swaimj
In the book of James though chapter 2 verses 14-26 it explains that if we say we have faith but have not works then our faith cannot SAVE US.
verses
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.
21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22: Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
And even though it is true that Abraham was justified apart from his works, the Bible ALSO explains that we prove we have no faith if we dont have the works. So if we are saved by faith... what faith is it we have if we have no works? DEAD FAITH... which is worthless.
You have to read all of the scriptures that talk about this subject and then kind of weigh them equally, or give them equal weight, I might say.
Thats why the Bible can say on one hand that we are justified by faith without works then it turns around and says that we are justified by works and not just by faith.
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
If we go around claiming that we have faith but we actually dont DO anything, would you say that person has actual true, genuine, living faith?
Claudia