarded or punished. If there is no ability to chose no just rewards or punishments can be meted out. Example: I knock you unconscious, put a gun in your hand and pull the trigger for you, killing someone. Who made the choice? Who should receive the just consequences? God Himself is going to let every human being who falls short judge Him based on His word. God says that He gave every human being the knowledge necessary to be saved eventually and that they consciously chose to suppress, reject and exchange that truth for a lie. If God lied, He goes to hell. If everything is exactly as God states, then we chose to make the real choice to reject what is built into every human being.

Rom 3:3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

Interestingly, every person on the face of the earth believes they love truth and have truth. Ask them. The atheists, Moslems, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Roman Catholics ... pick the group. There are avid believers zealous for their beliefs in every group. In Mat. 7, Jesus says that the vast majority that believe He is their Lord, God and Savior are headed for hell. The many on the broad path verses the few on the to groan path are explained by the many who will say to Him, "Lord, Lord, ..."

Indeed, everyone in b=every belief group believes they love and have the truth. But do they love truth or do they love what they believe?

2Th 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive(Man's choice/act of will) the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason(God's Response to Man's Choice) God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Notice that Paul compares those living in his day and who pass this test to those in the end times who fail it making this a timeless truth. Everyone gets what they need to believe whatever it is they want if they do not love truth more than what they want to believe is true. In effect, all faith is from God and God gives us all exactly what we want.

People who want to hold fast to what they “want to believe” “as” truth:

1.) Gather whatever they can “use” to prove what they “want to believe” to be truth.

2.) Accumulate all evidence they believe proves all opposing views incorrect.

3.) Assume their beliefs are unquestionable truth, and interpret everything in such a way as to make it all support, or at least not negate, their beliefs. Think about it. If your beliefs are unquestionable truths, all “valid” data, must support … or at least not negate, your infallible beliefs, right?

4.) Reinterpret, ignore, discredit, invalidate … anything that doesn’t seem to fit with their views, Why? Our beliefs are “Fact” Valid data interpreted correctly can’t contradict the facts.

5.) Gather all the other experiences, feelings, data … to solidify their beliefs such as signs, wonders, spiritual gifts or facts about your belief group. Things like: we have a burning in the bosom, we speak in tongues, we perform signs or wonders, a statue of Mary came to life and told us our belief groups views are correct, we have prayed to God for the truth and received “feelings” or even signs from heaven. Or, on a more concrete level: Our belief group is the oldest, largest, fastest growing, wealthiest, has the most experts with doctorates… Include anything that adds assurance that your views and belief group have the most truth.

These are the things we do "if" we just want to believe what we want to believe, and have reasons for discarding the rest. This process closes our eyes, ears and hearts to even considering anything else. This process allows all the people from every group believing themselves to be Christian to believe the gospel is simple, while believing completely different “simple” gospels.

The more they do, and focus on, the things in that list above the more hardened they all become into what they want to believe and the more closed their eyes and ears are to ever considering anything else. After all, what self-respecting Atheist, Moslem, Christian scientist, Buddhist, Anglican ... would ever consider exchanging the absolute truth of their core beliefs / Absolute unquestionable truth for anything "else" which, by very definition has to be a lie.

That which we love least is always forced to conform to what we love most. Everyone loves either the truth or their beliefs. If you are using the above Methodology to gather proof for your beliefs we know which side of the issue you fall on.

Old Lady said:

"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Is that universalism, as in every human will be saved?

Is salvation accomplished by faith plus works, or does God work in believers to bring His work to completion?

Is it dead faith plus works, or living faith that produces works? Who gives us faith?

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No! The Apostle is speaking to "saints of God" and not the world. One needs to see the sequence of Scripture when reading. Keeping that in mind, it is speaking to saints to honor God there for blessing and rewards. Lost souls is not the issue here. One can read the four Gospels to learn about salvation and blessing for the world; as found in John 3:16; John 14; etc. I hope this helps.