(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
JAMES CHAPTER 2: DEAD FAITH, CHRISTIAN CLASS WARFARE, CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL SNOBBERY
This chapter is about persecution, patience, temptations, wisdom, walking, our temporary riches, God's Generosity to us, a command to do the work of the LORD, watch your tongue, know and discern between true and false religion. Today in America, we have people who get saved, go right back into the world, indistinguishable from the world. What a person is can easily be revealed when they have to go through tribulation, testing. It comes out. Once we are saved, we then must demonstrate before man that we have a changed life and are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), not God. No one can show God anything, as He sees all, knows all, created all,
(Hebrews 4:13 [KJV 1611])
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked, and opened vnto the eyes of him with whome wee haue to doe.
(Hebrews 4:13 [KJV 1611])
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked, and opened vnto the eyes of him with whome wee haue to doe.
(James 2:1-4 [AKJV/PCE])
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Welcome to America, with suits, ties given prominence; and car mechanics, farmers, ranchers janitors, street sweepers, garbage men, straight off of work, all entering the sa,e assembly
There is nothing wrong with dressing up; there is something wrong with thinking it makes one more spiritual, closer to God, etc
The issue os not the clothing, it is a heart issue of those who look differently on that clothing
Especially so when standing before a congregation, just so long as it does not draw any attention to oneself
Modesty should be the order of the day, especially for women; formality is what he Pharisees and Saduccees did, and were upbraided, chastised for it
Jesus, Peter, James, John would have all worn fishy, smelly tunics, probably every place they went
Do what they did and be yourself, just be presentable, not overly formal: it is not a wedding, a funeral, not just about an oration, it is fellowship
As they say in America, sadly, "money talks". It should not, in the church
Too often also, those who are known to give more are more honored, prominent, etc.
This is utter evil, wickedness, flagrant sin
Money is not the issue; the attitude about it is, as it is not appropriate to favor those who have it and ignore those who do not
(Leviticus 19:15 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
(1 Corinthians 2:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(Matthew 23:5 [AKJV/PCE])
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
(Mark 12:38 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
(Luke 20:46 [AKJV/PCE])
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
OF GLORY
(1 Samuel 2:8 [AKJV/PCE])
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
(Psalms 24:7 [AKJV/PCE])
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
(Psalms 24:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
(Psalms 24:9 [AKJV/PCE])
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
(Psalms 24:10 [AKJV/PCE])
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
(Psalms 29:3 [AKJV/PCE])
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
(Proverbs 4:9 [AKJV/PCE])
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
(Proverbs 16:31 [AKJV/PCE])
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
(Isaiah 28:5 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
(Isaiah 62:3 [AKJV/PCE])
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
(Acts 7:2 [AKJV/PCE])
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
(1 Corinthians 2:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(2 Corinthians 4:17 [AKJV/PCE])
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(Ephesians 1:17 [AKJV/PCE])
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
(Colossians 1:27 [AKJV/PCE])
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(Hebrews 9:5 [AKJV/PCE])
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
(James 2:1 [AKJV/PCE])
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
(1 Peter 1:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
(1 Peter 4:14 [AKJV/PCE])
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
(1 Peter 5:4 [AKJV/PCE])
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
There is a throne of glory, for God
Jesus is the King of Glory
Jesus is the LORD of Glory
God is the GOD of Glory
The eternal glory that awaits is called the weight of glory
Our joy over our salvation is to be full of glory
The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Glory
There is the crown of Glory
(James 2:5 [AKJV/PCE])
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Some of the most devoted, faithful, joyful followers of Christ are in fourth world countries, with very little to live on
Many times, they are persecuted, martyred for their faith, something the rich here who may give money to missions (appropriate), but never themselves go, can appreciate
It is a level playing field at the foot of the Cross
We have mansions waiting for us in Heaven, no matter what we have, live in here
JESUS IS ON THE SIDE OF THE POOR-ALWAYS
Jesus was born in a borrowed manger
Jesus borrowed loaves and fishes
Jesus borrowed a coin
Jesus did not have a bed
Jesus borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem
Jesus borrowed an upper room for the Last Supper
Jesus borrowed a Cross to die on for us (of Barabbas)
Jesus borrowed a tomb (Joseph of Arimathaea's)
(Luke 2:7 [AKJV/PCE])
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Matthew 15:34 [AKJV/PCE])
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
(Matthew 22:19 [AKJV/PCE])
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(Matthew 8:19 [AKJV/PCE])
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
(Matthew 21:2-3 [AKJV/PCE])
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
(Luke 22:8-13 [AKJV/PCE])
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
(Matthew 27:21-23 [AKJV/PCE])
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
(Matthew 27:57-60 [AKJV/PCE])
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
OUR FUTURE HOME
(Matthew 5:3 [AKJV/PCE])
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(John 14:2-4 [AKJV/PCE])
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
(John 14:2 [AKJV/PCE])
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(John 14:3 [AKJV/PCE])
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:4 [AKJV/PCE])
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
(James 2:6 [AKJV/PCE])
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
The correct answer to this question here is a resounding, "YES!"
Many forget that it is the fancy dressers with the big, fancy, shiny cars who are the oppressors
This must be remembered always, that those who can give the most can and will, given opportunity, take the most
(James 2:7 [AKJV/PCE])
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
The correct answer to this question here as well is again a resounding, "YES!"
Those who have this world's riches depend on them and not God as, since they have money to buy what they need, they do not see God, therefore it is by their own hands they got it, not His Gracious Hands, so they "do not need God" and curse His Name, in blasphemy
If one is a spiritual snob, treating outsiders, the poor who enter into the assembly, the congregation as second class citizens, you literally here are being told you blaspheme the name of Christ
(James 2:8-9 [AKJV/PCE])
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Who is my neighbor?
Ignoring, shunning, snubbing, looking down one's nose at, separating out on purpose people based upon their money, status, clothing, etc. is herein called a sin, according to God's Law
They are our neighbors, perhaps our brethren
This is not a law, but a ROYAL LAW, because, as was said earlier, God is on the side of the poor, and this law is the sum of all of the laws together
Partiality, discrimination is evil sin, wickedness, transgression
(Acts 10:34 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
THY NEIGHBOUR
(Leviticus 19:18 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
(Luke 10:29-37 [AKJV/PCE])
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
(James 2:10 [AKJV/PCE])
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
People will be eligible to not enter the kingdom of God in heaven with a self-induced passage to hell, for just one sin, because no one does not sin
This is the sum of the law on earth. Loving the LORD and loving others, the vertical (God and us) holding up the horizontal (us and others) part of the Cross
The late Chuck Missler said it best: "Suspend a man over a cliff by a chain of ten links. How many links have to snap before a man falls to his death?"
(James 2:11 [AKJV/PCE])
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
In any one part of the One God's true law..........it does not matter which part
Same Holy God, same Holy Law, same commandment
On our own, we cannot be holy, as there is none righteous (Romans 3:10-12, below)
(Romans 3:10-12 [AKJV/PCE])
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
(Leviticus 11:44 [AKJV/PCE])
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(Leviticus 20:7 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
(1 Peter 1:15-16 [AKJV/PCE])
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
(James 2:12 [AKJV/PCE])
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
"as they that will be judged by the law of liberty", because we will be, either way, as will all who stand before the Judgment Seat
The law of liberty............free will, not a license to sin, but the freedom to follow Christ and not sin
It means we are not controlled robots, all decisions made for us
It means we have a choice of doing right and wrong, having our sins, all of them, forgiven, or not, by believing on the LORD Jesus Christ
(James 2:13 [AKJV/PCE])
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
The context here is not works salvation, but upbraiding those who did not a thing to help the less fortunate, the widows, orphans
This stems from the "respecters of persons" behavior above
This behavior is, again, what causes believers and unbelievers alike to proclaim, "YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN??"
Taking care of the "lowest" in society means dying to self, swallowing one's pride, expecting nothing, because they have nothing to offer back anyways
(Mark 8:35-38 [AKJV/PCE])
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
(James 2:14 [AKJV/PCE])
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
This is not saving faith, but a feigning faith that they believe in Jesus Christ, merely saying that one believe's that He existed, but do not need Him to pay for their sins
Getting saved is the start, only the start. Not acting on it means to the world, means to actual believers who are born again, that you were never saved, but came forward in an altar call, once professed something for a motive that was not pure, but for some other reason, any other reason
The reason is their own self-righteousness, their own "being a good person", with the attitude, "I will work hard to get to heaven, doing good deeds"
What does it profit? The answer is nothing
By the same token, if a person IS saved and is manifesting that they are not, what are we to see? What does the world see? A church goer, an attender, whose life shows no change, still in the old flesh, and old creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)
(James 2:15-16 [AKJV/PCE])
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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?
Talk is cheap, costs nothing, does nothing, is an insult if not
Helping, actions speak louder than words
Some people say, "Ya know, a garage to store things in would look nice over there, why not just make one? Shouldn't take you long"
That sentence takes ten seconds maximum to type, five seconds or less to say, and how long to actually move that wall? No time at all for the one not building, but just waiting
Most often, those same people, sad to say, do not help you move that wall, and insist it is not a huge job, should not take you long to do it, but have never done it
This is an evil when people say and do not do, who can, but it is beneath them to lift a finger
(James 2:17 [AKJV/PCE])
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Dead faith is useless, not glorifying to God, means we are merely saved, and doing nothing for the One Who saved us
It means we are not grateful, thankful, appreciating His Grace, Mercy
It means one does not acknowledge Who gave them their riches and, ultimately, Whose they are, and that is the LORD
God owns it ALL, and no one will take it with them
(Deuteronomy 10:14 [AKJV/PCE])
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
(Psalms 24:1 [AKJV/PCE])
A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
(Psalms 50:12 [AKJV/PCE])
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
(Psalms 89:11 [AKJV/PCE])
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
(1 Corinthians 10:26 [AKJV/PCE])
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
(1 Corinthians 10:28 [AKJV/PCE])
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
(James 2:18 [AKJV/PCE])
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Same saving faith; one hidden, feigned, useless, not glorifying to God, the other active, backed up with a witness, a testimony, visible to all, not done for their own glory, but for God's, simply giving back to God what He gave them
"Show me you are saved, if you are", not work to be saved
The only thing people see of Christ in us is our deeds and words; else we are simply not saved and self-deceived into thinking we are and living a make believe life
(James 2:19 [AKJV/PCE])
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Believing in one God is meaningless and does not save, as most of the planet has for 6,000 years, and will always do so, even believing in "the One" false god, the anti-Christ, when he arrives
And? So? That is dead faith and shows nothing
All of the fallen angels know there is one True God, Who kicked them out of Heaven
(James 2:20 [AKJV/PCE])
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
When we do not do anything to help others, that horizontal part of the Cross, held up by the vertical, we show the world that believers are selfish just like the phony, mainstream televangelists
That person is not necessarily unsaved, they just have useless, dead faith. James is just saying ,"SHOW YOURSELF!!!!!"
Who lights a candle, then hides it so that the light never shines?
James is simply asking, "Since you're saved, what are you doing for the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven?"
James is simply asking, "Since you're saved, how would we know? How do we know?"
(Matthew 5:13-16 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(James 2:21 [AKJV/PCE])
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Why is Abraham even in Scripture? Not just because he believed, and it was indeed accounted to him for righteousness
He is in there because he obeyed after believing, uprooting, journeying, going to a land God would eventuall show him, which would be for him and his descendants, forever, who were not even born yet, not knowing where that place was, which direction, then doing the unthinkable, offering Isaac the son of promise, trusting God would raise him from the dead if Abraham went through with it
(James 2:22 [AKJV/PCE])
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
There is a direct contrast between a dead faith and a working faith, for all to see and witness
There is a direct correlation between being saved and walking by faith and working in faith, now working for the LORD's glory and not our own
The faith was made perfect; he was already declared righteous, holy, perfect before God, by God, but he acted on that faith to demonstrate before and to show to men that he believed God, not to show God anything because, as was said earlier, no one can show God anything, as He sees all, knows all already
(James 2:23 [AKJV/PCE])
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Many are called, few respond
(James 2:24 [AKJV/PCE])
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Once again, many things in this one verse:
Taken out of its context (the entire rest of Scripture), privately interpreted, this clearly shows the heretics, cultists that we are saved and declared righteous before God by doing good works
That a person who wants to believe that thinks that the verse means justified before God by their works
That a person who wants to believe this will work to get saved and die without Christ
That a person who wants to believe this will think that their work is saving them and is often very proud, arrogant, self-righteous, better than those who are saved by
grace
The self-justifiers wrest this Scripture from its anchor, its mooring, its context and then twist the meaning to make it fit their pet doctrine
Will then hardly acknowledge that this entire treatise is about justification before men, not God, as we are to be fruit inspectors
(2 Peter 3:16 [AKJV/PCE])
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(Matthew 7:20 [AKJV/PCE])
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(James 2:25 [AKJV/PCE])
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
This clearly showed the Israelites that Rahab was now indeed one of them
(James 2:26 [AKJV/PCE])
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
A dead faith is meaningless, not of use to God and His Glory, His Kingdom, just a weekly attender "every time the doors are open" pew sitter, dressed to the nines, with the outward appearance, the trappings of this life and doing nothing to help others, looking down the nose at those less fortunate, who can walk in the door, and then walk back out, never to return
Sadly, such is the state of most of American churches today, same as this first century church
Same snobbery, same emptiness, same exact Pharisaical platitudes
