[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Nell

What is the point of all this? Knowing God; being led by the Holy Spirit; having a personal relationship with the One who inspired those who wrote his words down. The words of Paul overwhelm the one verse written by James. This is a solid test (I think). When one tiny voice contradicts the overwhelming evidence of justification by faith, the Holy Spirit gives me the assurance that...justification is indeed by faith with works being a fruit...at least that's how I think of it.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do
(John 14:12)

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 11:1)

I believe that James' declaration that "a person is justified by works and not by faith alone" should be taken in light of the Lord Jesus' words to his disciples in John 14. According the context surrounding James' declaration (vrs 18-26) and coupled with Jesus' declaration in John 14, it is apparent that James was not talking about works of the law, but works as they flow from faithfulness to God and his word. I think that this is what James was getting at when he proclaimed: "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works".

I think Nell sums it up quite well in saying:

Justification is indeed by faith with works being a fruit

I think this tread was mistitled. In any event, I must stress that arguments surrounding the infallibility of the Scriptures are beyond the purview of this forum, and I'm sorry to say that I am inflexible about this.
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