Eastxn
Member
Here's what I mean,
Paul says;
Ephesians 2:8.-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast".
Romans 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
However James says;
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:24 "You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
So we have a contradiction in the bible. Or do we? The average athiest would say "these cannot both be true" but that's only half right. They cannot both be true for the same person. We have to remember that these are God's words, not Paul's words and not James's words. God cannot lie and He cannot contradict Himself...so
Paul is speaking to the Christian Church, made up of the body of Christ. He says so in several places.
James however, is talking to jews...... James 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." Now since we know that in the Christian Church there is "neither jew nor gentile, for all are one in Christ" and the entire book of James makes several references to "my brethren in these last days" it becomes apparent that James is speaking to jews during the tribulation. Works will be required because people will have to resist taking the mark of the beast and will have to treat the brethren justly.
Some people like to make a big deal out of "whoever endures to the end will be saved." Well during the tribulation that will definitely be the case but not today during the church age.
Paul says;
Ephesians 2:8.-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast".
Romans 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
However James says;
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:24 "You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
So we have a contradiction in the bible. Or do we? The average athiest would say "these cannot both be true" but that's only half right. They cannot both be true for the same person. We have to remember that these are God's words, not Paul's words and not James's words. God cannot lie and He cannot contradict Himself...so
Paul is speaking to the Christian Church, made up of the body of Christ. He says so in several places.
James however, is talking to jews...... James 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." Now since we know that in the Christian Church there is "neither jew nor gentile, for all are one in Christ" and the entire book of James makes several references to "my brethren in these last days" it becomes apparent that James is speaking to jews during the tribulation. Works will be required because people will have to resist taking the mark of the beast and will have to treat the brethren justly.
Some people like to make a big deal out of "whoever endures to the end will be saved." Well during the tribulation that will definitely be the case but not today during the church age.
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