Tuesday, September 15, 2015

(09/15/2015) Saved by Faith and Works?

Scripture points are shared, today, on faith, divine law, love, the righteousness of Christ, and our salvation.  The fighter at “Yahoo! 7 Answers” (Australia) using the ID “oscar youre a grouch” (Level 1 with 51 points, a member since January 20, 2015) posted the following:


When James says in the bible that we are saved by faith and works, what type of works is he talking about?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you:  for him hath God the Father sealed.  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.  They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.  (John 6:  24-33, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Ordinance of Humility? (08/12/2015); Mercy Not Sacrifice? (08/10/2015); A Price for Religious Liberty? (06/30/2015); The Law is Not Grievous (06/26/2015); Making Sin Appear as Sinful? (06/07/2015); Done in Faith? (03/06/2014);  Deferring Judgment? (03/07/2014)


“oscar youre a grouch”, here’s a reply to your question that may seem unfamiliar because it focuses upon the elements for right relationship with Deity.  Created beings and living creatures are “known” to divinity and recognized on the basis of their spirit content from the makeup of GOD, and the peculiar operations of their self-will that carryout divine process, eternal purpose, and sacred practice (e.g., praise, prayer, sacrifice, stewardship, worship).  Through Jesus Christ, believers are to receive a fresh endowment of the imparted Spirit (we say, breath, essence, word) from GOD that was provided to Adam (the male and female).  Intimate relationship as spokespersons (we say, prophets), or the children and heirs of GOD are established only as the living contain such inseparable aspects of divinity as faith, holiness, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  In  addition to avoiding all the works prohibited in the Ten Commandments, Christian believers are to perform all the works commanded throughout the Scriptures that exalt divinity, and that express the same love to ones neighbor they are willing to show themselves.  Works are to be carried out that demonstrate the righteousness of the law, that express continuing commitment to Jesus Christ as ones redeemer and savior, and that manifest the spirit of Truth (also called the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy).  The principles, process, and spirit of divine law are to be exalted as much as the formal letter of the law.  Consider again the following verses from the Bible:

(1.)  Mark 12:  29-31, King James Version (KJV):  29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.  31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

(2.)  Romans 13:  8-10, KJV:  8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:  for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:  therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

(3.)  Galatians 2:  16, KJV:  16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

(4.)  James 2:  21-26, KJV:  21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  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.  24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

(5.)  Titus 3:  3-6, KJV:  3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

(6.)  Psalms 145: 17, KJV:  17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (7.)  Romans 5:  20-21, KJV:  20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.).  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

No comments:

Post a Comment