I'm not looking to bash anyone, but...?

By Analyzing James 2:14-26

Notice that James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith, verses 14. He then immediately gives an example of what true and false faiths are. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17). Then he shows that that type of faith isn't much different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith by showing Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.

James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20).

This is why in the middle of his section on faith and works, he says in verse 19, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James says this because the demons believe in God, that is, they have faith, but the faith they have is useless. It does not result in appropriate works. Their faith is only a mental acknowledgment of God's existence.

Sorry I'm not a Born Again Christian, but I do know Martin Luther had some big problems with these passages and almost threw out the book of james. I believe Christians are now content saying that good works are a natural fruit of faith. So if you really believe you will automatically do good works.

The verse which is interesting to me is james 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Justified means to be pronounced clean. Seems to me that if we believe, or claim we believe, without doing anything, we won't be saved.

I don't understand the confusion or the issue you are having. When one is born again they do works, but it is not the means to salvation. Remember that Paul taught us that the good works that we do God prepared for us before hand.

If someone claims to be a Christian; yet, his way of living cannot be separated from the way the rest of the world lives, then his faith is dead.

Works do not save, they are a product of a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Read

Ephesians 2:8-10

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

And what about Abraham, Romans 4 adds a little light on to the topic.

Romans 4:13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,

15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Aahhh, you've just discovered Martin Luther's little secret.

Oh, how he wanted to remove this particular Epistle from Scripture. It certainly contradicts one of his main points, ie, Sola Fide (Faith alone), the other being Sola Scritura (Scripture alone), which is also a problem when Scritura flatly contradicts the message you're trying to get across.

Oh well, Protestants have by and large managed to ignore this Epistle for more than 400 years. They'll most likely go on doing so.

Faith and works go together.

Thats why most churches and religious organiztions are under fire.

They seem to spend thier riches on themselves.

James says basically, if you see someone who is hungry - it is not enough to bless him and send him on his way.

Sacrifice a little and give him food.

You can't say "I believe in God and the Bible." and then not put it into action.

Matthew 5:15

nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

It's simple. Good works will not get you into heaven. The only way to Christianity and heaven is true faith and salvation through accepting Jesus.

In a nutshell, we are saved, not BY works, but FOR works.

Once saved, by grace through faith, we are to endeavor to follow the teachings of Christ via emulation and not just sit on our hands in this justified state.

It says what it means and means what it says. No interpretation needed.

James 2:14-26 (King James Version)

King James Version (KJV)

14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18Yea, 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.

19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23And 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.

24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I wonder how many of them will show you another verse that says something contradictory, but will then deny that the bible has contradictions in it.

Do you agree or dis agree with what Jesus Said?

" Except you are born again , you SHALL NOT enter the kingdom of God"