I felt the same way until I reread James 2 and realized it is talking to Christians. It is not talking about salvation but about attitudes.
Look at James 2:1-6
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (King James Version. )
He is talking about respect of persons. Attitudes we have toward the rich and the poor. Now the most debated part starts in James Chapter 2, vs14-20 Realize the word for dead means fruitless. That which doesn't bear fruit. Think about it…..
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
It is saying that if someone comes to your door and he is hungry and cold and you don't give him something to eat or a jacket to keep warm…. Will (here's the key) "YOUR" faith save him"
The answer is no!
But save him from what? Being cold and hungry…. If your next door neighbor gives him something to eat and a coat…. Who do you think he will listen to if one of you try to tell him about Christ? Your faith is dead (fruitless)
Also, it keeps saying. "…. A MAN may say…." It doesn't say God says. Can faith save him… Absolutely Not! But save him from what…. (It is not talking about Hell here, but this man's physical needs)
Vs. 22 is good. It says… KJV "Seest thou (who?... you) how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect, (proven)
Realize man looks on the outward actions. God looks on the heart. I Samuel 16:7
Now the clincher….
You always compare scripture with scripture. If the word is CLEAR in one place and in another the word could be interpreted in a couple of different ways, then you must take the one that agrees with the clear scripture. Make sense?
Look at Hebrews 10:26 This is a killer for those who think they can lose their salvation.
It says…" For if we sin WILFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth NO MORE sacrifice for sins."
This verse can only be interpreted one of two ways.
1. If we commit a willful sin after we have received what Jesus did for us… then we lose our salvation and can NEVER be saved again.
WHY? Because there is NO MORE sacrifice. And if those sins are not paid for then we have to pay for them and that means an eternity away from God.
2 Or the only other meaning is….. That EVEN if we sin willfully there is no more sacrifice…. Why?
Lets compare Scripture with Scripture...
Still in Hebrews, go back a few verses in Chapter 10 to verses 10-14
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
See the answer?
Because the ONE sacrifice Jesus made was for ALL sin. Past, Present, Future, Willful and Non willful.
Just a thought.
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