James 2: 14-26

I have had so many discussions about this and the whole Saved by Faith and Works discussion. The big opposing verse is in Galatians 2:16 "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." My personal thoughts are who was the audience: One group he was speaking to were believers that were not being productive in their faith and I see him saying "How can you have faith and no works they go hand in hand, faith without works is dead." that was Zac's paraphrase. The second group he was speaking to would not have necessarily been believers but devout Jews who stood on their "Works" more than anything else. With that said, I like the song where it says "ALL OF LIFE COMES DOWN TO JUST ONE THING AND THAT IS TO KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN" I always thought these guys were weird because they said one thing and then mentioned two. The reality is that we can't know Christ without the desire to share him. I believe works do not come from us they come from Christ who changes us. I will throw my thoughts out there though, We are saved by Faith and Faith alone, works will come out of a relationship with Christ.

James 2: 14-26

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness--and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.