Context often determines a word's meaning. For instance, "<I>salvation</I>" can refer to something temporal or eternal and to something physical or spiritual.
The apostle Paul was referring to the believer's eternal salvation when he wrote, "for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The apostle James, on the other hand, used "<I>save</I>" to refer to a believer's deliverance from the temporal consequences of sin such as in the case of restoring a believer's health (5:15) or preserving a believer's life. (5:20)
James was stressing the need for Christians to put their faith to work (2:14-26), to be doers of the word. (1:22)
He said that faith (correct beliefs) without works (good deeds) is like giving our best wishes to a destitute brother or sister when what he or she needs is food and clothing. (2:15-16)
By itself, he said, faith is useless (2:20) because faith cannot accomplish the needed result; works are necessary.
Simply believing God's word cannot save a Christian, (1:15) but being a doer of the word can. (1:21-22)
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.