The works that Paul and the Apostles did for Salvation.

[Bro.T]

However, the KJV presents it as to the Hebrews.



And you know this, how?

Nor was that asserted.

When you start dealing with Jewish people you go into another territory of people who are called Edomites or Esau. Herod was and Edomite and we see what he did to the Israelites (Jews) looking for Jesus. Let's go into Matthew 2: 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

You have go back and read the story of Edom (Esau) and Jacob in Genesis, they are brothers but there's a situation. Let’s go to Malachi 1: 1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. 4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. 5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

It's a lot more to this story. So at that time when Paul and apostles where teaching the Jewish people had other plans in mind.

 

[Clare73]

When you start dealing with Jewish people you go into another territory of people who are called Edomites or Esau. Herod was and Edomite and we see what he did to the Israelites (Jews) looking for Jesus. Let's go into Matthew 2: 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

You have go back and read the story of Edom (Esau) and Jacob in Genesis, they are brothers but there's a situation. Let’s go to Malachi 1: 1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. 4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. 5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

It's a lot more to this story. So at that time when Paul and apostles where teaching the Jewish people had other plans in mind.

Relevance to the recipients of the letter of Paul to the Hebrews?

 

[Bro.T]

Yes, it's been taught that man is culpable for sin to the extent that he has full knowledge of its sinfullness and deliberate intent in commiting it. It's really not just an either/or thing, however; we're more or less culpable to the extent that we willingly participate in an act that we know is wrong. Either way the new testament brings about a new covenant. And within that covenaat is a new realtionship with God that was earlier not availbe to humankind on a universal scake, presuambly because, while God graced and used certain figures for His purposes previously, man in general wasn't yet ready until the "fullness of time" had come to be introduced more intimately to God. And with this new relationship estalbished via by faith man is now able, with a newly realized righteousnsess, now under grace, by the Spirit, to overcome the sin that otherwise previously condemend him- because he could not overcome it previously, whether by the law or by any other means. He had no ability to overcome sin apart from God.

Well, the things is it's not a new relationship as people make think. Grace and Faith being on the table since the Old Testament. Paul said in (Gal. 3:11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. This didn’t start in the New Testament, Paul was only quoting scripture, and the just has always lived by their faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. The just shall live by his belief (faith), and how do you show the Lord that you believe in him? By your obedience to his word.

Lets go into (Heb. 11: 1-2, 7, 17, 39, 40 (v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (v.2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. Now by the elder’s faith (belief) in God they obtained a good report. But how did theses elders show God that they had faith (belief) in him? Let’s take a look at some of them. (v.7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness, which is by faith. How did Noah prove to God that he had faith in him? By his works! Noah moved with faith and fear and began preparing the ark. (v.17) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Now here is the father of the faithful, and how did he show God the he had faith in him? By his works! The Lord God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son, his only son. And Abraham’s faith was so strong that he was seconds’ way from killing his only son when the angel of the Lord stopped him, now that’s truly fruits of faith. Let's skip down for time sake...But all of these people we just read about showed you fruits of faith they showed you works. (v.39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: They received a good report through faith. But how did they show their faith (belief) in God? By their works, and they all died with a good report having not received the promise. (v.40) God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Everybody that has a better resurrection coming will receive it at the same time. That’s why it says that they without us will not be made perfect. Who is perfect? God is perfect.

Let's go into 1 John 5: 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

[fhansen]

Were we created with the righteousness of the divine Son of God?

Are you agreeing with me here, or whats the point? As I said, man lacks the righeousness that he was created to have.

1) Man was not created to be a sinner. God is not the author of sin.
2) Man was created with a justice/righeousness which depends on his nearness to God; he was made for communion with God. He cannot retain moral integrity; he will sin-and die- if alienated from Him. Jesus, in His human nature, possessd that union with God continously.
3) Adam broke that union ; he drew away from God, which is why we're all "born dead" now, in a state of spritual separation from God, not knowing Him.
3) Jesus, in the fullness of time, came to rectify this situation,, to reconcile man with God again. He reperesents and expresses all that God is, so that by knowing Him we may believe in, hope in, and, most importantly, love Him where man's bond with/nearness to God, and therefore his justice/righteousness, would be complete.

"He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Pet 1:20-21

 

[fhansen]

Well, the things is it's not a new relationship as people make think. Grace and Faith being on the table since the Old Testament. Paul said in (Gal. 3:11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. This didn’t start in the New Testament, Paul was only quoting scripture, and the just has always lived by their faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. The just shall live by his belief (faith), and how do you show the Lord that you believe in him? By your obedience to his word.

Lets go into (Heb. 11: 1-2, 7, 17, 39, 40 (v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (v.2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. Now by the elder’s faith (belief) in God they obtained a good report. But how did theses elders show God that they had faith (belief) in him? Let’s take a look at some of them. (v.7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness, which is by faith. How did Noah prove to God that he had faith in him? By his works! Noah moved with faith and fear and began preparing the ark. (v.17) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Now here is the father of the faithful, and how did he show God the he had faith in him? By his works! The Lord God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son, his only son. And Abraham’s faith was so strong that he was seconds’ way from killing his only son when the angel of the Lord stopped him, now that’s truly fruits of faith. Let's skip down for time sake...But all of these people we just read about showed you fruits of faith they showed you works. (v.39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: They received a good report through faith. But how did they show their faith (belief) in God? By their works, and they all died with a good report having not received the promise. (v.40) God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Everybody that has a better resurrection coming will receive it at the same time. That’s why it says that they without us will not be made perfect. Who is perfect? God is perfect.

Let's go into 1 John 5: 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Ok, several thoughts come to mind here. Only God is perfect in the infinite, absolute sense. And yet He created man, as He did with all creation, with a purpose, a telos, a perfection proper to his nature. God created nothing to be a sinner, to be outside of His will. Sin intrinsically opposes His will even as He allows it now, for a time, for a season, for His purposes according to his wisdom. Man may live up to his created purpose or may fail, choosing evil over good, carrying on the family tradition initiated by Adam, remaining separated from God. But the very first step, for man, in becoming sinless, in becoming who he was created to be IOW, is to turn to God in faith. Faith pleases God immensely because it, itself, is an act of justice/righteousness, placing man back into a right state of being by virtue of the fact that faith is to acknowledge God as our God again. It’s a game-changer. And as long as we remain faithful, remaining in Him, we will only grow in the righteousness that is intrinsic to that relationship and therefore towards the perfection that He created us for. I appreciate a teaching that says that, from the big picture, God made His universe in a “state of journeying” to perfection. We just need to respond to His grace, getting on board and remaining with Him. He has big plans for man, bigger than merely shoving a portion of otherwise worthless wretches into heaven, and the rest into hell. It’s all to begin here, with faith.

 

[Clare73]

Are you agreeing with me here, or whats the point? As I said, man lacks the righeousness that he was created to have.

Did you not show that to be the righteousness given at salvation, which is the righteousness of Christ?

Man was created with the righteousness he was supposed to have. . .was that the righteousness of the divine Son of God?

1) Man was not created to be a sinner. God is not the author of sin.
2) Man was created with a justice/righeousness which depends on his nearness to God; he was made for communion with God. He cannot retain moral integrity; he will sin-and die- if alienated from Him. Jesus, in His human nature, possessd that union with God continously.
3) Adam broke that union ; he drew away from God, which is why we're all "born dead" now, in a state of spritual separation from God, not knowing Him.
3) Jesus, in the fullness of time, came to rectify this situation,, to reconcile man with God again. He reperesents and expresses all that God is, so that by knowing Him we may believe in, hope in, and, most importantly, love Him where man's bond with/nearness to God, and therefore his justice/righteousness, would be complete.

"He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Pet 1:20-21

 

[fhansen]

Man was created with the righteousness he was supposed to have. . .was that the righteousness of the divine Son of God?

Yes, it's the righteousness that man was created to have. Jesus, in His human nature, possessed it fully and perfectly and demonstrated that it was ultimately not impossible for man. Jesus always did the will of the Father. Adam possessed it but it was unapprecciatected, untested, until it was tested, at which point he failed and forfeited it by turning away from God and towards his own "righteousness", depending on himself rather than God for moral authority IOW. Everything man needed was given to him in Eden IOW, and as man would've drawn even closer to God he would have even more. As he draws away from God man only loses. That's the point. Jesus came not only to forgive unrighteousness but to restore righteousness, and raise us to even higher heights yet, to higher love as we're tranformed into the image of Gpod, to put it a better way. It begins now, as we turn back to God in faith, acknowledging Him as our God, as is the right and just order of things.

 

[Clare73]

Yes, it's the righteousness that man was created to have. Jesus, in His human nature, possessed it fully and perfectly and demonstrated that it was ultimately not impossible for man. Jesus always did the will of the Father.

The righteousness of Jesus was that of the divine Son of God. . .Adam was not divine.

Adam possessed it

There is no Biblical testimony that Adam's righteousness was divine, as was that of Jesus.

 

[fhansen]

The righteousness of Jesus was that of the divine Son of God. . .Adam was not divine.

Jesus is fully God and fully human. In His human nature there was no differnce between Himself and oursleves except for sin. But, remember, man was not created to sin. The gospel is not about about learning that only God is perfect while man is a sinner (and God suddenly now saying, "Time out, don't worry about sin anymore, you're just hopeless sinners forever anyway"), but that God created man to be sinless and yet man sins. Why? To the extent that man acheives the union with God that Jesus the man possessed continously, man will not sin either. To put it another way, to the extent that man loves God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength he will not sin. That day is coming for all believers. It begins now, with faith.

 

[Clare73]

Jesus is fully God and fully human. In His human nature there was no differnce between Himself and oursleves except for sin. But, remember, man was not created to sin. The gospel is not about about learning that only God is perfect while man is a sinner (and God suddenly now saying, "Time out, don't worry about sin anymore, you're just hopeless sinners forever anyway"), but that God created man to be sinless and yet man sins. Why? To the extent that man acheives the union with God that Jesus the man possessed continously, man will not sin either. To put it another way, to the extent that man loves God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength he will not sin. That day is coming for all believers. It begins now, with faith.

Jesus is one person. . .possessor of eternal life. . .which he gives to us. . .that author/possessor of eternal life likewise possesses divine righteousness in his sinless nature.

 

[fhansen]

Jesus is one person. . .possessor of eternal life. . .which he gives to us. . .that author/possessor of eternal life likewise possesses divine righteousness in his sinless nature.

Yes, he also gives us His rightouness as we unite with Him. That's a primary difference between the old and new covenants, which is why the new can accomplish in us what the old could not, the righteousness that the law and the prophets could only attest to. Man's own purpose and perfection are directly and intrinsically connected to him existing in a state of communion with God. That's why the first necessary step in his justifcation is reconciliation.

 

[Clare73]

Yes, he also gives us His rightouness as we unite with Him. That's a primary difference between the old and new covenants, which is why the new can accomplish in us what the old could not, the righteousness that the law and the prophets could only attest to. Man's own purpose and perfection are directly and intrinsically connected to him existing in a state of communion with God. That's why the first necessary step in his justifcation is reconciliation.

Justification and reconciliation are two different things, where you present reconciliation as the first step to (cause of) justification.

Biblically, justification (dikaiosis) is a sentence of acquittal of guilt, a declaration of rightwise standing with justice. . .time served.
That occurs at saving faith (Ro 32:8).

Reconciliation is about faith removing the condemnation (Ro 5:18) into which we are born,
thereby removing the barrier between God and the believer,
and reconciling the believer to God.

It seems the acquittal of guilt (it being the barrier) in justification must come before the reconciliation,
making reconciliation the result of justification, rather than its cause, as presented above.

So that would be "the first necessary step in his reconciliation is justification."

 

[fhansen]

Justification and reconciliation are two different things, where you present reconciliation as the first step to (cause of) justification.

Biblically, justification (dikaiois) is a sentence of acquittal of guilt, a declaration of rightwise standing with justice. . .time served.
That occurs at saving faith (Ro 32:8).

Reconciliation is about faith removing the condemnation (Ro 5:18) into which we are born,
thereby removing the barrier between God and the believer,
and reconciling the believer to God.

It seems the acquittal of guilt (it being the barrier) in justification must come before the reconciliation,
making reconciliation the result of justification, rather than its cause, as presented above.

I don't think they're separable. Justification is not about forgiveness, aquittal, or imputed/delcared righteousness only but necessarily involves righteousness given as well as we're now new creations, sons of God. When a man is reconciled with God, justice "happens", since union with Him is the basis or essence of justice for man, apart from which we're lost, dead, disordered, unjust.

 

[Clare73]

I don't think they're separable.

But you separated them.

Justification is not about forgiveness, aquittal, or imputed/delcared righteousness only

However, that is its meaning in the Greek (dikaiosis), and that is what governs.
It is a sentence (of acquittal of guilt) and a declaration (of rightwise standing with justice). . .time served, sentence paid.

There is rightwise (righteous) standing (acquitted) of justification (dikaiosis) and
there is standing of righteousness imputed (dikaiosune),
both being standings before God, neither being personally righteous (dikaios).

Personally righteous is imparted in the process of sanctification in the Christian life, through works of obedience in the Holy Spirit which lead to righteousness, leading to holiness (Ro 6:16, Ro 6:19).

but necessarily involves righteousness given as well as we're now new creations, sons of God.

To maintain that personal righteousness is given at justification is to allow the error that there is no need for personal sanctification in the Christian life, because we have already been given personal righteousness. . .an error which I have seen asserted on this forum, you being one of them on another thread.

 

[Bro.T]

Ok, several thoughts come to mind here. Only God is perfect in the infinite, absolute sense. And yet He created man, as He did with all creation, with a purpose, a telos, a perfection proper to his nature. God created nothing to be a sinner, to be outside of His will. Sin intrinsically opposes His will even as He allows it now, for a time, for a season, for His purposes according to his wisdom. Man may live up to his created purpose or may fail, choosing evil over good, carrying on the family tradition initiated by Adam, remaining separated from God. But the very first step, for man, in becoming sinless, in becoming who he was created to be IOW, is to turn to God in faith. Faith pleases God immensely because it, itself, is an act of justice/righteousness, placing man back into a right state of being by virtue of the fact that faith is to acknowledge God as our God again. It’s a game-changer. And as long as we remain faithful, remaining in Him, we will only grow in the righteousness that is intrinsic to that relationship and therefore towards the perfection that He created us for. I appreciate a teaching that says that, from the big picture, God made His universe in a “state of journeying” to perfection. We just need to respond to His grace, getting on board and remaining with Him. He has big plans for man, bigger than merely shoving a portion of otherwise worthless wretches into heaven, and the rest into hell. It’s all to begin here, with faith.

The bible speaks of only one way to get eternal salvation. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:5,6). A man asked Jesus this very question, "...What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?", and Jesus replied, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-19).

The commandments of God are not hard to keep (I John 5:3) and furthermore, they teach us love in the highest degree. If you love Jesus you will keep his commandments (St. John 14:15). You will not displease the Lord by: Worshipping other gods, having graven images, taking his name in vain, breaking his Sabbath day (which is Saturday not Sunday, according to the Bible), or dishonoring your parents. On the other hand, if you love your neighbor as yourself you will not kill him, commit adultery with his spouse, steal from him, falsely accuse him, or covet anything of his.

 

[fhansen]

The bible speaks of only one way to get eternal salvation. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:5,6). A man asked Jesus this very question, "...What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?", and Jesus replied, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-19).

The commandments of God are not hard to keep (I John 5:3) and furthermore, they teach us love in the highest degree. If you love Jesus you will keep his commandments (St. John 14:15). You will not displease the Lord by: Worshipping other gods, having graven images, taking his name in vain, breaking his Sabbath day (which is Saturday not Sunday, according to the Bible), or dishonoring your parents. On the other hand, if you love your neighbor as yourself you will not kill him, commit adultery with his spouse, steal from him, falsely accuse him, or covet anything of his.

I'm...thinking...we're agreeing then?? The most concise way that I've heard it taught: "At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love."

And He, is the Source, of that love. So: "Apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

 

[Bro.T]

I'm...thinking...we're agreeing then?? The most concise way that I've heard it taught: "At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love."

And He, is the Source, of that love. So: "Apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Well, love is the key, but let go and see what the Bible says we going to Judge by. Let's go into Revelation 20: 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

One book will have name written therein, and the other books are the Bible. We are going to be Judge according to our works. So it's very important to do the will of God and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus says in (Matt. 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. You are supposed to glorify your Father in heaven, and let your light shine before men. And how do you do that? By having good works.

 

[fhansen]

Well, love is the key, but let go and see what the Bible says we going to Judge by. Let's go into Revelation 20: 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

One book will have name written therein, and the other books are the Bible. We are going to be Judge according to our works. So it's very important to do the will of God and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus says in (Matt. 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. You are supposed to glorify your Father in heaven, and let your light shine before men. And how do you do that? By having good works.

And how do we have authentically good works, including obedience of the commandments? By our love, the love that does good for the other by its nature, the love that fulfills the law, the love wrought by God in us, Rom 5:5. I’d submit that love is the full-true definition of justice/righteousness. We’re obligated to fulfill the Ten Commandments, by fulfilling the greatest commandments. We’re obligated to love, even if that comes and grows over time in our walk with God.

 

[Bro.T]

And how do we have authentically good works, including obedience of the commandments? By our love, the love that does good for the other by its nature, the love that fulfills the law, the love wrought by God in us, Rom 5:5. I’d submit that love is the full-true definition of justice/righteousness. We’re obligated to fulfill the Ten Commandments, by fulfilling the greatest commandments. We’re obligated to love, even if that comes and grows over time in our walk with God.

Lets go into (James 2: (v.14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? (v.15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of a daily food, (v.16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? If someone came to you hungry and needed clothes and all you told them was peace be unto you, and God bless you, be ye warmed and filled. All you did was give lip service, no works, you didn’t help the problem.

(v.17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. The bible has been telling you all alone that you must have fruits to prove your faith. (v.18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. True faith goes hand in hand with good works. (v.20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? A person can have all the faith they want, but if you have no works to go along with that faith, that faith is in vain, that faith is dead. (v.21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? We read where Abraham, the father of the faithful showed the Lord his faith by his works. (v.22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Now keep in mind the love of God and faith are together with works. All of this have to work to together. Because you never know if we might go through a Job type situation or being chastening by the Lord. So if your love and faith is weak in the Lord, you will not make it through. Understand that you need works to go along with that faith; if you love and fear God then you should have no problem obeying his commandments. (v.25) Likewise also was not Ra’-hab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? Ra’-hab showed her faith in God and her fear of God by doing good works. (v.26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Take it or leave it, but this is the true uncut word of God. Just as the body is dead when you take away the spirit (breath) so faith is dead if you have no works.

 

[fhansen]

if you love and fear God then you should have no problem obeying his commandments.

Alright. And what I'm saying, tho, is that if we love God, and neighbor, we are fulfilling/obeying His commandments-already. And love works, by its nature, for the good of others. These aren't works of the law, and against love there is no law. We must work, as we must love.