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Romans 3:28 KJVS
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
A man is justified, saved only by faith, Paul made a bold statement on this verse, he said "we conclude", there's certainly no other explanation to this, no other shortcut, no other way to get it done except by faith.
This means you are not saved by works or deeds of the law, that is you didn't receive the life of God because you obeyed some set of rules, if it has been possible, there won't be a need for Jesus to come make a way that is only accessible by faith alone.
The law has existed for so long, but it still failed to make men righteous.
Romans 3:20 KJVS
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.
The scripture likens the so called righteousness it gives filthy rag:
Isaiah 64:6 KJVS
But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
No wonder Jesus instructed us to go for another righteousness not the one of the Pharisees.
Matthew 5:20 KJVS
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This is Pharisees righteousness
Philippians 3:9 KJVS
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
And according to vs 5, he was a Pharisee.
But now we have been made righteous by faith alone.
Romans 3:21-22 KJVS
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[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:
So, back to the question, IS FAITH WITHOUT WORK DEAD ?
ABSOLUTELY NO
James 2:20 KJVS
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Yesterday, without any contradiction, we know assuredly that faith without work is how we are saved, justified, this is not a gainsaying, we've clearly seen it in the scriptures.
But looking at what James said we can quickly think that what we have said yesterday is false, but being calm and reading contextually we will understand that there's no contradiction in the scriptures.
This narrative by apostle James started from vs 14 basically but reading from the beginning of chapter 2 will help a lot..
If you read from vs 1-13, you will notice that James was talking about our conducts as Christians to others, urging us not to be partial, that we should love everyone etc.
In this understanding he continues vs 14,
James 2:14 KJVS
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
One thing to first note is that he was making reference to a believer, someone saved, someone that has faith already and has been saved by it,
He then ask that "can faith save him? "
This will be so ironical if that "him" still talks about a believer that is already saved by faith,
This "him" actually signify "others" in the Greek lexicon, that is, it is also used for third party, and looking at what James was saying from vs 1, our conducts to others, this "him" is actually in relation to others, James was talking about our conducts to others,
So the right way to put this to understand it better is "can faith alone help others" that is, boasting about our faith without living it out to others.
And to back this up, the verses that followed vs 14 explains it more clearly.
James 2:15-16 KJVS
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And 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?
And vs 17 now sums it up
James 2:17 KJVS
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
That's is, you are saved by faith, you have it already, done deal. But in relating to others, our conducts among men, this faith in us ought to bring out fruit, it ought to be seen in works of faith to others
And if a believer refuses to allow faith have its perfect work through us, James says that it is "dead", that is non responsive, dormant, not been make use of and it doesn't In any way Mean you don't have faith or faith is gone.
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We are saved by faith, without any addition of works, we are also justified, became sons of God, sanctified by faith. But James has clearly made us know that all this must produce fruits in us among others, our faith must bring out what is called works of faith, we are not saved by them but they are necessary for a good Christian living.
Continuing from vs 18,
James clears this more by explaining to us that his faith is been manifested through the fruits it brings, that's the right combination.
So, we can easily understand that in vs 20, James was just explaining to us how it is not good enough to boast of faith that is producing no fruit, in fact he says "o vain man", talking to someone that is not living by this standard,
So we are expected to bring out fruits of faith, the spirit works in us and through us and our willingness will bring forth this fruits which is unto the glory God.
An example was made in vs21
Abraham was said to have worked, but the verse quoted was Genesis 22:9, this was after God has already justified him by faith alone in Genesis 15
Genesis 15:6 KJVS
And he believed in the Lord ; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
So, we can see the works was as a result of the already established faith.
Also Rahab, vs25
Rahab did good works in Joshua 2:6ff
But this was as a result of an already established faith in God as reported in vs11
Joshua 2:11 KJVS
And as soon as we had heard these things , our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
no wonder she was in the FAITH hall of fame in Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11:31 KJVS
BY FAITH the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
So, with all this explanation, we can see vividly that faith is the only way to be saved but it has something called fruits of faith, works of faith
2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJVS
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
This works of faith didn't save us, all our works before were DEAD WORKS. but now we are saved by faith and we do FAITH WORKS amongst others, we naturally bring them out not because we want to escape condemnation but because that's who we are, faith beings.
So, faith without works saved us
And we bring out faith works as we live and dwell among men to the glory of God.
Good morning