What did James mean when he wrote:"Faith wothout works is dead"? (page 2)

The Berean

Follow up question: Is it possible that in the minds of modern JWs who allow a child to die for the lack of a blood transfusion, that they believe they are following the example of Abraham and are thus performing works?

journey-on

Berean, I think they do believe that. Allowing their child to die (passive works) "proves" their faith in their mind. It is so strong they would sacrifice this life in the here and now for a perceived promise of another better one in the future. Faith comes from a place of total certainty of something not beheld but hoped for. But, JWs fail to realize that human sacrifice is not a requirment. I currently lean toward the belief that you simply live your life in love and light and have faith that His will (evolution toward perfection) is being accomplished.

mouthy

John 6: 29 says, The work of God is this, to believe in the one HE sent
Who was that one?????? JESUS...

dinah

So, if you can shun and cut love off like a faucet......I'd say you aren't following your "lord and savior". Nevermind, the Witnesses follow the GB who took His place.

mouthy

I also like 2nd Cor 13: 5 "Examine yourselves to see weather you are in the faith
,TEST YOURSELVES(not the wt test you).Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is IN you-
unless ,of course,you fail the test"

Off topic I know but you know me.,

Finally-Free

15 A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. 16 If you say to that person, "God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat," but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing.

This says it all, and is sufficient to condemn Jehovahs Witnesses better than I ever could. I've never seen any group turn against its own in times of trouble like I've seen JWs do it.

W

JosephMalik

Narkissos,

You were right on the mark with this one. The letter was not written in vacuum as some think but was written specifically to correct what was a major problem for James and Christian Jews following him. Faith for James inspired works that were a problem that he now corrected, at least in a way that a once proud man could humble himself. He was crushed because he also once was: James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. His letter was like the one Jude wrote who did much the same. Works, works, works, what are they? At one time they were works of Law for James who was adamant and worked hard to get others including Paul to keep them. Now James no longer kept the Law and was telling his brother Jews around the world most of which knew his prior ways: 1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." After a brief and pointed introduction: 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Wow, what a change of attitude and doctrine as well when you get right down to it. Now James is on Paul’s side. The works now were no longer keeping the Law as before but were as you stated: "The church should stand out against "the world" from this perspective, in its attitude toward the poor and helpless: see 1:22--2:13." Faith inspired works of Law for James at one time now morphed into Faith required: mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; that were discussed by Paul in Collosians chapter 3. Such works are personal in nature and have nothing to do with serving an organization of laws that requires specific duties as proof of obedience to them. That is what James did in the past but no more.

Joseph

JosephMalik

Sorry for the double post. Having Computer problems that must have come down with upgrades. Clipboard access is causing problems in both new Vista and older XP machines. Just noticed it recently.

Joseph

Deputy Dog

The Berean

What are "works"?

There is no question that the book of James teaches that works follow faith. I would say that they would include the fruit of the Spirit. The problem is when people imply that their works are meritorious make them righteous before God. This is not living by faith.

James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

The object of our faith is to be in the finished "works" of Christ, not in our own works or not just in the existence of God. It is faith in Christ's works that produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

James 1:25
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Follow up question: Is it possible that in the minds of modern JWs who allow a child to die for the lack of a blood transfusion, that they believe they are following the example of Abraham and are thus performing works?

You hit the nail on the head. This question gets to the root of this discussion. The JWs, like most, think that they need to show God their faith. But that's not the message of James. God knows who has faith and who does not. Your faith in Christ's works should reveal God's love to others.

Abraham's faith was in the fact that God would provide a sacrifice. The JW who thinks that God would be happy with the sacrifice of their child, does not show faith in Christ's sacrifice (work). It means that they doubt the sufficiency of that work.

Chalam

Hello Reniaa,

good example and one we agree on :)

Many thanks :)

What is your understanding of verse 26 BTW?

26 Just as a person's body that does not have a spirit is dead

I find the following...

1. A person's spirit is more important that the body.

2. A person's body is dead because it's spirit has left.

3. A question is raised as to the state and function of the spirit outside the body?

It would seem to be in a different state of the dead body, otherwise, why not just "die" with the body?

All the best,

Stephen

What did James mean when he wrote:"Faith wothout works is dead"?

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