James – Salvation
The Book of James– passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION
James 1
v. 12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
v.21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you. v.22 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. v.23 – Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. v.24 – and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. v.25 – But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.
v.26 – If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. v.27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 2
v.5 – Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? v.6 – But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? v.7 – Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
v.12 – Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, v.13 – because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!
Faith and Deeds
v.14 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? v.15 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. v.16 – If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? v.17 – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. v.18 – But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
v.19 – You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. v.20 – You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? v.21 - Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? v.22 – You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. v.23 – And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
v.24 – You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. v.25 – In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? v.26 – As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 5
v.7 – Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. v.8 – You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! v.10 – Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. v.11 – As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
May 08 2010 12:46 pm | New Testament - Salvation