You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:24-26)
Does Faith Alone Save Us?
The doctrine of salvation is the most important question that must be answered according to the divine will of the Father, or eternal consequences will follow. There is nothing more pressing in the scheme of redemption than to know and understand what a man must do to be saved. A good Bible student will recognize that Satan has no desire for the world to know the real answer to what to do to be saved, and he has been very effective in his deceptions. One of the greatest lies he has told is to convince religious people that they are saved by faith alone. This lie is not new. The devil convinced Israel that they could follow after idolatry and God would still save them because they were the seed of Abraham. Satan lied, and God destroyed Israel.
There are many different denominations among the Protestant churches. Most follow some form of Calvinism, especially the idea that salvation comes by faith alone. The “Health & Wealth” religion of today touts a poisonous blend of the Bible with the cowardly doctrines of salvation through goodness and grace that convince thousands they are saved; when in the eyes of God, they are not. To believe that all a person has to do to be saved is believe in Jesus Christ is the most destructive and vile doctrine of the religious world. The reason is simple: the Bible does not teach the doctrine of salvation by faith only.
James was not addressing doctrinal issues, but the principles he employed to exhort brethren to care for one another are applicable. He writes that faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Believing Jesus is the Christ does not bring salvation because Satan believes that, and his demons believe, and they tremble! James declares that faith without works is dead. If a man thinks he is saved by faith alone, he is seeking to be saved by a dead faith – which cannot happen. Dead faith is dead. Abraham is an example of faith and works. God tested the patriarch, telling him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham did not reply to God that he had faith, so why take the journey? Faith moved Abraham to act upon his belief in God, and he offered Isaac on the altar. Faith required works!
Rahab, a prostitute of the city of Jericho, was justified by works when she protected the spies sent into the city by Joshua. She believed the Hebrews served the one true God, and Rahab acted upon her faith. God did not save her by faith alone. No one has ever been saved by faith alone. The plain teaching of scripture, the divine will of God, the word of God, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares that faith without works is as dead as the body without the spirit. James never discounts the need for love, mercy, and grace, and religious people who discount salvation by faith and works will not be saved. They will die joyously, longing to see Jesus face to face and realize too late they are eternally lost. Salvation by faith only is a lie. Stop listening to the whispers of the devil. Read the Bible. Tell anyone who preaches or teaches faith only that they are telling a lie. Stand for truth.
The Heaton File 
Where else has it been mentioned that faith without works is dead? We have all signed and fall short of God’s glory. Nothing can a man do to justify salvation which is by grace. After salvation comes fruit of the spirit. If you say you have faith and no fruits of the spirit then your faith is dead. It is in this understanding, that faith without works is dead that James was talking about.
Stop preaching to people that the works they do justify them of salvation. I really don’t need to quote the scriptures. Since you have read your own Bible so well. Seek wisdom but with it seek understanding. Scripture must be explained for people to understand. There is no reason really for cursing anybody. Whichever divide you may belong to either Apologetics or Polemics. Understanding is key. God bless you richly and the work you do. I remember someone word which says I know that there is a zeal for God but that zeal is not according to knowledge.
Shalom.
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Thank you for your comment.
I see you agree that James teaches a man is justified by works and not by faith only (James 2:24) because you asked, “Where else has it been mentioned that faith without works is dead?” The first rule of Bible study is to accept what the scriptures say, and believing that works do not justify a man to salvation denies what is plainly stated in James 2. Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God, and we are sinners.
You said, “Nothing can a man do to justify salvation which is by grace.” Is this what James is teaching? Does not James say that Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar” (James 2:21)? Your conclusion is not what James 2:21 says.
“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works” (James 2:25). I am mystified how you can deny what is declared by the Holy Spirit.
You asked where else in scripture it mentions that faith without works is dead. The teaching of justification by works is throughout scripture, but let’s assume James is the only place in the Bible that teaches this (of course, it is not). Let’s pretend no other scripture discusses that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Do we ignore that passage? Can an argument be established that says since it is only mentioned once in scripture, it is not the word of God?
Read Acts 20:35 – “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
So we are to ignore what Jesus said although this quote is found nowhere else in scripture? It’s only found once in the Bible. According to your theology, we must reject the words of Jesus.
Does faith save a man only, or belief only? Did you know that belief is a work?
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29) According to Jesus, believing in Him is a work.
Does grace save us? YES – Ephesians 2.
We are saved by:
Mercy – Titus 3:5
Love – John 3:16
The life of Jesus – Romans 5:10
The death of Jesus – Romans 5:10
The blood of Jesus – Romans 5:9
The resurrection of Jesus – 1 Peter 3:21
The gospel – 1 Corinthians 15:2; Romans 1:16
The words of the gospel – James 1:21; Acts 11:14
The preaching of the gospel – 1 Corinthians 1:21
Ourselves – Acts 2:40
Hearing – John 6:45
Faith – Romans 5:1
Repentance – Luke 13:3
Confession – Romans 10:9
Obedience – Hebrews 5:9
Water – 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:5
Baptism – Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
Hope – Romans 8:24
So you see, we are not saved by ONE thing. All of these are necessary and commanded. That includes works.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
Blessings.
kent
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