Posted by cruiser on August 12, 2008 at 11:35:09:
In Reply to: There is NO contradiction between Paul and James posted by Ifopo on August 11, 2008 at 19:41:13:
James teaches that it was Abraham's works he was justified before God
and Paul teaches it was Abraham's faith (believe) that made Abraham
righteous before God not works.
James teaches it is by works is ones faith made whole but Paul teaches
it's faith and Christ makes ones faith whole.
Let me post them for you.
James teaching.
James 2 (17 - 26)
Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being
alone.
Jam 2:18 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.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest
well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without
works is dead?
Jam 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when
he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jam 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by
works was faith made perfect?
Jam 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham
believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he
was called the Friend of God.
Jam 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and
not by faith only.
Jam 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by
works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them]
out another way?
Jam 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also.
Paul's teaching
Romans 3 (19 - 31)
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith,
it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be
stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh
be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 ¶ But now the righteousness of God without the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of
Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no
difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation
through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness:
that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 ¶ Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law?
of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law.
Rom 3:29 [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of
the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Rom 3:30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the
circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 4 (1 - 8)
Rom 4:1 ¶ What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as
pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof]
to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and
it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 ¶ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the
man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute
sin.
Again, you still want to live by keeping the old covenant, the law of
works (commandments given to moses) of fleshly works (deeds) christ
fulfilled (made void) already in order to provide a more perfect
covenant, the law of faith.
Paul said it best "Now to him (you and law keepers) that worketh is the
reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt (payment of sin is death).
But to him that worketh not, but believeth (to faith) on him (christ-
blood, works and faith) that justifieth the ungodly (man), his faith is
counted for righteous.
Man is not saved by works of the law but by the Grace of God by the,
FW said best, blood, works and faith of Christ.