Goodboy
Just waiting for the Rapture at this point!
The Book of James
Objective of The Book of James:
To stir up the Church into action. This message was not a message on salvation, but a message to stir up “saved” brothers and sisters in the faith, into action. However, James does use examples of what is required for salvation, as he states it, “faith and works”.
A better understanding of what James means by “Faith and Works”:
Most New Testament believers have simplified salvation into one act called faith. Although most would agree it is actually two acts, if it was properly explained to them. To help us understand the two acts required in the “new covenant”, we must use two different words. Lets substitute the word “faith” with the word “belief”. Lets then substitute the word “works” with the word “acceptance”.
Now let’s ask the question of most believers, do you need to “believe” and “accept” in order to be saved? Or is belief alone enough? Most believers would strongly agree that you must both “believe” and “accept”. Well acceptance is the new covenant “work” that is required.
(John 6:28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
(John 6:29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Here are the two statements changing the words as described above.
“Faith” without “Works” is dead.
“Belief” without “Acceptance” is worthless.
In the old covenant “Works” demonstrated “Acceptance”.
In the new covenant “Acceptance is counted as “Works”.
As and example:
I have a friend that believed (as many other unsaved people do) in God and believed that Christ died for his sins a year ago.
This friend accepted Christ as his savior a month ago, thus saving him. The action of “acceptance” is actually a “work”.
Paul states in Romans 10:9 that you must “Believe in thine heart” (Faith/Belief) “and confess with thy mouth” (Works/Acceptance) in order to be saved.
Whether you believe this interpretation is correct or not. Just pretend it is correct, then re-read the book of James. I believe you will see that this explanation will allow the book of James to agree with all the other books in the bible, which tell us we are saved by “Grace”.
Goodboy
Objective of The Book of James:
To stir up the Church into action. This message was not a message on salvation, but a message to stir up “saved” brothers and sisters in the faith, into action. However, James does use examples of what is required for salvation, as he states it, “faith and works”.
A better understanding of what James means by “Faith and Works”:
Most New Testament believers have simplified salvation into one act called faith. Although most would agree it is actually two acts, if it was properly explained to them. To help us understand the two acts required in the “new covenant”, we must use two different words. Lets substitute the word “faith” with the word “belief”. Lets then substitute the word “works” with the word “acceptance”.
Now let’s ask the question of most believers, do you need to “believe” and “accept” in order to be saved? Or is belief alone enough? Most believers would strongly agree that you must both “believe” and “accept”. Well acceptance is the new covenant “work” that is required.
(John 6:28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
(John 6:29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Here are the two statements changing the words as described above.
“Faith” without “Works” is dead.
“Belief” without “Acceptance” is worthless.
In the old covenant “Works” demonstrated “Acceptance”.
In the new covenant “Acceptance is counted as “Works”.
As and example:
I have a friend that believed (as many other unsaved people do) in God and believed that Christ died for his sins a year ago.
This friend accepted Christ as his savior a month ago, thus saving him. The action of “acceptance” is actually a “work”.
Paul states in Romans 10:9 that you must “Believe in thine heart” (Faith/Belief) “and confess with thy mouth” (Works/Acceptance) in order to be saved.
Whether you believe this interpretation is correct or not. Just pretend it is correct, then re-read the book of James. I believe you will see that this explanation will allow the book of James to agree with all the other books in the bible, which tell us we are saved by “Grace”.
Goodboy
