What's the use of faith alone?

[Clare73]

If you have faith and it is alone what is the use of it?

You don't know?

Security. . .

 

[timothyu]

Security. . .

As in the servant who buried the money to keep it safe?

 

[fhansen]

Define "faith". "Faith" in what?
What Paul calls "faith" and what James calls "faith" are two different things.
Paul obvioulsy refers to faith in Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins.
James, in chapter 2, verse 19, is referring to faith in God's existence: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” That faith of course falls short of saving faith.

As for Martin Luther wanting to bin the book of James, maybe he should've done so as it is erroneously taken by some to contradict Paul.

Both Paul and James believed the same, which is why Paul could use Abraham as our model of faith. Peter as well:
"Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

It's actually all about faith in the true God whom God the Son came to reveal. This faith is the realization within us of the reconciliation of the rift between man and God that resulted from the Fall.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

If you have faith and it is alone what is the use of it?

It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.(Jn 6:45)​

If someone is taught by God to go to Jesus for salvation, and they go to Him for salvation as a result, does their faith stand alone?

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Here's another question...

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”​

​

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Ro 10:13–15)​

Let's say God sends out preachers to preach the gospel. The gospel reaches a lost sinner. That lost sinner believes on Jesus and calls on Him for salvation. Then Jesus saves him.

Does that lost sinner's faith stand alone?

 

[Clare73]

Both Paul and James believed the same, which is why Paul could use Abraham as our model of faith. Peter as well:
"Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

It's actually all about faith in the true God whom God the Son came to reveal. This faith is the realization within us of the reconciliation of the rift between man and God that resulted from the Fall.

Who is "Him"?

It's actually all about saving faith in "Him," Jesus Christ.

"It's all about faith in the true God" for Orthodox Jews, but they are not saved.

 

[fhansen]

Who is "Him"?

"your faith and hope are in God."

 

[Clare73]

"your faith and hope are in God."

"Through Him you believe in God,

Who is Him"?

My faith is likewise in "Him" whose atoning work remits my sin (Ro 1:17, 3:22, 4:13, 10:6, Gal 2:16, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7).

I hope your faith is in Him also, without which there is no remission of your sin. . .

 

[fhansen]

My faith is also in the person and atoning work of Jesus Christ for the remission of my sin (Ro 1:17, 3:22, 4:13, 10:6, Gal 2:16, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7).

I hope yours is also. . .

Most of those quotes are about faith in God in general, and even when they're referring specifically to Jesus, they’re still referring to faith in God-because Jesus is God. And that’s the point.

The whole purpose of Christ’s coming was to get man to return to God-to reconcile and restore that vital relationship that man spurned in Eden, resulting in his death, that vital relationship that man needs in order to live. So faith is broader than just believing in some certain acid-test truths regarding Jesus. Jesus is the express image of God. Everything Jesus said and did reflects and reveals the nature and will of God. So to see Jesus is to see God, to know Jesus is to know God, to believe in, hope in, and love Jesus is to believe in, hope in, and love God. And that relationship: to know, believe in, hope in, and, most importantly, to love God is the essence and basis of man’s righteousness. But faith is the doorway, the basis of that life-giving relationship. So;

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3