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    • The Gospels >
      • Matthew 5:20, ​Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:8-9, Mark 9:45-47, Mark 11:25-26, and Luke 6:37
      • Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:1-13, ​Luke 6:46-49, and ​Luke 13:24-28
      • Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, and Mark 13:13
      • ​Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10, and ​2 Timothy 2:12
      • ​Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, and Luke 12:10
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      • Matthew 25:31-46
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      • Romans 11:21-22
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      • 1 Corinthians 9:27 and 1 Corinthians 10:12
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      • James 2:19
      • 1 John 2:15
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      • Revelation 3:15-16
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James 2:17 and James 2:21

  • Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17) ​

​Many say this verse shows that those who have faith will have works we can see, and therefore if we can't see their works, then they probably aren't saved (and therefore aren't justified).  Some will then go on to say that Abraham was justified by his works, as shown in the same paragraph:
  • Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (James 2:21) 

But the question is, justified to whom?  In Romans 4 we find that it can't be talking about justification before God:
  • For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4:2-8) 

The conclusion must be that James 2:21 was talking about justification before men, as men throughout time have read about Abraham's story.  And the faith is dead, for verse 17, because it's not being spread to other men and women.  They don't see your faith.  It is alone.

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  • Home
  • Articles
    • Salvation >
      • Don't we have to repent to be saved?
      • ​Is the blood of Christ important for salvation?
      • Once we're saved will we always stay saved?
      • What must I do to be saved?
      • What's the difference between our flesh and our spirit?
      • ​Whose name is blotted out of the book of life?
    • False Gospels >
      • ​Is there an easy way to tell what's a false gospel?
      • ​Is water baptism involved in salvation?
      • What's wrong with Calvinism?
      • What's wrong with Seventh Day Adventism?
      • What's wrong with the "rapture ready" movement?
      • ​Works-based gospels of the world
    • Bible >
      • Why is it important for English speakers to use the King James version?
      • How to get started reading the King James version
      • Was Paul a false apostle?
    • Doctrine >
      • Is God a trinity?
      • ​Is Jesus God?
      • Should we always obey the government and other institutions?
      • Was Jesus Christ always the Son of God?
      • When will the rapture happen?
  • Difficult Verses
    • The Gospels >
      • Matthew 5:20, ​Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:8-9, Mark 9:45-47, Mark 11:25-26, and Luke 6:37
      • Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:1-13, ​Luke 6:46-49, and ​Luke 13:24-28
      • Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, and Mark 13:13
      • ​Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10, and ​2 Timothy 2:12
      • ​Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, and Luke 12:10
      • Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:3-8, and Luke 8:5-8
      • Matthew 25:14-30
      • Matthew 25:31-46
    • The Epistles >
      • Romans 11:21-22
      • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, 1 John 3:9, and 1 John 3:15
      • 1 Corinthians 9:27 and 1 Corinthians 10:12
      • Philippians 2:12
      • Colossians 1:23
      • Hebrews 3:6 and Hebrews 3:14
      • Hebrews 5:9
      • Hebrews 6:4-8
      • Hebrews 10:26-27
      • Hebrews 12:14
      • James 2:17 and James 2:21
      • James 2:19
      • 1 John 2:15
    • Revelation >
      • Revelation 3:15-16
  • My Testimony
  • Contact