I love that. "Faith without works is like Abraham without the altar, Noah without the Ark, Ruth without talking to the king, Moses without parting the sea." This quote really stuck to me and brought to mind people I love who fall into this category.
Catholicism doesn't teach that we are saved by our works alone or by faith and works. Catholicism teaches that: - we are saved by grace alone, a doctrine called sola gratia. That's the official Church teaching. - after salvation by grace, we are justified by faith and works. Faith and works are the result of being saved by grace. - NOT *salvation* by faith and works. - salvation is by grace alone I respect you believe in salvation by faith, and your channel is such a blessing, and your videos are normally so thoughtful. I'm hoping the misrepresentation was just an oversight. I would have loved to see your thoughts (or anyone else's thoughts) on salvation by faith vs salvation by grace and on why Protestants don't believe in salvation by grace. 🙏
Both of these comments have confused me, and I now realize I'm going to have to really research Catholicism before I can understand the differences. There is so much contradictory information out there. Although I have heard Melissa say by grace alone, I believe. And being saved isn't a Protestant's concept, it's Biblical. Jesus saved us, and when we put our faith in Him we are saved by His Grace.
As hearts go, there is such a genuineness and loving-kindness about this woman. Would love to offer her my humble, sincere thanks and gratitude. This kind of heart is (sadly) quite rare in our faith - so it stands out when seen. You are a light to the world but not like a little candle...rather, like a huge spotlight, hooked to a nuclear power plant. One that nearly sets the sky on fire. What a generous heart, sister :)
You appear to understand James within the context of sola fides. You do not understand Catholic theology. The difference between your “faith alone” and traditional faith taught prior to the Reformation is the understanding of the role of free will and grace. That’s the difference - it’s not faith + works as you say. You are teaching a watered down comparative theology. Please consult with a real Catholic theologian to clear up your confusion. James would likely have adopted the orthodox view of justification by faith which does not include the addition of the word “alone.” Sola fides incorporates the word “alone” which Luther used to negate the orthodox belief that we are free to chose good and bad; free to chose grace and evil. Sola fides, as later incorporated into protestant systematic theology (likely some take on Luther or Calvin) holds that one, due to complete depravity, cannot freely choose grace but choose evil only. According to Luther, his belief in justification by faith “alone” imputed salvation because in our natural, sinful state we are incapable of participating with grace to merit salvation. However, St. Paul never added the word “alone” in his writings. Ironically, sola was imputed to the text by Luther who was pretty vocal regarding his dislike of the Gospel of James for its obvious connection to the orthodox view of justification by faith. Good works - in the orthodox sense of the term- describes one’s participation with grace by an act of free will. That’s why Catholics say: through him, with him and in him. Whereas Protestants profess: through him and in him- excluding “with him.” There is no “with him” if your theology embraces sola fides or incorporates total depravity. CS Lewis in Mere Christianity uses the analogy of the child who receives some money from his parent. The child uses the money to buy a gift and then gives it to his parent. No one reasons that the child earned or merited the gift. But it is apparent that the child freely chose to do something good with what was given. In this regard, it is a good work which is merited to the child by virtue of his/her exercise of free will, and it pleases the parent. Likewise, the same is true with our participation with grace: we are made worthy of receiving it by the very gift itself and thereby are made apt to do good works by it. But importantly there remains in us the free will to chose it and do good work by it. By choosing to participate with Grace the mustard seed that is the human will grows closer to its glory. Have you ever asked yourself why you choose Jesus as your savior? Is it you or God that does the choosing? Ever consider that it’s a combination of both your will and Grace? If it’s just God moving our wills to be good or God imputing salvation, then what’s the purpose of suffering in this life if it cannot move us to move our wills closer to God? Suffering must be pointless to you. Faith without works is a nullity if one cannot freely exercise the will in a way consistent with god’s will.
ciircumstances in life led to my horrible nasty sins. i am physically n mentally ill. i get paranoid, but i know faith in lord christ saves me. redemption n repentence is beautiful.
As a born in Jehovah's witness who left the religion after 39 years, I love this video. Going door to door and doing the JW preaching WORK was exhausting, anxiety invoking, and mostly fruitless. As a JW I NEVER understood GRACE. Jesus...the true Jesus of the Bible, is my Lord today and I'm forever grateful for his kindly and light yoke. I'm still very much a prodigal daughter...I feel like I'm constantly slipping into unhealthy behaviors (sin), but I appreciate you explaining the difference between being a prodigal son and a lukewarm unbeliever. I'm so thankful for the TH-cam Christian community and people like you who remind us all to dig deep in scripture constantly. God bless. Shalom. 💚🙏
Ali's Big TOE don’t worry as believers we are being sanctified until the day we die. It’s a lifelong process. The more we grow spiritually the more humbled we become bc we realize how bad we truly are in our hearts (though it may not manifest outwardly.) That leads us to rely more and more on Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for your life and I do pray for the JW’s to have an eye opening experience and to come to know the true Jesus.
@Tash studying the bible in depth is really good, but as someone who was born a jw, I can tell you that their methods are really flawed. While they claim to just take the bible as writ without doctrine, but that's not really true. Instead they will take a scripture, often but not always, out of context, and jump to a conclusion from there. It feels like you are getting all this insight into scriptural truth, but a lot of the most important conclusions have little actual biblical support. Like the teaching that Jesus is actually Michael(literally no scriptural basis), the compound sign of the end(based on twisting jesus's words rather than just reading them) that the end has already started(this is based on stuff they don't even believe anymore, but it's been with them so long they can't abandon it anymore even though they don't interpret the scriptures that way anymore) that jesus's return is invisible(he literally said that it wouldn't be, but they need to say it to make other doctrine work) or that you should be willing to die rather than take a blood transfusion(literally no scriptural basis)
I don't understand how someone can take one understanding from a small snippet of a passage while ignoring the other 100 or so passages that teach the exact opposite?
@@HebrewElevationChurch David did not keep God's commandments, and yet he was a man after God's own heart. What's with the name Yahuda Yasharahla? Did you make that up? Are you one of those crazy 'Black Hebrew Israelites'? Meaning some white-hating black guy from America who is just looking to pump up his pride with a fancy made up story? What's with the first person shooters huh? Does that kind of gun violence glorify God? Doesn't sound like you are keeping His commandments.
The secret to understanding this is that there are two different "works" described in scripture. One is the works of the law, and the other is good works. James, here, is talking about doing good works for your fellow man.
Sis shalom.. my goodness… that marriage analogy absolutely beautiful.. it’s sad us as sinners get saved become so prideful into thinking oh now God need my works.. all that’s needed is to divide the word of truth. Humans see works God see’s the faith. Clear and concise
I found my answer I recently asked you, if you were Catholic and this video definitely answered my questions and I thank you for helping me be freed from the conformity of the Catholic religion. ☮️💟✝️JESUS SAVES☮️💟✝️ me alone. Thank you 🙏 p.s what church do you go to and if you don’t, you should start one. You are definitely gifted and have helped me tremendously. God bless you and your family. Always Love, Brother Christopher 🙏
Hey there! I'm glad you went through some of my other previous videos and found that this one helped you so much. I go to a small Christian church here in my town. I suppose if there was a 'denomination' to it, it'd have baptist roots. If you're wanting to learn more, I highly suggest Mike Winger's channel where he does a playlist on Catholicism. He's very loving and fair with his assessments. Praise God :-)
@@MelissaDougherty thank you for replying so quickly I appreciate it. What is the name of your church and does it have a website? I’m in Connecticut right now but I’m definitely looking for a church to celebrate with.
James 2:14-26 New King James Version Faith Without Works Is Dead (It pays to read an entire context of a scripture/verse to gain true and full understanding) 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. That particular scripture isn’t about being saved, it has to do with when someone tries to apply the same salvation type of faith to everything (like people be doing to this day) like instead of giving someone food, they’ll say something like they’re going to pray for them. Or instead of doing something that helps them reach a goal, instead of doing something they’ll say they are trusting God to do it in their life. The Bible and writer is just putting balance on our faith walk so we don’t live out our lives understand a false notion that God is going to do everything just because we believe by faith. The Bible is stating that there will be times where we’ll have to do something. A lot of people who believe in God/Jesus, don’t understand that just like sinners or non believers go to work or give to the homeless, we must do the same too. Praying doesn’t remove our responsibility as Christians to do something with our lives. Many of our gifts are not active, and therefore, many of us see the world prospering in every area of our lives, not because God is always making us wait, sometimes it’s because we haven’t been doing anything but living in a Christian fantasy. I mean, the same pastor that preaches living by faith will get you what you desire, is actually not just living by faith but he is actually doing something. This con job has people dependent on something invisible, and the scripture is written to help us all not live in a false belief that isn’t true. May the truth set us all free Now read the scripture again James 2:14-26 New King James Version Faith Without Works Is Dead (It pays to read an entire context of a scripture/verse to gain true and full understanding) 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Girl, the theology here: 🙌🏼👍🏼💯 And your hair: 🙌🏼👍🏼💯 Thank you for your bold defense of Scripture, and for your work helping us all understand other religions and how they view God, Jesus, and salvation. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Please check your information on Catholics...because you are simply wrong thinking you know what Catholics believe. As a Catholic, we DO NOT believe we have to earn our way through works. All we need is Jesus...period! Works, helps authenticates your faith! You want to do good works, because you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Giving "lip service" to God is transparent, to those who truly are Faithful.
Your absolutely right. You can have all the faith in the world but if you don't make a move it's nothing. It's like knowing how to cook and never going in the kitchen
This is such a nuanced concept that a lot of people don’t get it and they’ll fall either on the legalism side, or hyper-grace. We’re saved by the sacrifice of Jesus alone and we’re supposed to repent and believe. This leads to a complete change: abandoning sin and our own desires to pursue God and His will.
James crossed my mind this week. I am new to being just a plain Christian, I grew up very Catholic, so this has been something I’ve been struggling to accept, but only recently. I God works in mysterious ways since this just popped up on my feed. Thank you!
I recently have been listening and studying with Andrew Farley and this subject caused me to listen to other teaching and I must say this gives me freedom. The truth will set you free. I’m not confused on the book of James anymore. Thank you to the Holy Spirit . God wants us to know the truth.
3:00 Now pause right there. If good works are a result of Salvation, why would James be writing this to BELIEVERS?! Could it be because they were actually not working?? So therefore, is it possible for a truly saved person to not be working?? Do you see how stating:- "good works are A RESULT of Salvation" is still preaching a works Salvation?? I hope you do.
Important topic :) I grew up believing one could loose their salvation and it was scary. It was kind of a way to keep people from “sinning”, and kept people completely unaware of how sinful we truly are. I also thought it was my prayer asking Jesus to come into my heart that saved me. It’s way more encouraging spiritually to believe, repent and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It makes sense to me like that Bible verse you referenced says, I can look at myself in the mirror and see that I am saved and a follower of Christ, but if I walk away from that mirror and live completely in opposition to the truth that Jesus is my Lord and reject the leading of the Holy Spirit, I forget who I am and contradict that reflection in the mirror.
Hi Susan, do not be deceived. Jesus teaches always you can lose your salvation. This false saved by faith grace gospel is from Paul. Read Jesus words over Paul’s.
Agreed completely. When I first discovered salvation by grace in its fullest meaning, I used to be repulsed by the James passage. But in time, as I grew deep in the grace and knowledge of Christ, I also came to the same understanding, that our expectation of ourselves, and of others in the faith, is not contrary to the salvation-by-grace-alone faith at all. Actually, now more than ever, I comfort myself with James' demand: "show me your faith with your works," as I see glaring inconsistencies that damage our testimony to the world. I'm now sharing with James his frustration.
Ιm an orthodox. Never have I ever thought that whatever great deeds we do or even if we did everything good (we can't obviously ) we deserve paradise. We are always unworthy, always don't deserve it, because God validated us upon birth yet still we sin! It's only by God's grace, YET we need to do good deeds and try to behave and mimic Jesus ❤️😀
I just realized that the saving that faith in jesus brings does not only apply to being able to enter heaven, but it is also being saved from your own sin that you were doing before you were saved that leads to destruction, depression, broken relationships, etc.
You are wonderful. I feel there's more and more christians or religious thinkers coming out and exploring ideas rationally, and focusing on the source - the scriptures. So much harm has been made to the word of God, due to cultists, pathological liars and sociopaths. This is why a lot of people resent religion or christianity, and it's absolutely crucial that more people like you represent the gospel and its meaning in a thruthful manner. The biggest problem with any religion is its complexity, and thus discerning true faith vs false faith, but you among others help combat this issue.
I'm really happy you connected these verses with the Galatians epistle, before I made the connection I felt serious depression and confusion but now have a better understanding. God Bless and have a wonderful day
I am a catholic. I don't think you understand the catholic worldview. We believe that paid it all on the cross, and we believe we are saved by God's mercy. There is no list of good works you need to do in catholicism. We acknowledge that works flow from faith and your faith should shape your deeds. As I watched the video I agreed with many things and they were actually things that catholicism teachers I think we are coming from the same. God is not an idiot he judges by the truth and what he sees in a heart. I really reccomed you to watch this video speaking about works: th-cam.com/video/bUOscYtlWcs/w-d-xo.html
I'm sure as a Catholic you are aware of your church's teaching about purgatory... which is the opposite of what you claim here. "We believe that paid it all on the cross"... no, that is not catholic.
Galatians next to James: men cannot see faith, only God can. It is that faith that saves you. Though men cannot see faith, they see the results of that faith in good works.” Love this summary!!
Masterfully done.I am convicted and inspired.The only thing I would add and emphasize is the renewing of the mind by reading the word.It feeds our faith.I believe that's where a lot of believers are falling short.And I think we don't read as much because the preachers we listened made us afraid.So there is a lot of self condemnation.In Churches I attended people were basically attacked with scriptures.So people have their guard up even when it comes to the Bible.They feel like I can't find anymore stuff about how bad I am and how much I upset God.The good news was never seen as good news to them.Thank you so much for your channel I believe God has led me to be refreshed within by a believer who loves the word.I feel like I can start to love the word again two now.
This is so good. I saved it to my favorites so I can keep coming back to it, and I love the marriage analogy. Happy New Year to you Melissa! God bless you and your family and keep making these videos. They really help. ♥
A lot of good points are made in this video. I like the do and done explanation regarding religions. Jesus did it all. As he said, "It is finished." Done. Yet we are still here. People are being born, and people are dying. So, even though it is finished or done, this world is still going on as it has since he said those words, which means we are obviously supposed to be doing something. But what are we supposed to be doing? And what exactly is finished or done? Well, what is finished or done is what Jesus said he came to do, which is to fulfill the law and the prophets, to accomplish their purpose. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of Israel. He accomplished their mission, to be a light to the nations. AND he also gave himself as the sacrificial lamb to atone for the sins of the world. He became and did everything that God wanted him to be and do. So, where does that leave us today? What are we supposed to be doing? Well, what did Jesus tell us to do? "Abide in me." "Keep my commandments." Those are a few. He said other things, obviously. Some things that he spoke to people in the gospel records can be considered commandments for all of us, I think. Take the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, which is sin, and was brought before him. He told her to go and "sin no more." Some professing Christians today teach that it is impossible for us to not sin. I didn't realize Jesus was in the business of commanding people, especially his people, to do impossible things. I'm thinking if Jesus commands something, then there must be a way to obey his commandment. Maybe that ability has something to do with abiding in him. But what does it mean to abide in Jesus? That's the $64,000 question, isn't it? Is it saying a prayer one time, inviting him into your heart, then thinking you've got a ticket into heaven? Is it going to church and doing what the pastor says? Is it studying your Bible and doing 'good' things? I find it interesting that the Hebrew name of Jesus means God is our salvation. So, if we truly abide in Jesus, then we are abiding in God, our salvation. The way I understand it, people don't "get saved." Salvation is not a gift we possess. Salvation is everything God has done for mankind in and through Jesus, and we either abide in Jesus or we abide outside of Jesus. So, again, the big question is, what does it mean to abide in Jesus? What does that look like? How does one do it and continue doing it? What happens if one does not abide in him? Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." God calls the whole world, but not everyone answers that call. Many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus is the chosen one. Many are called to abide in him, but few actually do abide in him. Who will stand with Jesus at the very end? Who will be in the chosen one? The called, and chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14 That's not three different groups of people. That's one group of people who answered his call and abided in him by being faithful. What's the equivalent of being faithful? Being obedient, maybe? Keeping his commandments? Maybe "works" in the book of James often actually means "obedience." It wasn't the work of offering Isaac upon the altar that justified Abraham, it was his obedience to God in giving up that which he loved the most, the embodiment of the promise God had made to him. It was Peter's obedience to Jesus when Peter stepped out of the boat into the raging sea and started walking on the water toward Jesus that gave life to Peter's faith. But then his fear caused him to pause, and his pause was disobedience, so his faith then died, and he began to sink. While Peter obeyed in spite of the raging sea, his faith was alive and kept him above the water and moving toward his lord. The second he disobeyed, his faith was no longer a living faith. So, maybe abiding in Jesus, who IS salvation, means faithfully obeying his commandments steadfastly. He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."
Thank you for explaining it so well. I am blessed to be in a church with expository teaching and James was explained this way but sadly so many churches use this scripture and totally ignore the other scriptures.
@@radixreuel7631 That's Lordship Salvation. But the Bible does not say that. Jesus said he who believes on Him has eternal life (John 6:47). Discipleship comes after salvation.
I'm really thankful for your videos, I was in a hard place in my walk with Christ and i started to lose hope and find myself more lost in the world but God used you to draw me closer to Him and like i just pray He continues to bless your ministry and what your doing. Thank you :)
Great teaching, Melissa, thank you! What helps me understand that verse is to sub the word “love” for faith. Love without works is dead being alone. You don’t just SAY you love someone yet never lift a finger to show you love them. Love is a verb. In a way, so is faith. J. Warner Wallace gave the example of a cop demonstrating his faith in a new bullet-proof vest by taking a bullet at point blank range.
Am thankful for your post...was not sure what was looking for, or if was actually looking. The only thing am sure is you have given me a fresh look into the that God gave me...had jumped to many places,had abandoned many fellowships,have actually remained home because am incapable of believing or trusting any person at all, but there is something different about you, and am hoping this is the answered to my personal prayers, hope it will be confirmed as well...forgive me am not trying to be rude,or wrong in anyway,but am tired and subsequently have become upsent from it all. And now feeling sick,tired,but in all of this am still hungry thirsty for the truth! Hope you wont mind helping me come into true understanding and discernment of Who GOD,Christ,Holy Spirit is, and to find out if am still a child of GOD,or has GOD left me, as many had accepted of me,thank you for sharing,and also for reading,may GOD keep on blessing you for this love that you are sharing with us
Martin Luther wanted to remove the book of James and Hebrews from the New Testament while he was a professor. He felt the two books were too Jewish and they definitely didn't agree with his teachings about "Faith Alone" By the way, the word "alone" or "alein" in German can't be found in the New Testament.
I wanted to wait till the end to comment. I was disagreeing until you said “dead faith does not save you”. I think that is the problem here. Some like to take the extremes to prove something wrong. One will say “works is not required by a believer because we are saved by faith alone” Another will say “We are saved by faith +works” From what I am understanding the Greek word for faith is PISTIS. A better English word for it would be ALLEGIANCE. When we are saved we are saying we are declaring allegiance to God and the finishing work of Christ. If you are truly saved, your works won’t seem like works, it’s the natural outflow of your salvation. If you have no works, how can you say you ever was saved.
I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to add something. The last person to accept Christ before hos death was the thief on the cross. He was never baptized, never in church, never did a single good work in his life and Jesus said that he will be in paradise with Him today. That fact alone should put an end to everyone who thinks the works are tallied up and counted against the sins at the pearly gates to determine whether or not someone is "good enough" to enter. Faith in Christ is what *saves* but if that faith is *real* it will produce good works. If that thief wasnt dying he would have changed his ways and the rest of his life on earth would have been different. This is a very important distinction.
There is a difference in giving your life to Christ before you die and being a Christian for a while. We think we can punch a clock and not get paid. God is not a time clock. You have to do the work of the Lord. But you know not what work to be done unless you are lead by the spirit.
Hey Melissa! I respect your search for truth and the work you have done to research. Being Catholic I have to disagree about the requirements you mentioned our faith has about being saved. There are some great resources you can check out, like Bishop Barron and Word on Fire ministries on social media like You Tube and podcasts. Fr.Mike Schmitt is also great at answering questions about the Catholic faith. “Why We Are Catholic” by Trent Horn is a great resource for non-Catholics as well as Catholics to understand some of the reasons behind our faith. Being a person who does her due diligence I think these will be resources you will love. You have great questions and these are just a couple of places to get the answers you’re looking for. God bless you in your faith journey. 😊🙏🏼❤️
I look at it as a horse and buggy. The horse being grace and the buggy being works. The buggy does not go before the horse. The horse goes first and then the buggy will follow
No one can be saved by works BUT works are “evidence” of our faith. If there is no evidence of faith then there is probably no faith. If we say we have faith with no evidence ( works ) how can we “prove” to ourselves or anyone else we have faith ….without the “evidence / work”? It is then IMPOSSIBLE to prove. In that sense then faith without works is dead or “nonexistent”. We are saved by faith not works….but works “prove” our faith. Why is that so hard for some people to understand ?
No, repentance is definitely not a work that you do. It is just like faith in that they're both attitudes of the heart. Both do show their in what a person does or how they live. True saving faith manifests itself in works of righteousness and holiness, and repentance lives on in the refusal to practice sin and move on to obedience as a life-style.
It sounds like you're seeking credit for your own salvation. Don't do that, it's a GIFT given out of love, not something you're EARNING or deserving. Repentance is just the means by which you accept the gift already offered. How could you accept Christ without repenting ? That would be accepting and rejecting Him at the same time ! If you are talking about repentance AFTER you have accepted the GIFT of salvation, that's just regretting that you have temporarily gone the wrong way, and turning back to Christ again. That's not about salvation (you've ALREADY been saved by Christ's atonement on the cross), it's just about regretting that you've been unfaithful and turning back again. I wouldn't call that a 'work' just seeking forgiveness. A 'work' would be trying to EARN forgiveness. You can't do it ! The New Testament says that Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners," not only "after we repented." Christ died for SINNERS, not for GOOD people----people who had made themselves 'good enough' to be 'worthy' of salvation. Christ's love is unconditional. He loves the UN-repentant too. The problem is not that He doesn't love them, it's that they don't love Him ! He is offering the FREE gift of salvation (the word 'grace' MEANS 'UN-merited favor'), they are rejecting it . ...and as for baptism, the thief next to Jesus on the other cross was never baptized, yet Jesus said to him "Today you will be with me in Paradise". Baptism is a symbol of your repentance and rebirth, not a 'work' ----an attempt to EARN God's grace.
@@CarlMCole repentance is realizing you dont want to continue your sins. You cant stop sinning by yourself, you need God's help. He helps you by putting you through trials and tribulations, have you had a Job like experience yet? Its the scariest verse in the Bible to me, when it say's God disciplines those he loves >.
@@michi-bi repentance is realizing you have sinned and need God for salvation. U come to God as you are, you don't shape up and hate sin before you come to God. I mean you could but that's not required for repentance.
***Matthew 25:41-46 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
38:00 "you can't have the Holy Spirit and live like the world" Didn't Paul write to Christians encouraging them not to live like the world? He didn't say they weren't saved or that they lacked The HolySpirit, but that they should stop sinning.
yes you are right. Look up PDF online: Faith Without Works Is Dead What Does It Mean? A detailed study on one of the most controversial passages in the Bible.. By Dr. Thomas M. Cucuzza.
yes, you can have Jesus as your Savior and not LORD to be saved. After Salvation is then sanctification. Andy Woods explains it so well in his Soteriology study.
"Works is the evidence of a saving faith". Great ending words that really nailed it. I see works as the fruit or consequence of faith (and fear of God). I want to do good things because I want to show Jesus my love for him for what he did on the cross, and the fear of God keeps me focused because everything that I do and think is recorded and will be accounted for.
So if I'm to understand what you're saying correctly: You're faith will make you WANT to do works? Make you WANT to do better for God? I've been finding that since I've started reading the bible, and consuming Christian content like this That I've not been caring about worldly things as much. I don't care about politics anymore. I still really like my videogames, but I feel bad if I don't watch at least ONE sermon, or ONE Christ centered video when I get home from work. I pray every day, and talk about faith and God, and Jesus daily with my mother (who has been a HUGE part in finding Jesus) I slip up yes. There are still some sinful things that I catch myself doing, but I ALWAYS feel guilty, and I WANT to do better. Recently, even though I know my faith in Jesus has saved me I don't FEEL like I'm saved. I didn't feel much of anything when I prayed before God crying and accepting Jesus as my savior, but I've noticed that I've felt more peace in my life in the past few months than I ever have in any point in my life before. I still doubt myself, and I'm worried, and afraid. But isn't that a sign that I am in fact saved? I don't know. I know this transformation doesn't happen over night, but There's still so much anxiety, and fear. Or there was until I saw this video. I've been praying for this. I've been so scared that I might lose my salvation or that my salvation never came. I started worrying about this today at work, and it's been like a sickness in my heart. Yet here is your video. Bless you Melissa. Thank you so much! I'm a prodigal son. I slip up, often. Not nearly as bad I used to, but I still cuss, I still think indecent thoughts every now and then, but I always regret, and pray, and ask for forgiveness. NO sooner do I do that I feel a wave of warmth wash over me. Thank you Jesus for what you did for us on that cross. We were not worthy, but you died on that cross for us anyway. You paid a debt you did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. For that I am eternally grateful, and I hope and pray that you touch more hearts and show them the truth that is your love and grace, Amen!
"Yeah nah"...for SAFETY sakes I am just sticking with what James said in the BIBLE. If James is wrong then I am saved because I had the faith but I would be really eternally unhappy if I got up there for judgement and Jesus says "Where are your deeds/works etc?..I judge you on both like James told you". SAFETY people do both 😁
Milissa I believe God sent me on a journey to discover you on TH-cam last night. It's a deceptive world out there full of falsehoods and it's refreshing to listen to you and the Divine truth you bring. May the Lord bless you in your ministry, you are a blessing to us
Catholics do not believe in works based salvation. We believe we are saved by grace. Only God can save. But we do believe that we must live out our faith. We cooperate with grace and that leads to us doing works, not because it saves us. We do them because we love the lord and works helps to bring the lord to our neighbors so He is made known to those who don't believe him or don't know him. You can leave Catholics off this list
I'm a friend, a believer & I use the Moody Bible Commentary (not Reformed but, like many of their doctrines) & listen to Dr. Michael Brown from the Line of Fire. If, the Bible is a easy as you portray it, Mrs. Dougherty, we wouldn't need apologists like you. I find it impossible to stick with a few doctrines for very long without telling myself, "Somethings are mysteries we will discover in Heaven or on the New Earth". MY POINT: What about good works giving us like, rewards in Heaven or the Millennial reign of Messiah? Are there two biblical definitions of "good works"? "And He said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you were faithful in very little, you are to be having authority over ten cities.'", Luke 19:17, 19:11-27. I always say this to or about a friend that is a real "mensch" or someone that is knowledgeable, good at many things & helpful to lots of people, "Can I borrow some of your treasures in Heaven, you'll have more than you need". Is this a sanctification process that has rewards? The justification process is one reward or pay off for everyone who believes=trust=has faith in the Son of GOD. Matthew 20:1-16. "13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”, Mat 20:13-16. Machine gunning fallacy doesn't really fit here because, we have plenty of time to read the verses you quote. Maybe I could call it the Proof Text Fallacy, where you quote many verses that agree with your theory but, don't bring out "all" the Bible verses that wouldn't or might confuse the issue. We have much too much of this but, as soon as you turn on the TV or Media or go to college they present all the evidence that destroys any churches or cults arguments in about a minute or two. Now, I'm not complaining about you & your apologetics. I've subscribed & you are one of my reliable sources. You did clarify many tricky verses but, sometimes a slightly off-topic Bible verse can get a Christian to stumble away from all of your information. As I asked, if there is treasure in heaven then we are working to get the treasure & running cities in the millennium? If, this is true you should have a lot of joyful responsibilities in the next life! Thank you!
also James 1:1 explain to whom he is speaking too. this is not for the body of christ since none of us are part of the 12 tribe of Israel, God bless you.
Videos about the James "issue" should last at most 5minutes. 1. James 1:1 clearly shows its written towards Israel. 2. (Especially) the last chapter shows that the context is tribulation times. 3. Contrary to what Bible Scholars claim, it was not written by James brother of Jesus, rather by the (apostle) James son of Zebedee who died as a martyr prior to the gathering of the whole Church in Acts 15 (also the book was most probably written when the Body of Christ consisted solely of Jews and prozelytes - thats actually a pretty solid period that lasts until acts 10, and morr so,one big event that didnt occur until then was, apostle Paul getting one of the many mysteries revealed as he says, directly by Jesus - which is, the Gospel of Salvation by faith alone). Once you get this straight there is not much left to debate on that topic
I love the way you broke this down... especially the example of the wedding ring, it gives a great perspective on the concept of this topic. it's something I struggle with at times a lot of confusion has come out of the church that I left, so thank you for the way that you broke this down to make it easy to understand. 🙏
Every society has laws. How is possible to exist in such a society? Aren't you constantly living in terror because you may be arrested at any moment and be put to death? Well no. Societies have laws because the alternative is lawlessness. And the punishments fit the crimes. Not every traffic ticket is capital punishment. To give citizens a blanket pardon for anything and everything might relieve some anxiety but it would cause mayhem.
25:53 26:40 Romans 4:2-5 KJV For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
You claim that salvation is by ‘faith only’. Then, you describe 2 different types of faith. One faith necessarily exhibits a heart of obedience to do what God has commanded. The other refuses to do those things and is dead. Yes, the other side is saying the same thing. An ‘obedient faith’ (Rom. 1:5 & 16:26) is a saving faith. Therefore, both are necessary as you have defined the 2 types of faith. If I concede that some who believe that obedience is necessary for salvation have gone too far, will you concede that some who believe that faith only is sufficient have also gone too far? This is not a logical argument but an emotional one. Salvation necessarily containing man’s imperfect obedience does not equal legalism. That is a straw man. And, so is the argument that some believe that they’re going to turn in a list of their good works to God. Cite sources. Yes, Jesus’ work on the cross is finished, but that didn’t bring about Universal Salvation. What separates the saved from the unsaved? It must necessarily be something personal, because if not, we would all be saved as God has said is His will. The context of Isa 64 is an apostate, unrepentant Israel bringing their filthy, meaningless worship before God. Nowhere in the passage is it even implied that the worship is no longer required. The apostate Israel was unclean, making their worship ‘filthy’. This does not mean all worship is filthy. It shows that it is man’s heart that is more important than his physical actions, but not that his physical actions are meaningless. Both are required. Your marriage analogy seems wrong to me as well. The ring is meaningless. It’s a tradition outside the Bible. What matters is the heart of the individuals who have made the covenant with God and their obedience to it. Both are required. We must (imperfectly) love one another, and we must be faithful to our promise to not leave and stay faithful. What is a better outward sign, a ring or a man or woman loving and remaining faithful to their spouse? That is the outward sign, and it is still required as part of the covenant. Just because something may be an outward sign of something, that does not make it discretionary to the covenant.
Does that mean if I believe and I pray and I repeatedly keep sinning and yet I’m asking for help in my prayers and trying my best to stop that I will not be saved. That I’m rejecting Jesus the lord.?
A lot of people misunderstand the meaning of "works" in this context. It shouldn't be taken literally. Works are not about feeding 10 homeless people to fill your "Good christian" quota. By "works" the Gospel means what we actually do to express our faith, trust and love in Christ. That is why the example with Abraham is given - he was willing to do the most painful and hearbreaking thing possible instead of following his own heart and wishes. We do works as a result of our faith and devotion to Christ, NOT as a form of bargaining between humans and God. This is what politheists were doing in Antiquity.
I'm wondering how would I be able to choose the right Christian church since I've been told that there is over 45,000 denominations of christianity. All of them saying that they teach the truth. The right way to follow and the best ways of experiencing God's love for us.
Even Martin Luther acknowledged that James was saying that works are necessary. That is why he tried to remove the book from the New Testament. Look, in the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus is clear that the Sola Fide goats were not saved and the sheep who had good works were saved. Both the Sheep and the Goats had faith but only the Sheep were saved.
I find this passage in James very well explained. I like the explanation that there is a theological definition and a non theological definition of justification.
This has always confused me. I know that when we receive Jesus our hearts will change, and we will try to be obey because we receive a new heart, but is there a difference in wanting to keep God's commands, and in doing other good works, as in feeding, clothing the poor & hungry? It seems the disciples still followed God's commands along with Jesus new law. (Love your neighbor) This is very confusing to me when some say we are not to try to keep Gods commandments, because I believe we will want to keep them, because we have the Power of the Holy Spirit helping us.
lisa solis you’re right. If the Holy Spirit indwells the believer the believer will be guided into righteousness. Meaning, not our works but by the power of the Holy Spirit can we be capable of turning from dark to light.
So is being saved a one time event, where you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Done deal? Can't be unsaved? I think you just contradicted yourself. It sounds like works is still important. Read the church father's and Luther's interpretation of James. I think the contemporary interpretation is getting away from original interpretation.
Even the LORD Jesus told us to seek salvation daily and deny the world in the book of Luke. OSAS is part of the modern “feel good” seminary teachings. Luke 9:23 KJV “And HE said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Wonderful job ALL cults are destroyed when you do a 2 Tim 2:15, and you learn how to rightly divide the word of truth. The Bible (kjv) says.. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". (All other versions of the King James remove the word "study") James wasnt talking to us. He said so in the first chapter: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting. Peace and grace
This video is a Total misunderstanding of what the Catholic teaches on “faith and works”. Please go to a catholic reputable web site and read. --Blessings
Confession, not eating before Eucharist, alms to Archdiocese, money to church/poor, attending mandatory Mass on Sundays as well as special days and daily if you can, lenten practices, rosary, wearing a special saints mantle, prayers to God for the dead to avoid purgatory and there's more!
Im starting to change my mind about parts of my faith. To me it seems like most christians need an excuse so they can keep sinning. It doesnt feel right for me. There are many verses supporting works and not just faith alone, and those verses are pretty clear to me. Im going to do some more study on this.
It may be true that some Christians make excuses for their sin but I don't see how that has anything to do with salvation being a gift from God and that salvation is received by faith alone. If we add works to faith we are saying that what Jesus did on the cross..dying for our sin is not enough. Plz remember that as Christians we will be judged by Jesus at the Bema Seat. We will either receive rewards or not. Maybe some Christians take eternal life for granted and stop right there..not growing, maturing..allowing God to do as He wills in them. Also, plz bear in mind that many Christians are very unhealed and many need deliverance prayer. Some have generational curses because of the sins of previous generations. Spiritual warfare is seldom taught in the church. None of us get away with anything.
You are absolutely right. There are HUNDREDS of verses supporting "works", but they're not verses about salvation. Salvation is just the first STEP (accepting Christ and starting to get to know Him)----and salvation IS a FREE GIFT. After that first step though the whole Christian life is ABOUT following Christ ("Take up your cross and follow Me" He said. And "You are My friends if you DO what I command you." ). There is no such thing as an "excuse to keep sinning" . ("Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap" It was a Christian saying that ! ). Anyone who thinks they can DEFY God, reject His will, and NOT pay for it should think again ! Nowhere in Scripture does it suggest that God forgives UN-repentant sinners ! To quote the Apostle Paul "Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall".
@@joolspools777 Christians finding excuses for their sins is a huge problem. Not only are we called to accept Yeshua, Love Him and our neighbors; we are also called to not be of the world and to hate what Yeshua hates. Finding excuses for sin means you love that sin, and if you love that sin the love for Yahweh is not in you. This is in the New Testament multiple times but Christians ignore them.
@@CarlMCole The states over and over about doing good works through Jesus Christ. Catholics don't believe we earn salvation through our works! Its grace by our good works, like grace by faith. So yes good works is part of true salvation.
Melissa, I so needed to see this video. I'm a born again Christian, but I struggle with the idea that I haven't done enough to actually be saved and get to Heaven and make it up in the Rapture. I have talked to my pastor and he assured me that I'm saved and I don't need to do anything else. I felt good for a while, but a few days later, I was struggling again. Then I found your video. I'm not saying your video is better than what my pastor told me...it was true. But for some reason, I needed to hear and and see it presented in this way. THANK YOU
I know that a branch is successfully grafted, when new leaves, flowers and then fruit appears. Life is drawn from the root, through the trunk, with no works of the branch, but of receiving life by faith in our relationship with the True Vine. We can only bear good fruit that is natural and healthy when our faith humbly draws grace from that Vine! Without that fruit, how well are we abiding?
@Natalie Arlene Ephesians 2:10 Paul said that He has prepared us works beforehand (I think this passage was quoted in the video). Because of this, I don't think there is a situation in which a Christian would never do good works...just that "good works" are those actions done by/through the will of God. We can only know and do His will through faith/Holy Spirit, not of ourselves. So God is the one who works and gets credit for that work, always. edit: As in, "works" are not a "have to" or a "must do" to be saved, but a "will do" when the time comes, as a result of being saved. We sin a lot in this life, but we don't "live in sin" as we repent daily and pray for His strength and grace to sustain us until we can rest in heaven. I always figured that if i'm still alive (as in this life, right now), that means I still have not completed everything God made me to do yet. His redemptive work of salvation was completed on the cross, though.
I love that. "Faith without works is like Abraham without the altar, Noah without the Ark, Ruth without talking to the king, Moses without parting the sea." This quote really stuck to me and brought to mind people I love who fall into this category.
"it's not about how to achieve salvation, but how to live out your salvation"
Yuh🙌🏼
“It is finished!” Yes, Jesus! You’ve paid it all and overcame the world! Hallelujah!
Catholicism doesn't teach that we are saved by our works alone or by faith and works.
Catholicism teaches that:
- we are saved by grace alone, a doctrine called sola gratia. That's the official Church teaching.
- after salvation by grace, we are justified by faith and works. Faith and works are the result of being saved by grace.
- NOT *salvation* by faith and works. - salvation is by grace alone
I respect you believe in salvation by faith, and your channel is such a blessing, and your videos are normally so thoughtful. I'm hoping the misrepresentation was just an oversight. I would have loved to see your thoughts (or anyone else's thoughts) on salvation by faith vs salvation by grace and on why Protestants don't believe in salvation by grace. 🙏
Yeah "being saved" is a protestant concept. We actually won't know if we are saved yet
Both of these comments have confused me, and I now realize I'm going to have to really research Catholicism before I can understand the differences. There is so much contradictory information out there. Although I have heard Melissa say by grace alone, I believe. And being saved isn't a Protestant's concept, it's Biblical. Jesus saved us, and when we put our faith in Him we are saved by His Grace.
As hearts go, there is such a genuineness and loving-kindness about this woman. Would love to offer her my humble, sincere thanks and gratitude. This kind of heart is (sadly) quite rare in our faith - so it stands out when seen. You are a light to the world but not like a little candle...rather, like a huge spotlight, hooked to a nuclear power plant. One that nearly sets the sky on fire. What a generous heart, sister :)
Glory be to God!
“God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does”. Martin Luther
You appear to understand James within the context of sola fides.
You do not understand Catholic theology. The difference between your “faith alone” and traditional faith taught prior to the Reformation is the understanding of the role of free will and grace. That’s the difference - it’s not faith + works as you say. You are teaching a watered down comparative theology. Please consult with a real Catholic theologian to clear up your confusion.
James would likely have adopted the orthodox view of justification by faith which does not include the addition of the word “alone.”
Sola fides incorporates the word “alone” which Luther used to negate the orthodox belief that we are free to chose good and bad; free to chose grace and evil. Sola fides, as later incorporated into protestant systematic theology (likely some take on Luther or Calvin) holds that one, due to complete depravity, cannot freely choose grace but choose evil only. According to Luther, his belief in justification by faith “alone” imputed salvation because in our natural, sinful state we are incapable of participating with grace to merit salvation. However, St. Paul never added the word “alone” in his writings. Ironically, sola was imputed to the text by Luther who was pretty vocal regarding his dislike of the Gospel of James for its obvious connection to the orthodox view of justification by faith.
Good works - in the orthodox sense of the term- describes one’s participation with grace by an act of free will. That’s why Catholics say: through him, with him and in him. Whereas Protestants profess: through him and in him- excluding “with him.” There is no “with him” if your theology embraces sola fides or incorporates total depravity.
CS Lewis in Mere Christianity uses the analogy of the child who receives some money from his parent. The child uses the money to buy a gift and then gives it to his parent. No one reasons that the child earned or merited the gift. But it is apparent that the child freely chose to do something good with what was given. In this regard, it is a good work which is merited to the child by virtue of his/her exercise of free will, and it pleases the parent. Likewise, the same is true with our participation with grace: we are made worthy of receiving it by the very gift itself and thereby are made apt to do good works by it. But importantly there remains in us the
free will to chose it and do good work by it. By choosing to participate with Grace the mustard seed that is the human will grows closer to its glory.
Have you ever asked yourself why you choose Jesus as your savior? Is it you or God that does the choosing? Ever consider that it’s a combination of both your will and Grace? If it’s just God moving our wills to be good or God imputing salvation, then what’s the purpose of suffering in this life if it cannot move us to move our wills closer to God? Suffering must be pointless to you.
Faith without works is a nullity if one cannot freely exercise the will in a way consistent with god’s will.
ciircumstances in life led to my horrible nasty sins. i am physically n mentally ill. i get paranoid, but i know faith in lord christ saves me. redemption n repentence is beautiful.
As a born in Jehovah's witness who left the religion after 39 years, I love this video. Going door to door and doing the JW preaching WORK was exhausting, anxiety invoking, and mostly fruitless. As a JW I NEVER understood GRACE. Jesus...the true Jesus of the Bible, is my Lord today and I'm forever grateful for his kindly and light yoke. I'm still very much a prodigal daughter...I feel like I'm constantly slipping into unhealthy behaviors (sin), but I appreciate you explaining the difference between being a prodigal son and a lukewarm unbeliever. I'm so thankful for the TH-cam Christian community and people like you who remind us all to dig deep in scripture constantly. God bless. Shalom. 💚🙏
Ali's Big TOE don’t worry as believers we are being sanctified until the day we die. It’s a lifelong process. The more we grow spiritually the more humbled we become bc we realize how bad we truly are in our hearts (though it may not manifest outwardly.) That leads us to rely more and more on Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for your life and I do pray for the JW’s to have an eye opening experience and to come to know the true Jesus.
Thank you for your testimony 🙏 Now I HAVE to watch this video!! May the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus! 💗🕊
good work.💞
@Tash studying the bible in depth is really good, but as someone who was born a jw, I can tell you that their methods are really flawed. While they claim to just take the bible as writ without doctrine, but that's not really true. Instead they will take a scripture, often but not always, out of context, and jump to a conclusion from there.
It feels like you are getting all this insight into scriptural truth, but a lot of the most important conclusions have little actual biblical support. Like the teaching that Jesus is actually Michael(literally no scriptural basis), the compound sign of the end(based on twisting jesus's words rather than just reading them) that the end has already started(this is based on stuff they don't even believe anymore, but it's been with them so long they can't abandon it anymore even though they don't interpret the scriptures that way anymore) that jesus's return is invisible(he literally said that it wouldn't be, but they need to say it to make other doctrine work) or that you should be willing to die rather than take a blood transfusion(literally no scriptural basis)
According to Tim Henderson who has a TH-cam teaching on this verse about lukewarm Christians..there is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian..
I don't understand how someone can take one understanding from a small snippet of a passage while ignoring the other 100 or so passages that teach the exact opposite?
A woman after God's own heart. God bless you sister.
@@HebrewElevationChurch David did not keep God's commandments, and yet he was a man after God's own heart. What's with the name Yahuda Yasharahla? Did you make that up? Are you one of those crazy 'Black Hebrew Israelites'? Meaning some white-hating black guy from America who is just looking to pump up his pride with a fancy made up story? What's with the first person shooters huh? Does that kind of gun violence glorify God? Doesn't sound like you are keeping His commandments.
The secret to understanding this is that there are two different "works" described in scripture. One is the works of the law, and the other is good works. James, here, is talking about doing good works for your fellow man.
Sis shalom.. my goodness… that marriage analogy absolutely beautiful.. it’s sad us as sinners get saved become so prideful into thinking oh now God need my works.. all that’s needed is to divide the word of truth. Humans see works God see’s the faith. Clear and concise
I found my answer I recently asked you, if you were Catholic and this video definitely answered my questions and I thank you for helping me be freed from the conformity of the Catholic religion. ☮️💟✝️JESUS SAVES☮️💟✝️ me alone. Thank you 🙏 p.s what church do you go to and if you don’t, you should start one. You are definitely gifted and have helped me tremendously. God bless you and your family. Always Love, Brother Christopher 🙏
Hey there! I'm glad you went through some of my other previous videos and found that this one helped you so much. I go to a small Christian church here in my town. I suppose if there was a 'denomination' to it, it'd have baptist roots.
If you're wanting to learn more, I highly suggest Mike Winger's channel where he does a playlist on Catholicism. He's very loving and fair with his assessments. Praise God :-)
@@MelissaDougherty thank you for replying so quickly I appreciate it. What is the name of your church and does it have a website? I’m in Connecticut right now but I’m definitely looking for a church to celebrate with.
James 2:14-26
New King James Version
Faith Without Works Is Dead
(It pays to read an entire context of a scripture/verse to gain true and full understanding)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
That particular scripture isn’t about being saved, it has to do with when someone tries to apply the same salvation type of faith to everything (like people be doing to this day) like instead of giving someone food, they’ll say something like they’re going to pray for them. Or instead of doing something that helps them reach a goal, instead of doing something they’ll say they are trusting God to do it in their life. The Bible and writer is just putting balance on our faith walk so we don’t live out our lives understand a false notion that God is going to do everything just because we believe by faith. The Bible is stating that there will be times where we’ll have to do something. A lot of people who believe in God/Jesus, don’t understand that just like sinners or non believers go to work or give to the homeless, we must do the same too. Praying doesn’t remove our responsibility as Christians to do something with our lives. Many of our gifts are not active, and therefore, many of us see the world prospering in every area of our lives, not because God is always making us wait, sometimes it’s because we haven’t been doing anything but living in a Christian fantasy. I mean, the same pastor that preaches living by faith will get you what you desire, is actually not just living by faith but he is actually doing something. This con job has people dependent on something invisible, and the scripture is written to help us all not live in a false belief that isn’t true. May the truth set us all free
Now read the scripture again
James 2:14-26
New King James Version
Faith Without Works Is Dead
(It pays to read an entire context of a scripture/verse to gain true and full understanding)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Girl, the theology here: 🙌🏼👍🏼💯
And your hair: 🙌🏼👍🏼💯
Thank you for your bold defense of Scripture, and for your work helping us all understand other religions and how they view God, Jesus, and salvation. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Please check your information on Catholics...because you are simply wrong thinking you know what Catholics believe. As a Catholic, we DO NOT believe we have to earn our way through works. All we need is Jesus...period! Works, helps authenticates your faith! You want to do good works, because you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Giving "lip service" to God is transparent, to those who truly are Faithful.
Your absolutely right. You can have all the faith in the world but if you don't make a move it's nothing. It's like knowing how to cook and never going in the kitchen
This is such a nuanced concept that a lot of people don’t get it and they’ll fall either on the legalism side, or hyper-grace.
We’re saved by the sacrifice of Jesus alone and we’re supposed to repent and believe. This leads to a complete change: abandoning sin and our own desires to pursue God and His will.
James crossed my mind this week. I am new to being just a plain Christian, I grew up very Catholic, so this has been something I’ve been struggling to accept, but only recently. I God works in mysterious ways since this just popped up on my feed. Thank you!
I recently have been listening and studying with Andrew Farley and this subject caused me to listen to other teaching and I must say this gives me freedom. The truth will set you free. I’m not confused on the book of James anymore. Thank you to the Holy Spirit . God wants us to know the truth.
3:00 Now pause right there. If good works are a result of Salvation, why would James be writing this to BELIEVERS?! Could it be because they were actually not working??
So therefore, is it possible for a truly saved person to not be working??
Do you see how stating:- "good works are A RESULT of Salvation" is still preaching a works Salvation??
I hope you do.
Important topic :) I grew up believing one could loose their salvation and it was scary. It was kind of a way to keep people from “sinning”, and kept people completely unaware of how sinful we truly are. I also thought it was my prayer asking Jesus to come into my heart that saved me.
It’s way more encouraging spiritually to believe, repent and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It makes sense to me like that Bible verse you referenced says, I can look at myself in the mirror and see that I am saved and a follower of Christ, but if I walk away from that mirror and live completely in opposition to the truth that Jesus is my Lord and reject the leading of the Holy Spirit, I forget who I am and contradict that reflection in the mirror.
Hi Susan, do not be deceived. Jesus teaches always you can lose your salvation. This false saved by faith grace gospel is from Paul. Read Jesus words over Paul’s.
@@TheShutterbug1968 the whole Bible is the written word of God. All of it is good for teaching. Can you give references to what you mean?
This is the most clarity I have received from anyone regarding this topic. Thank you so much for this video 🙏🏽👍🏼👏🏽
Yes, crystal clear to me! @Melissa Doherty thank you so much!
Agreed completely. When I first discovered salvation by grace in its fullest meaning, I used to be repulsed by the James passage. But in time, as I grew deep in the grace and knowledge of Christ, I also came to the same understanding, that our expectation of ourselves, and of others in the faith, is not contrary to the salvation-by-grace-alone faith at all. Actually, now more than ever, I comfort myself with James' demand: "show me your faith with your works," as I see glaring inconsistencies that damage our testimony to the world. I'm now sharing with James his frustration.
Ιm an orthodox. Never have I ever thought that whatever great deeds we do or even if we did everything good (we can't obviously ) we deserve paradise. We are always unworthy, always don't deserve it, because God validated us upon birth yet still we sin! It's only by God's grace, YET we need to do good deeds and try to behave and mimic Jesus ❤️😀
I just realized that the saving that faith in jesus brings does not only apply to being able to enter heaven, but it is also being saved from your own sin that you were doing before you were saved that leads to destruction, depression, broken relationships, etc.
You are wonderful. I feel there's more and more christians or religious thinkers coming out and exploring ideas rationally, and focusing on the source - the scriptures. So much harm has been made to the word of God, due to cultists, pathological liars and sociopaths. This is why a lot of people resent religion or christianity, and it's absolutely crucial that more people like you represent the gospel and its meaning in a thruthful manner. The biggest problem with any religion is its complexity, and thus discerning true faith vs false faith, but you among others help combat this issue.
I'm really happy you connected these verses with the Galatians epistle, before I made the connection I felt serious depression and confusion but now have a better understanding. God Bless and have a wonderful day
I am a catholic. I don't think you understand the catholic worldview. We believe that paid it all on the cross, and we believe we are saved by God's mercy. There is no list of good works you need to do in catholicism. We acknowledge that works flow from faith and your faith should shape your deeds. As I watched the video I agreed with many things and they were actually things that catholicism teachers I think we are coming from the same. God is not an idiot he judges by the truth and what he sees in a heart.
I really reccomed you to watch this video speaking about works: th-cam.com/video/bUOscYtlWcs/w-d-xo.html
I'm sure as a Catholic you are aware of your church's teaching about purgatory... which is the opposite of what you claim here. "We believe that paid it all on the cross"... no, that is not catholic.
Thank you Melissa. This was a great way to start off the New Year for me. I love how clear and articulate you are.
Galatians next to James: men cannot see faith, only God can. It is that faith that saves you. Though men cannot see faith, they see the results of that faith in good works.” Love this summary!!
You explain the bible so beautifully. I needed this video today. God Bless you and happy new year! 💞
Hi there!
Did you watch the video?
Masterfully done.I am convicted and inspired.The only thing I would add and emphasize is the renewing of the mind by reading the word.It feeds our faith.I believe that's where a lot of believers are falling short.And I think we don't read as much because the preachers we listened made us afraid.So there is a lot of self condemnation.In Churches I attended people were basically attacked with scriptures.So people have their guard up even when it comes to the Bible.They feel like I can't find anymore stuff about how bad I am and how much I upset God.The good news was never seen as good news to them.Thank you so much for your channel I believe God has led me to be refreshed within by a believer who loves the word.I feel like I can start to love the word again two now.
This is so good. I saved it to my favorites so I can keep coming back to it, and I love the marriage analogy.
Happy New Year to you Melissa! God bless you and your family and keep making these videos. They really help. ♥
Very sharp lady 👍 God bless you and your family
A lot of good points are made in this video. I like the do and done explanation regarding religions. Jesus did it all. As he said, "It is finished." Done.
Yet we are still here. People are being born, and people are dying. So, even though it is finished or done, this world is still going on as it has since he said those words, which means we are obviously supposed to be doing something. But what are we supposed to be doing? And what exactly is finished or done?
Well, what is finished or done is what Jesus said he came to do, which is to fulfill the law and the prophets, to accomplish their purpose. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of Israel. He accomplished their mission, to be a light to the nations. AND he also gave himself as the sacrificial lamb to atone for the sins of the world. He became and did everything that God wanted him to be and do.
So, where does that leave us today? What are we supposed to be doing?
Well, what did Jesus tell us to do?
"Abide in me."
"Keep my commandments."
Those are a few.
He said other things, obviously. Some things that he spoke to people in the gospel records can be considered commandments for all of us, I think. Take the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, which is sin, and was brought before him. He told her to go and "sin no more."
Some professing Christians today teach that it is impossible for us to not sin. I didn't realize Jesus was in the business of commanding people, especially his people, to do impossible things. I'm thinking if Jesus commands something, then there must be a way to obey his commandment.
Maybe that ability has something to do with abiding in him. But what does it mean to abide in Jesus? That's the $64,000 question, isn't it? Is it saying a prayer one time, inviting him into your heart, then thinking you've got a ticket into heaven? Is it going to church and doing what the pastor says? Is it studying your Bible and doing 'good' things?
I find it interesting that the Hebrew name of Jesus means God is our salvation. So, if we truly abide in Jesus, then we are abiding in God, our salvation. The way I understand it, people don't "get saved." Salvation is not a gift we possess. Salvation is everything God has done for mankind in and through Jesus, and we either abide in Jesus or we abide outside of Jesus.
So, again, the big question is, what does it mean to abide in Jesus? What does that look like? How does one do it and continue doing it? What happens if one does not abide in him?
Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me."
God calls the whole world, but not everyone answers that call.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Jesus is the chosen one. Many are called to abide in him, but few actually do abide in him.
Who will stand with Jesus at the very end? Who will be in the chosen one?
The called, and chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14
That's not three different groups of people. That's one group of people who answered his call and abided in him by being faithful.
What's the equivalent of being faithful? Being obedient, maybe? Keeping his commandments?
Maybe "works" in the book of James often actually means "obedience." It wasn't the work of offering Isaac upon the altar that justified Abraham, it was his obedience to God in giving up that which he loved the most, the embodiment of the promise God had made to him.
It was Peter's obedience to Jesus when Peter stepped out of the boat into the raging sea and started walking on the water toward Jesus that gave life to Peter's faith. But then his fear caused him to pause, and his pause was disobedience, so his faith then died, and he began to sink. While Peter obeyed in spite of the raging sea, his faith was alive and kept him above the water and moving toward his lord. The second he disobeyed, his faith was no longer a living faith.
So, maybe abiding in Jesus, who IS salvation, means faithfully obeying his commandments steadfastly. He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."
But it never says faith alone in the Bible so matter-of-fact it says the opposite it is not faith alone
Thank you for explaining it so well. I am blessed to be in a church with expository teaching and James was explained this way but sadly so many churches use this scripture and totally ignore the other scriptures.
It's so funny how she keeps contradicting herself and the scriptures addresses the issue perfectly well.
"You can't make Jesus your savior and not make him your lord" 14:45
Money quote, Melissa. Love your work, and thank you.
Indeed✨
@@radixreuel7631 That's Lordship Salvation. But the Bible does not say that. Jesus said he who believes on Him has eternal life (John 6:47). Discipleship comes after salvation.
You don’t make Jesus Lord. He already is. We all sin-when we are sinning-are we making Him Lord? Not at that moment. We all fall short.
I'm really thankful for your videos, I was in a hard place in my walk with Christ and i started to lose hope and find myself more lost in the world but God used you to draw me closer to Him and like i just pray He continues to bless your ministry and what your doing. Thank you :)
I love you Melissa, God bless you for making this video. You are going to change so many of Gods people lives. All Glory to God.
@Melissa Dougherty, I admire your passion for the study and explanation of the Word!
Great teaching, Melissa, thank you! What helps me understand that verse is to sub the word “love” for faith. Love without works is dead being alone. You don’t just SAY you love someone yet never lift a finger to show you love them. Love is a verb. In a way, so is faith. J. Warner Wallace gave the example of a cop demonstrating his faith in a new bullet-proof vest by taking a bullet at point blank range.
I love this! I'll have to remember this 🙂 thanks for sharing
Am thankful for your post...was not sure what was looking for, or if was actually looking. The only thing am sure is you have given me a fresh look into the that God gave me...had jumped to many places,had abandoned many fellowships,have actually remained home because am incapable of believing or trusting any person at all, but there is something different about you, and am hoping this is the answered to my personal prayers, hope it will be confirmed as well...forgive me am not trying to be rude,or wrong in anyway,but am tired and subsequently have become upsent from it all. And now feeling sick,tired,but in all of this am still hungry thirsty for the truth! Hope you wont mind helping me come into true understanding and discernment of Who GOD,Christ,Holy Spirit is, and to find out if am still a child of GOD,or has GOD left me, as many had accepted of me,thank you for sharing,and also for reading,may GOD keep on blessing you for this love that you are sharing with us
God bless you Melissa, keep it up and don't give up on teaching us the right gospel.
Martin Luther wanted to remove the book of James and Hebrews from the New Testament while he was a professor. He felt the two books were too Jewish and they definitely didn't agree with his teachings about "Faith Alone" By the way, the word "alone" or "alein" in German can't be found in the New Testament.
I wanted to wait till the end to comment. I was disagreeing until you said “dead faith does not save you”. I think that is the problem here. Some like to take the extremes to prove something wrong.
One will say “works is not required by a believer because we are saved by faith alone”
Another will say “We are saved by faith +works”
From what I am understanding the Greek word for faith is PISTIS. A better English word for it would be ALLEGIANCE. When we are saved we are saying we are declaring allegiance to God and the finishing work of Christ.
If you are truly saved, your works won’t seem like works, it’s the natural outflow of your salvation.
If you have no works, how can you say you ever was saved.
"If you are truly saved, your works won’t seem like works, it’s the natural outflow of your salvation." - Beautifully said. I completely agree.
I like this description.
I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to add something. The last person to accept Christ before hos death was the thief on the cross. He was never baptized, never in church, never did a single good work in his life and Jesus said that he will be in paradise with Him today.
That fact alone should put an end to everyone who thinks the works are tallied up and counted against the sins at the pearly gates to determine whether or not someone is "good enough" to enter. Faith in Christ is what *saves* but if that faith is *real* it will produce good works. If that thief wasnt dying he would have changed his ways and the rest of his life on earth would have been different.
This is a very important distinction.
There is a difference in giving your life to Christ before you die and being a Christian for a while. We think we can punch a clock and not get paid. God is not a time clock. You have to do the work of the Lord. But you know not what work to be done unless you are lead by the spirit.
I praise our Lord and Saviour for you Melissa! You have helped me beyond measure, to understand God's Word. Please, please, continue your ministry!❤🙏
Love this. I’ve been a Christian for a while but I could listen to this everyday. So beautifully put!
Excellent...loved the way you listed "works!"
totally loved that part - made it so clear
Hey Melissa! I respect your search for truth and the work you have done to research. Being Catholic I have to disagree about the requirements you mentioned our faith has about being saved. There are some great resources you can check out, like Bishop Barron and Word on Fire ministries on social media like You Tube and podcasts. Fr.Mike Schmitt is also great at answering questions about the Catholic faith. “Why We Are Catholic” by Trent Horn is a great resource for non-Catholics as well as Catholics to understand some of the reasons behind our faith. Being a person who does her due diligence I think these will be resources you will love. You have great questions and these are just a couple of places to get the answers you’re looking for. God bless you in your faith journey. 😊🙏🏼❤️
The best explanation of James I have ever heard.I know you are Spirit led. I look forward to more from Jesus from you. Keep it up Sister
I look at it as a horse and buggy. The horse being grace and the buggy being works. The buggy does not go before the horse. The horse goes first and then the buggy will follow
Wonderful and wise! You are a marvelous teacher and pastor. Thank you!
Wow ! A beautiful woman teaching the pure gospel of Christ. Thank you. I love you.
No one can be saved by works BUT works are “evidence” of our faith. If there is no evidence of faith then there is probably no faith. If we say we have faith with no evidence ( works ) how can we “prove” to ourselves or anyone else we have faith ….without the “evidence / work”? It is then IMPOSSIBLE to prove. In that sense then faith without works is dead or “nonexistent”. We are saved by faith not works….but works “prove” our faith. Why is that so hard for some people to understand ?
Repent is that a work? Be Baptized, is that a work? Yes they are and are a true show of your faith in the Gospel.
No, repentance is definitely not a work that you do. It is just like faith in that they're both attitudes of the heart. Both do show their in what a person does or how they live. True saving faith manifests itself in works of righteousness and holiness, and repentance lives on in the refusal to practice sin and move on to obedience as a life-style.
It sounds like you're seeking credit for your own salvation. Don't do that, it's a GIFT given out of love, not something you're EARNING or deserving. Repentance is just the means by which you accept the gift already offered. How could you accept Christ without repenting ? That would be accepting and rejecting Him at the same time ! If you are talking about repentance AFTER you have accepted the GIFT of salvation, that's just regretting that you have temporarily gone the wrong way, and turning back to Christ again. That's not about salvation (you've ALREADY been saved by Christ's atonement on the cross), it's just about regretting that you've been unfaithful and turning back again. I wouldn't call that a 'work' just seeking forgiveness. A 'work' would be trying to EARN forgiveness. You can't do it ! The New Testament says that Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners," not only "after we repented." Christ died for SINNERS, not for GOOD people----people who had made themselves 'good enough' to be 'worthy' of salvation. Christ's love is unconditional. He loves the UN-repentant too. The problem is not that He doesn't love them, it's that they don't love Him ! He is offering the FREE gift of salvation (the word 'grace' MEANS 'UN-merited favor'), they are rejecting it . ...and as for baptism, the thief next to Jesus on the other cross was never baptized, yet Jesus said to him "Today you will be with me in Paradise". Baptism is a symbol of your repentance and rebirth, not a 'work' ----an attempt to EARN God's grace.
@@CarlMCole repentance is realizing you dont want to continue your sins. You cant stop sinning by yourself, you need God's help. He helps you by putting you through trials and tribulations, have you had a Job like experience yet? Its the scariest verse in the Bible to me, when it say's God disciplines those he loves >.
@@michi-bi repentance is realizing you have sinned and need God for salvation. U come to God as you are, you don't shape up and hate sin before you come to God. I mean you could but that's not required for repentance.
By faith we are saved but by works we are judged.
By works we are rewarded if the works fit into the gospel of grace. I guess that is what you meant.
@@tims.449 ..if you're saved. Just because you did good works, doesn't mean your saved. matt 7:21
***Matthew 25:41-46
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
38:00 "you can't have the Holy Spirit and live like the world"
Didn't Paul write to Christians encouraging them not to live like the world? He didn't say they weren't saved or that they lacked The HolySpirit, but that they should stop sinning.
yes you are right. Look up PDF online:
Faith Without Works Is Dead What Does It Mean? A detailed study on one of the most controversial passages in the Bible.. By Dr. Thomas M. Cucuzza.
yes, you can have Jesus as your Savior and not LORD to be saved. After Salvation is then sanctification. Andy Woods explains it so well in his Soteriology study.
"Works is the evidence of a saving faith". Great ending words that really nailed it.
I see works as the fruit or consequence of faith (and fear of God). I want to do good things because I want to show Jesus my love for him for what he did on the cross, and the fear of God keeps me focused because everything that I do and think is recorded and will be accounted for.
So if I'm to understand what you're saying correctly: You're faith will make you WANT to do works? Make you WANT to do better for God? I've been finding that since I've started reading the bible, and consuming Christian content like this That I've not been caring about worldly things as much. I don't care about politics anymore. I still really like my videogames, but I feel bad if I don't watch at least ONE sermon, or ONE Christ centered video when I get home from work. I pray every day, and talk about faith and God, and Jesus daily with my mother (who has been a HUGE part in finding Jesus) I slip up yes. There are still some sinful things that I catch myself doing, but I ALWAYS feel guilty, and I WANT to do better.
Recently, even though I know my faith in Jesus has saved me I don't FEEL like I'm saved. I didn't feel much of anything when I prayed before God crying and accepting Jesus as my savior, but I've noticed that I've felt more peace in my life in the past few months than I ever have in any point in my life before. I still doubt myself, and I'm worried, and afraid. But isn't that a sign that I am in fact saved? I don't know. I know this transformation doesn't happen over night, but There's still so much anxiety, and fear. Or there was until I saw this video.
I've been praying for this. I've been so scared that I might lose my salvation or that my salvation never came. I started worrying about this today at work, and it's been like a sickness in my heart. Yet here is your video. Bless you Melissa. Thank you so much! I'm a prodigal son. I slip up, often. Not nearly as bad I used to, but I still cuss, I still think indecent thoughts every now and then, but I always regret, and pray, and ask for forgiveness. NO sooner do I do that I feel a wave of warmth wash over me. Thank you Jesus for what you did for us on that cross. We were not worthy, but you died on that cross for us anyway. You paid a debt you did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. For that I am eternally grateful, and I hope and pray that you touch more hearts and show them the truth that is your love and grace, Amen!
If you have been born again of the Holy Spirit, works become you nature
"Yeah nah"...for SAFETY sakes I am just sticking with what James said in the BIBLE. If James is wrong then I am saved because I had the faith but I would be really eternally unhappy if I got up there for judgement and Jesus says "Where are your deeds/works etc?..I judge you on both like James told you". SAFETY people do both 😁
Please let me know where James says that we get _judged_ on both.
Milissa I believe God sent me on a journey to discover you on TH-cam last night. It's a deceptive world out there full of falsehoods and it's refreshing to listen to you and the Divine truth you bring. May the Lord bless you in your ministry, you are a blessing to us
Catholics do not believe in works based salvation. We believe we are saved by grace. Only God can save. But we do believe that we must live out our faith. We cooperate with grace and that leads to us doing works, not because it saves us. We do them because we love the lord and works helps to bring the lord to our neighbors so He is made known to those who don't believe him or don't know him. You can leave Catholics off this list
I'm a friend, a believer & I use the Moody Bible Commentary (not Reformed but, like many of their doctrines) & listen to Dr. Michael Brown from the Line of Fire. If, the Bible is a easy as you portray it, Mrs. Dougherty, we wouldn't need apologists like you. I find it impossible to stick with a few doctrines for very long without telling myself, "Somethings are mysteries we will discover in Heaven or on the New Earth". MY POINT: What about good works giving us like, rewards in Heaven or the Millennial reign of Messiah? Are there two biblical definitions of "good works"? "And He said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you were faithful in very little, you are to be having authority over ten cities.'", Luke 19:17, 19:11-27. I always say this to or about a friend that is a real "mensch" or someone that is knowledgeable, good at many things & helpful to lots of people, "Can I borrow some of your treasures in Heaven, you'll have more than you need". Is this a sanctification process that has rewards?
The justification process is one reward or pay off for everyone who believes=trust=has faith in the Son of GOD. Matthew 20:1-16. "13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”, Mat 20:13-16.
Machine gunning fallacy doesn't really fit here because, we have plenty of time to read the verses you quote. Maybe I could call it the Proof Text Fallacy, where you quote many verses that agree with your theory but, don't bring out "all" the Bible verses that wouldn't or might confuse the issue. We have much too much of this but, as soon as you turn on the TV or Media or go to college they present all the evidence that destroys any churches or cults arguments in about a minute or two. Now, I'm not complaining about you & your apologetics. I've subscribed & you are one of my reliable sources. You did clarify many tricky verses but, sometimes a slightly off-topic Bible verse can get a Christian to stumble away from all of your information. As I asked, if there is treasure in heaven then we are working to get the treasure & running cities in the millennium? If, this is true you should have a lot of joyful responsibilities in the next life! Thank you!
also James 1:1 explain to whom he is speaking too. this is not for the body of christ since none of us are part of the 12 tribe of Israel, God bless you.
Videos about the James "issue" should last at most 5minutes.
1. James 1:1 clearly shows its written towards Israel.
2. (Especially) the last chapter shows that the context is tribulation times.
3. Contrary to what Bible Scholars claim, it was not written by James brother of Jesus, rather by the (apostle) James son of Zebedee who died as a martyr prior to the gathering of the whole Church in Acts 15 (also the book was most probably written when the Body of Christ consisted solely of Jews and prozelytes - thats actually a pretty solid period that lasts until acts 10, and morr so,one big event that didnt occur until then was, apostle Paul getting
one of the many mysteries revealed as he says, directly by Jesus - which is, the Gospel of Salvation by faith alone).
Once you get this straight there is not much left to debate on that topic
Thank you for in-depth study. God bless you!
I love the way you broke this down... especially the example of the wedding ring, it gives a great perspective on the concept of this topic. it's something I struggle with at times a lot of confusion has come out of the church that I left, so thank you for the way that you broke this down to make it easy to understand. 🙏
Every society has laws. How is possible to exist in such a society? Aren't you constantly living in terror because you may be arrested at any moment and be put to death? Well no. Societies have laws because the alternative is lawlessness. And the punishments fit the crimes. Not every traffic ticket is capital punishment. To give citizens a blanket pardon for anything and everything might relieve some anxiety but it would cause mayhem.
25:53
26:40
Romans 4:2-5 KJV
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Nice Breakdown! I'll keep my eyes open for your Galatians video.^^
You claim that salvation is by ‘faith only’. Then, you describe 2 different types of faith. One faith necessarily exhibits a heart of obedience to do what God has commanded. The other refuses to do those things and is dead. Yes, the other side is saying the same thing. An ‘obedient faith’ (Rom. 1:5 & 16:26) is a saving faith. Therefore, both are necessary as you have defined the 2 types of faith.
If I concede that some who believe that obedience is necessary for salvation have gone too far, will you concede that some who believe that faith only is sufficient have also gone too far? This is not a logical argument but an emotional one.
Salvation necessarily containing man’s imperfect obedience does not equal legalism. That is a straw man. And, so is the argument that some believe that they’re going to turn in a list of their good works to God. Cite sources.
Yes, Jesus’ work on the cross is finished, but that didn’t bring about Universal Salvation. What separates the saved from the unsaved? It must necessarily be something personal, because if not, we would all be saved as God has said is His will.
The context of Isa 64 is an apostate, unrepentant Israel bringing their filthy, meaningless worship before God. Nowhere in the passage is it even implied that the worship is no longer required. The apostate Israel was unclean, making their worship ‘filthy’. This does not mean all worship is filthy. It shows that it is man’s heart that is more important than his physical actions, but not that his physical actions are meaningless. Both are required.
Your marriage analogy seems wrong to me as well. The ring is meaningless. It’s a tradition outside the Bible. What matters is the heart of the individuals who have made the covenant with God and their obedience to it. Both are required. We must (imperfectly) love one another, and we must be faithful to our promise to not leave and stay faithful. What is a better outward sign, a ring or a man or woman loving and remaining faithful to their spouse? That is the outward sign, and it is still required as part of the covenant. Just because something may be an outward sign of something, that does not make it discretionary to the covenant.
Very good and helpful teaching! Thank you and praise God! 🙂
It is finished, you got it sister.
Hampster-wheel Religion, what an intriguing label!
Does that mean if I believe and I pray and I repeatedly keep sinning and yet I’m asking for help in my prayers and trying my best to stop that I will not be saved. That I’m rejecting Jesus the lord.?
A lot of people misunderstand the meaning of "works" in this context. It shouldn't be taken literally. Works are not about feeding 10 homeless people to fill your "Good christian" quota. By "works" the Gospel means what we actually do to express our faith, trust and love in Christ. That is why the example with Abraham is given - he was willing to do the most painful and hearbreaking thing possible instead of following his own heart and wishes. We do works as a result of our faith and devotion to Christ, NOT as a form of bargaining between humans and God. This is what politheists were doing in Antiquity.
This is a REALLY GREAT video. I really loved the “you can’t just make Jesus your Savior and not make Him your Lord” quote. Bless you Melissa. ❤️
I'm wondering how would I be able to choose the right Christian church since I've been told that there is over 45,000 denominations of christianity. All of them saying that they teach the truth. The right way to follow and the best ways of experiencing God's love for us.
Even Martin Luther acknowledged that James was saying that works are necessary. That is why he tried to remove the book from the New Testament. Look, in the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus is clear that the Sola Fide goats were not saved and the sheep who had good works were saved. Both the Sheep and the Goats had faith but only the Sheep were saved.
I find this passage in James very well explained. I like the explanation that there is a theological definition and a non theological definition of justification.
Melissa, you have a gift for explaining these things in such an accessible and engaging way. Thank you for making these videos. ❤
Thus is the MOST AMAZING message. Thankyou for your love to share the Lord's truth.
This has always confused me.
I know that when we receive Jesus our hearts will change, and we will try to be obey because we receive a new heart, but is there a difference in wanting to keep God's commands, and in doing other good works, as in feeding, clothing the poor & hungry?
It seems the disciples still followed God's commands along with Jesus new law. (Love your neighbor)
This is very confusing to me when some say we are not to try to keep Gods commandments, because I believe we will want to keep them, because we have the Power of the Holy Spirit helping us.
lisa solis you’re right. If the Holy Spirit indwells the believer the believer will be guided into righteousness. Meaning, not our works but by the power of the Holy Spirit can we be capable of turning from dark to light.
So is being saved a one time event, where you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Done deal? Can't be unsaved?
I think you just contradicted yourself. It sounds like works is still important.
Read the church father's and Luther's interpretation of James.
I think the contemporary interpretation is getting away from original interpretation.
Even the LORD Jesus told us to seek salvation daily and deny the world in the book of Luke. OSAS is part of the modern “feel good” seminary teachings.
Luke 9:23 KJV
“And HE said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Wonderful job
ALL cults are destroyed when you do a 2 Tim 2:15, and you learn how to rightly divide the word of truth.
The Bible (kjv) says..
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
(All other versions of the King James remove the word "study")
James wasnt talking to us. He said so in the first chapter:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Peace and grace
Go on
I can't wait for the next video to this. Looking forward to it......
Melissa, you are an amazing teacher. I’m glad YT recommended this channel.
Thank you 🙏
This video is a Total misunderstanding of what the Catholic teaches on “faith and works”. Please go to a catholic reputable web site and read. --Blessings
Moses....no it's not with love. I know Catholic for 57 years and finally left.
Confession, not eating before Eucharist, alms to Archdiocese, money to church/poor, attending mandatory Mass on Sundays as well as special days and daily if you can, lenten practices, rosary, wearing a special saints mantle, prayers to God for the dead to avoid purgatory and there's more!
Melissa thank you so much for making this video, it was super helpful for me x
Im starting to change my mind about parts of my faith. To me it seems like most christians need an excuse so they can keep sinning. It doesnt feel right for me. There are many verses supporting works and not just faith alone, and those verses are pretty clear to me. Im going to do some more study on this.
It may be true that some Christians make excuses for their sin but I don't see how that has anything to do with salvation being a gift from God and that salvation is received by faith alone. If we add works to faith we are saying that what Jesus did on the cross..dying for our sin is not enough.
Plz remember that as Christians we will be judged by Jesus at the Bema Seat. We will either receive rewards or not. Maybe some Christians take eternal life for granted and stop right there..not growing, maturing..allowing God to do as He wills in them. Also, plz bear in mind that many Christians are very unhealed and many need deliverance prayer. Some have generational curses because of the sins of previous generations. Spiritual warfare is seldom taught in the church.
None of us get away with anything.
You are absolutely right. There are HUNDREDS of verses supporting "works", but they're not verses about salvation. Salvation is just the first STEP (accepting Christ and starting to get to know Him)----and salvation IS a FREE GIFT. After that first step though the whole Christian life is ABOUT following Christ ("Take up your cross and follow Me" He said. And "You are My friends if you DO what I command you." ). There is no such thing as an "excuse to keep sinning" . ("Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap" It was a Christian saying that ! ). Anyone who thinks they can DEFY God, reject His will, and NOT pay for it should think again ! Nowhere in Scripture does it suggest that God forgives UN-repentant sinners ! To quote the Apostle Paul "Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall".
@@joolspools777
Christians finding excuses for their sins is a huge problem. Not only are we called to accept Yeshua, Love Him and our neighbors; we are also called to not be of the world and to hate what Yeshua hates.
Finding excuses for sin means you love that sin, and if you love that sin the love for Yahweh is not in you. This is in the New Testament multiple times but Christians ignore them.
@@CarlMCole The states over and over about doing good works through
Jesus Christ. Catholics don't believe we earn salvation through our works!
Its grace by our good works, like grace by faith. So yes good works is part of
true salvation.
Recently discovered your channel and it has been life changing. Thank you for blessing us with your videos. Learning a lot
Me too ! Yay ! She’s so awesome 😎
Melissa, I so needed to see this video. I'm a born again Christian, but I struggle with the idea that I haven't done enough to actually be saved and get to Heaven and make it up in the Rapture. I have talked to my pastor and he assured me that I'm saved and I don't need to do anything else. I felt good for a while, but a few days later, I was struggling again. Then I found your video. I'm not saying your video is better than what my pastor told me...it was true. But for some reason, I needed to hear and and see it presented in this way. THANK YOU
I know that a branch is successfully grafted, when new leaves, flowers and then fruit appears.
Life is drawn from the root, through the trunk, with no works of the branch, but of receiving life by faith in our relationship with the True Vine.
We can only bear good fruit that is natural and healthy when our faith humbly draws grace from that Vine!
Without that fruit, how well are we abiding?
promiskept I like this example
@Natalie Arlene Ephesians 2:10 Paul said that He has prepared us works beforehand (I think this passage was quoted in the video). Because of this, I don't think there is a situation in which a Christian would never do good works...just that "good works" are those actions done by/through the will of God. We can only know and do His will through faith/Holy Spirit, not of ourselves. So God is the one who works and gets credit for that work, always.
edit: As in, "works" are not a "have to" or a "must do" to be saved, but a "will do" when the time comes, as a result of being saved. We sin a lot in this life, but we don't "live in sin" as we repent daily and pray for His strength and grace to sustain us until we can rest in heaven.
I always figured that if i'm still alive (as in this life, right now), that means I still have not completed everything God made me to do yet. His redemptive work of salvation was completed on the cross, though.
I needed this. I’ve been questioning and wondering. Thank you for clarifying. 🎉
Wow you just really say it like it is 😊