The Gospel According to Jesus

[ReformedBaptist]

The Gospel According to Jesus, Anniversary Edition, Apendix 1 p.250, James

We have seen already that James denounced faith without works as dead and useless (James 2:17,20). His entire epistle of tests of true faith, all of which are the practical fruits of righteousness in the believer's life: perseverance in trials (1:1-12), obedience to the Word (vv. 13-25), pure and undefiled religion (vv. 26-27), impartiality (2:1-13), righteous works (vv. 14-26), control of the tongue (3:1-12), true wisdom (vv. 13-18), hatred of pride and worldliness (4:1-6), humility and submission to God (vv. 7-17), and right behavior in the body of believers (5:1-20).

On of the most comprehensive invitations to salvation in all the Epistles comes in James 4:7-10. While James directs most of his epistle to genuine believers, it is evident that he is concerned about those who are not genuine. He wants no one to be decieved regarding true salvation, so he calls for a real, living, saving faith that is distinct from the dead faith of chapter 2. He states his objective in 5:20. It is to see "the sinner converted from the error of his way and his soul saved from death."

The invitation in 4:7-10 is directed at thsoe who are not saved--guilty, wicked hearers of the Word who are not doers (cf. 1:21-22); who are still captive to dead faith (cf. 2:14-20); who are bitter, selfish, arrogant liars whose "wisdom is not what comes from above but is earthy, natural, demonic" (3:15); who are loving the world and thus are the enemies of God (4:4); whose inner spirit is still dominated by lusts (cf. 4:5); and who are proud and self-sufficient (cf. 4:6). They are in deperate need of God's grace. But since God only "gives grace to the humble" (v.6), James calls these "sinners" (a term used in Scripture only of the unregenerate) to turn from their pride and humble themselves. Ten imperatives delineate the commands in James's call to sinners: submit yourself to god (salvation); resist the devil (transferring allegiance); draw near to God (intimacy of relationship); cleanse your hands (repentance); purify your hearts (confession); be miserable, mourn, weep, and let your laughter and joy be turned to gloom (sorrow). The final imperative summarizes the mentality of those who are converted: "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord." All this is a work of God, who gives His more abundant grace (4:6).

Typos are mine if there are any. To what He wrote I say Amen. Especially this: All this is a work of God, who gives His more abundant grace (4:6).

 

[TCGreek]

Do we find salvation by the grace of God through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9) anywhere in James 4:7-10? No, we do not, because James is addressing “brethren” some of whom behaved as “carnal” Christians.
LM

I've read and enjoyed much of what Dr. MacArthur has written, but I simply cannot endorse his interpretation of James 4:7-10.

I'm a five-point calvinist, and I know other calvinists are going to question me on this, but I'm going with the Scripture foremost.

If James 4:7-10 and Dr. MacArthur's take on it is what he believes about a person coming to Christ for salvation, he's dead wrong.

 

[Jarthur001]

That's the first I have ever heard someone say the book of James is for jews and not believers.

:BangHead:


James is believed by most to be the 1st book written in the NT. It was before the council of Jerusalem.

Beyond that, the book says it was written to the jews "Twelve tribes"

 

[webdog]

:BangHead:


James is believed by most to be the 1st book written in the NT. It was before the council of Jerusalem.

Beyond that, the book says it was written to the jews "Twelve tribes"

The twelve tribes of the dispersion is clearly the early NT church (which probably had no gentile believers yet)...the universal church. This clearly was true Israel ("not all Israel is Israel"). I have yet to see anyone state it's NOT to the church but only to jews, that was before today at least. I see plenty of strange things here, though.

 

[pinoybaptist]

I haven't a clue what TGATJ is.
snip> It is truly rare to meat someone who is totally devoted to Christ, <snip>

Do you mean "butcher someone" , or slice him with the fork on a plate for a meal ? (sorry, MB, couldn't resist this ..:laugh: ...it's three o'clock in the morning and I can't sleep and I'm feeling wretched thinking I must be at the gym sleep or not.....you made my day, man").

 

[Rippon]

Yeah,time for a levity break.

Whadda' think of all the excessive violins on tv?

 

[Rippon]

I haven't a clue what TGATJ is.

TGATJ = Matthew,Mark,Luke and John!

 

[webdog]

TGATJ = Matthew,Mark,Luke and John!

This is the first I have heard John MacArthur penning the Gospels!

 

[canadyjd]

Typos are mine if there are any. To what He wrote I say Amen. Especially this: All this is a work of God, who gives His more abundant grace (4:6).

Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate the context of MacArthur's statements. He obviously uses abundant scripture to support what he believes.

Well done.

peace to youraying:

 

[canadyjd]

Another LS sympathizer, who never read MacArthur until a few days ago, wrote,....

This is just another inaccurate statement.

It is commonplace for LS sympathizers to dismiss the most egregious errors in JM's teaching by calling them an “overstatement.”

Another mischaracterization of what has been said.

These alleged “overstatements” appear over-and-over in all of MacArthur’s major LS works. He not only reiterates them, he reinforces them.

Another unfounded accusation.

There is no merit to JM's interpreting James 4:7-10 as an “invitation to salvation.” His interpretation of James 4:7-10 affirms that he is teaching a false gospel. It is a radical departure from the Gospel grace.

It has been demonstrated that there is merit to MacArthur's interpretation of James. MacArthur uses scripture to show the context and support his claims.

MacArthur doesn't accuse those who disagree with him of teaching a "false gospel". He sticks with scripture in context, and lets God's word speak the truth to those who will hear it.

JM redefines the Gospel into a message of commitment to works to be born again.

John MacArthur believes a person is "born again" by the work of Holy Spirit, i.e. regenerated, prior to faith and completely a work of God. Therefore, this constant assertion has been demonstrated to be untrue on numerous occasions.

JM is teaching a false, works-based, Gospel.

Untrue.

Behavior is LS’s key to salvation.

God is the key to LS salvation. Salvation is completely a work of God from start to finish. That is the key to understanding LS.

peace to youraying:

 

[webdog]

Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate the context of MacArthur's statements. He obviously uses abundant scripture to support what he believes.

Well done.

peace to youraying:

I'm not seeing how, since pre faith regeneration is not supported by the Scriptures.

 

[canadyjd]

I'm not seeing how, since pre faith regeneration is not supported by the Scriptures.

I disagree.

peace to youraying: