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by Serai-K on March 22nd, 2006

Serai-K

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Do JWs believe it possible to earn salvation through works?

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  • by Texasescimo on January 25th, 2010

    Texasescimo

    (James 2:18-20) Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive?
    (James 2:26) Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

    Some might think that Eph 2:8,9 speaking about being saved by faith and not by works contradicts James 2:14-26 speaking about a man needing works along with his faith to be justified or saved. 2Tim 3:16 says All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Since they are both part of "All scripture" they must complement each other somehow.
    It looks like the most referenced scripture is Eph 2:8,9. I believe that Paul here is talking about "works of law" as he mentioned to the Galations Chap 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. and which he showed was abolished by the blood of the Christ". (Eph 2:13-15;Col 2:14;Rom 7:6) Titus 2:14 Heb 10:24 both talk about fine works, so Paul also showed that there are actions (works) needed for Christians. James 2:24-26 shows that you have to have works along with faith, and not faith alone. Verse 19 and 20 shows that more is required than to just believe and have faith. If you read the 11th chapter of Hebrews, you might notice that after defining faith, that there is a list of faithful men and the actions or works they did by their faith.
    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph2:8-10;James2:14-26;Eph2:13-15;Col2:14;Rom7:6;&version=49;47;9;16;77; /. /. / -/
    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit2:14;Heb10:24;James2:24-26;James2:19-20;2Tim3:16;&version=49;47;9;16;77;
    At Luke 6:46-49 Jesus gave the parable of "The wise and foolish builders" in response to people calling him Lord, Lord, but not doing what he says.(Also see Mat7:21-23) At Mathew 28:19,20 Jesus told us what works to do until the end of the age. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke6:46-49;%20mat7:21-23;Mat28:19-20;&version=49;47;9;16;77;
    James 1:22-25 & Romans 10:10 also show that actions are needed. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:22-25;Romans%2010:10;%20James%202:26&version=NASB;ESV;KJV;NKJV;HCSB

    I find it interesting that so many preachers preach for money and do not consider that "works", but when others preach for free, they tell their flocks that those are trying to "work" their way into heaven and quote Ephesians 2:8-9. Some Churches even have classes telling them that.

    James 2:14-26: 14 Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it? 17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
    18 Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive? 21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 You behold that [his] faith worked along with his works and by [his] works [his] faith was perfected, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.”
    24 YOU see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. 25 In the same manner was not also Ra′hab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26 Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

    Even alot of Christians that say all you got to do is have faith or just believe, think that they are suppossed to tell others the good news like Jesus said in Mt 28:19-20. Doing that among other things are what would be included in Eph 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works". And also why Jesus would have said at Luke 6:46 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" It is not works of the Mosaic law such as doing the "same sacrifices over and over", but doing the work that Jesus said to do. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2010:11,1;%20Heb%207:18,27;&version=AMP;ESV;NIV;NASB;NLT;

    (James 2:18) Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.
    (Gal 2:16) knowing as we do that a man is declared righteous, not due to works of law, but only through faith toward Christ Jesus, even we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be declared righteous due to faith toward Christ, and not due to works of law, because due to works of law no flesh will be declared righteous
    (Eph 2:10) For we are a product of his work and were created in union with Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to walk in them
    (Gal 3:10) For all those who depend upon works of law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is every one that does not continue in all the things written in the scroll of the Law in order to do them.
    (Galatians 2:14) But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Ce′phas before them all: “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?”
    (Colossians 1:10) in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing [him] as YOU go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God,



    Look up the scriptures cited by all the fine people who took the time to reply to this question along with these and see what you think.

    Comments

    • Paul saw the need to do what Jesus said and still understood that that he was saved by grace, not by works.
      2 Tim 1:9-11 (NASB) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
      Ephesians 3:7-8 (NASB) of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
      1 Cor 3:8-9 (NASB) Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own[a]reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s [b]field, God’sbuilding.
      1 Cor 9:16-18 (NASB) For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
      (1 Timothy 4:16) Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

      Texasescimo

      by Texasescimo on March 6th, 2012

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