Faith Without Works

[bobznew]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

 

[Faulty]

"Faith without works is dead."

Faith with works is alive. Sort of like saying a body without breathing is dead, but a body with breathing is alive.

Faith and works will go hand-in-hand. If you can see you have no works, you can bet you also have no saving faith.

 

[JimB]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

I think what James is driving at is that true faith will be demonstrated by loving, faithful deeds. Without faithfulness faith is non-existent—“dead”. After all, faith works by love (Gal. 5.6).

~Jim

Mercy triumphs over judgment. ~James 2.13​

 

[New_Wineskin]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

I look at it as James is saying that faith produces works . He is seperating faith in the Lord versus faith in the existance of the Lord .

 

[Optimax]

Faith without corresponding action is dead

 

[dies-l]

What you believe will inevitably affect what you do.

 

[JSGuitarist]

I think the passage says that faith witout works, in others words, is a mockery. You look at the example he used of a brother or sister that is lacking in clothes and daily necessities, and you claim to care, but all you say is, "May you keep warm and be well-fed." What kind of love is that? He says in the same way, faith without works is dead. Faith without works is exactly like the superficial friend in the example; as the love was ineffective and dead, and so was the faith. What good is a dead anything? I like the way Matthew Henry put it:

We are too apt to rest in a bare profession of faith, and to think that this will save us; it is a cheap and easy religion to say, "We believe the articles of the Christian faith;" but it is a great delusion to imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven. Those who argue thus wrong God, and put a cheat upon their own souls; a mock-faith is as hateful as mock-charity, and both show a heart dead to all real godliness. You may as soon take pleasure in a dead body, void of soul, or sense, or action, as God take pleasure in a dead faith, where there are no works.

 

[nephilimiyr]

I've talked about this quite a bit and I just don't want to say the same old thing again. There is one thing that took me a long time to figure out about this truth of faith without works is dead because I always thought this had to do with good deeds, but at the core of the messege it really has little to do with good deeds. Good deeds like feeding the hungry, taking care of the poor, clothing the naked etc., etc.

This messege has to do with what is in your heart, it has to do with the with-in. When I first looked at these passages I saw that I had to do all those kinds of external things, it was all external to me. But a funny thing happends when you pray for wisdom and revelation, God can totally turn around what seems to be a completely understandable passage into something you never would've thought on your own.

See, God doesn't want actors and actresses, He wants true worshippers that truely believe in him and trusts in him. And He knows the difference, you can't fool God, if it's not with-in you to do good works but you're doing them anyway because you know that that's how a christian is supposed to be, He will know it.

The life as a christian all has to do with what's within you. Jesus sumed up what the law of God was with two different things, love God and love your neighbor. Boil it down to one thing and it's love, period. So if in your heart you desire to hurt your brother but you actually exteriorly do something nice for him, guess what, you still hurt your brother, and you are guilty of not pleasing God irreguardless of your nice deed. I've done that before. I'm angry with someone but because I want to still please God, or make myself right with him, I turn around and do something good for the person I wish would suffer a little bit. LOL, I thought I was so good in doing so, I've found out that God is not impressed, and in fact it actually hurt him.

This has to do with what's in your heart. And we're all guilty, even those of us who believe we are holier than thou. There is no one who can keep the law. Oh yes, there are people who love to glue their good deeds to their exterior and say look at me, look at how good I am, look at the great faith I have, yet they turn around and judge others, they point fingers, deep down they hold grudges towards anyone who doesn't agree with their theologies and doctrines, or who don't worship the sameway as they do. Is that love?

Jesus said that the real interpretation of the commandments has to do with what's in your heart. That the law must be applied and obeyed within you. If you truely apply it in your heart you would never have a desire to hurt your brother or not have a thought of walking a mile in his shoes. You would never have a judgmental thought. But Jesus knew this was imposible for us to live up to this higher level of righteousness so He came and shead his blood for us because He knew we wouldn't make it without his blood. Because what's inside of all of us is fowl, I don't care how many good deeds you do.

Exterior works without an inward change is dead. Works without faith is dead. It means you're doing exterior behavior to show other people that you are oh so holy and good.

 

[dies-l]

Faith without works is a lie. Works without faith is a recipe for self-righteous legalism. Neither saves anyone.

 

[spiritwarrior37]

There are those that use this passage to say if you do no works you will not enter heaven. What James is saying here is that our faith will produce works, and if there are no works as evidence of your faith, then your faith is suspect.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Faith without corresponding action is dead

What you believe will inevitably affect what you do.

I really like these two together .

 

[souldancer]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

There's a saying. 'Show me your faith and I'll show you your works. Show me your works and I'll show you your faith." I believe you don't have one without the other.

Also works will not get you to heaven. Your works are your garmets in heaven. They are your righteous acts. Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garmet: And he saith unto him, Friend, how comest thou in hither not having a wedding garmet? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Another verse shows when our works are tainted. James 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garmets are moth-eaten.

Another verse telling us to take heed of our garments. Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garmets, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

 

[Child of JC]

I used to be a swimming instructor. I was having a conversation with a co-worker and we were discussing the differences between teaching adults and children. She said, "Children just jump in (the pool). But with adults, you spend all your time trying to earn their trust."
This conversation was the best lesson on faith I had ever heard. Children trust that you will catch them. They trust that they will be ok if they jump in. Adults don't jump in. They slide in, and question if the instructor will truly take care of them while in the water.
We can't claim to have faith in God (the swimming instructor) and refuse to jump, because if our faith is real, it will cause us to "jump". So,.. faith without jumping in is dead.
Praying that His Body would have child like faith in 2010! Have your way in our hearts Father ♥

 

[Gregory Thompson]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

Works are a reflection of faith .

but works without faith are dead also .

 

[lismore]

"Faith without works is dead."

Trying to get the complete understanding of this passage of Scripture. Does it simply mean that faith without works is WORTHLESS? Or is the meaning that faith REQUIRES works (as sustenance) to live? (Like a human being requires FOOD to live)

John 6:

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."



Works and faith are the same, its believing in Jesus.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

John 6:

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

in interest of furthering the discussion

I take this to mean trusting Him is the work .

i guess understanding what Jesus meant by trust/faith is pivotal to the interpretation .

 

[Simon Peter]

I see faith as a seed, once planted in the believer it will 'naturally' produce fruit.

Believers should have confidence that the Holy Spirit will nurture and grow that seed into something that produces fruit, and is pleasing to the Lord.

I once new a pastor who told me 'if someone tells me they are a Christian, I ask them how they changed since becoming a Christian'. Personally I wouldn't always expect an immediate change, but I understand his point.


Simon

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I see faith as a seed, once planted in the believer it will 'naturally' produce fruit.

Believers should have confidence that the Holy Spirit will nurture and grow that seed into something that produces fruit, and is pleasing to the Lord.

I once new a pastor who told me 'if someone tells me they are a Christian, I ask them how they changed since becoming a Christian'. Personally I wouldn't always expect an immediate change, but I understand his point.


Simon