• Soteriology Lesson 54 - Faith Without Works is Dead Part 2

  • Jul 7 2024
  • Duración: 1 h y 1 m
  • Podcast

Soteriology Lesson 54 - Faith Without Works is Dead Part 2 Por arte de portada

Soteriology Lesson 54 - Faith Without Works is Dead Part 2

Escúchala gratis

Ver detalles del espectáculo

  • Resumen

  • Exposition of James 2:14-26 (Full Notes Here) James wrote, “What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (Jam 2:14). The question demands a negative answer. No. An inactive and useless faith cannot save the Christian. Here, salvation is deliverance from divine discipline (Heb 12:6), which can be severe (1 Cor 11:30), and eventuate in physical death (Jam 5:20; 1 John 5:16), and loss of reward at the bema seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:10-15). As Christians, “we will all appear before the judgment seat of God…and each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:10, 12), for “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). To be a Christian without good works is to have a useless faith, which will bring God’s discipline. Earl Radmacher states, “Saved (Gk. sōzō) is used five times in James (Jam 1:21; 2:14; 4:12, 5:15; 5:20). Each time it refers to the saving of the temporal life…In this context James is referring to being ‘saved’ from the judgment without mercy at the judgment seat of Christ (Jam 2:13) and possibly the saving of one’s life from physical death (Jam 1:21).”[1] Thomas Constable adds, “Orthodox faith without good works cannot protect the Christian from sin’s deadly consequences in this life (Jam 5:20; 1 John 5:16). That faith cannot save him from God’s discipline of him as a believer. Good works in addition to faith are necessary for that kind of deliverance (salvation).”[2] James provided a good example of useless faith, asking, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (Jam 2:15-16). Kind words uttered by one Christian to another are useless to help the brother or sister who needs food and clothing (cf., 1 John 3:17). James said, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (Jam 2:17). For James, a dead faith is a useless faith. Throughout Scripture, death means separation, not cessation or non-existence.[3] In James’ letter, a dead faith is one that is separated from the good works God expects from His people. And when faith does not produce good works, it stagnates spiritual growth in the Christian and becomes useless to others. For James, the matter is not one of true faith versus false faith, but faith that is accompanied by good works versus a faith without works.[4] Charles Bing correctly notes: "James is not concerned with the reality of his readers’ faith, but the quality (Jam 1:3, 6; 2:1; 5:15) and usefulness (Jam 1:12, 26; 2:14, 16, 20) of their faith. James is not saying faith will manifest itself in works, but that without works, faith is useless or unprofitable in this life and the next. James’ main concern is that his readers become “doers of the word” (Jam 1:22) which is the same as being a “doer of the work” who will “be blessed in what he does” (Jam 1:25). For example, faith that perseveres in trials earns a reward from God (Jam 1:3-12), and faith that is merciful to others receives God’s mercy at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Jam 2:8-13). But faith that does not work is useless towards these blessings and useless in helping others (Jam 1:26; 2:20). The word “dead” should therefore be understood as useless or unprofitable rather than non-existent. It is used this way in everyday speech: the battery is dead; the body is dead; the project is dead. What we mean is not that these things do not exist, but that they are not vitalized so as to be useful."[5] James then introduces an imaginary objector in the next two verses (Jam 2:18-19). He begins by saying, “But someone may well say…” (Jam 2:18a). James then presents the objector’s argument: “…You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (Jam 2:18b). The “someone” here refers to anyone within proximity to the Christian who claims to have faith. The word “show” translates the Greek word deiknumi (δείκνυμι), which, according to BDAG, means “to exhibit something that can be apprehended by one or more of the senses, point out, show, make known.”[6] For example, when Jesus healed a man of leprosy, He told him, “go, show yourself to the priest” (Matt 8:4). This meant others could visibly see what was presented. This is helpful, for faith by itself is not visible to others, but only to God and the person who holds it. Faith becomes observable to others when it is put into action. James then states, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (Jam 2:19). James is ...
    Más Menos
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT
Ciencias Sociales Ministerio y Evangelismo Espiritualidad
Más Menos

Lo que los oyentes dicen sobre Soteriology Lesson 54 - Faith Without Works is Dead Part 2

Calificaciones medias de los clientes

Reseñas - Selecciona las pestañas a continuación para cambiar el origen de las reseñas.

Reseñas de Audible.com

Opiniones de Amazon
No hay comentarios disponibles