We have all heard the biblical quote of "Faith without works is dead". So, what then exactly are these works?

Many people say that simply beign a good Christian and regularly gong to church are works. But how can that be works? How can sitting in church each week and being a good person be considered works? :confused:

Your feedback please :cool:

Hi again Life.

I take that to mean, drying the tears, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, loving our neighbors, and sharing God's love.

I would think those would be works.

It's a works with LOVE

We have all heard the biblical quote of "Faith without works is dead". So, what then exactly are these works? Many people say that simply beign a good Christian and regularly gong to church are works. But how can that be works? How can sitting in church each week and being a good person be considered works? :confused: Your feedback please :cool:
I understand that to mean : LIVING ACCORDINGLY TO THE TEACHINGS OF THAT SAME FAITH.
So placing love above hatred, forgiveness above revenge, good works above selfish enrichment and own interests, etc.
Millions upon millions sit every Sunday in their churches, while the poor of this world die from starvation, hundreds of innocent victims die from US bullets out of US guns activated by US fingers, the world economy (i.e. our own interests) goes before that of the needed in the third world, and through selfish pollution the earth and nature go through very hard times that let harvests fail, seawater level rise, and threathens the most feeble on a worldwide scale.
And US Americans have front seats in that hypocrite spectacle. They show "faith without the works". Their "faith works" seem as dead as the legendary Dodo!
.
Of course other countries also contribute to these effects, but nowhere else the world population is making such a joke of their faith by failing to accompany it with "the works".
.

"Works", in my opinion, is almost anything but thought. The New testament is full of telling us what to do and how to act. All of that is works.

Turning the other cheek, speaking kindly to those who persecute us, feeding the poor, clothing the naked...

Works is (one sort of) evidence of Faith. If there is no evidence, then the Faith is dead.

"Works", in my opinion, is almost anything but thought. The New testament is full of telling us what to do and how to act. All of that is works.

Turning the other cheek, speaking kindly to those who persecute us, feeding the poor, clothing the naked...

Works is (one sort of) evidence of Faith. If there is no evidence, then the Faith is dead.

So basically, just be a shining example of God's love? In words, actions and thoughts?

LOL Now you know what the poor nuns in school had to put up with, when they had me in their class :):). But it was always my favorite class. But for some reason I never wanted to be a nun. Thank Goodness.



Thanks.

As per the above answers, faith produces action. Faith (for the Christian) is not feeling, it is accepting that God says what He means, and means what He says.

Most of what I have seen posted so far, is telling me that esentially - Be a good person, go to church. While the comment was made (good comment by the way Allheart) that we should feed the hungry, help the poor etc. we really do not see folks doing this. So then the question arises - How can someone claim to be a good Christian, expecting a heavenly reward , yet do nothing more then donate a few bucks here and there, and go to church? Essencially, I guess it is fair to say that the majority of Christians out there will indeed not be found favorable by God, due to their lack of "actual" works.

So, how does that sit with everyone?

While the comment was made that we should feed the hungry, help the poor etc. we really do not see folks doing this...

You don't see it? What planet do you live on? :confused:

The sad truth is... the good that is being done... is never really publized, the good just quietly to about doing good and the news only seems to highlight the negative at times.

I think we can do more and I think we would agree on that.

It is so funny, this morning, I picked up my Mother Teresa book, because she is so good,
And the page that I turned to was this...

Page 53 "There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love."

What a beautiful woman she was and still remains to be, in her most peacful state.

This is part of Christianity that is often forgotten. We look and think about salvation, and that it is not works that get us our salvation, So too many christians then feel they don't have to do any work.

But a christian if they have faith, can't just do nothing, they will have to help someone, tell someoen about Christ, lead a prayerful life. Not all of these but they will do something

Basically I see it as
People who say use me Lord and they follow their spirit on where God leads them
And do the works that evolve in their path.

Then there are the good old ladies who make sure they go to do their works religiously (often along with their gossip) and it is more a brownie point system they follow.

Then there are the people who are all talk and wouldn't help a soul to save their life but they know all the right words.

I guess it is fair to say that the majority of Christians out there will indeed not be found favorable by God, due to their lack of "actual" works.

Opening the door for someone and giving a happy smile and cheery greeting is a work. Picking up a wallet in the mall parking lot and returning it intact to the owner is a work. Teaching your children good behavior and respect for others is a work. Snowblowing your elderly neighbor's sidewalk and cleaning off his porch is a work. Etc.

Works are not done to earn God's favor or to get us into heaven. Works are thank yous to God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem us. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

Works are not done to earn God's favor or to get us into heaven. Works are thank yous to God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem us. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.


:D I like that

Matt 24:14
Matt 28:19,20
Jesus tells us in these scriptures what work we are to be doing and 1Tim 4:10 - We should be working hard and exerting ourselves vigorously, doing these things.
John 14:12 Jesus speaks of ones who will do works greater than he did. Was he meaning expelling demons or healing sick? No, because he did all these things curing ALL who came to him and even miraculously fed a huge crowd and the gift of the spirit was to cease or end anyway (1 Cor 13:8-10). Rather, he was referring to the declaring of the good news which he said he was sent forth to do (Luke 4:43).
As the scriptures quoted at the top show, this declaration would be to the entire inhabited earth. This is how certain ones would do works greater than he did during his short stay on the earth, in that they are working hard to preach about God's kingdom and it's wonderful benefits to all those who choose to listen and accept it.
This is what I consider "works" to be as Jesus and his disciples saw it.
How many religious organisations do you know of that exert themselves vigorously in doing this work today?
Luke 13:24 "Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door because many I tell you will seek to get in but not be able." :)

Matt 24:14
How many religious organisations do you know of that exert themselves vigorously in doing this work today?
Luke 13:24 "Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door because many I tell you will seek to get in but not be able." :)


Great answer. I was wondering if anyone would bring up Matt: 24:14, which tells us to spread the news of God's kingdom.

I feel that it takes MUCH more then just good morals, going to church, following the 10 commandments. A good Christian is really obligated to tell others about God's Kingdom.

So, it surprises me when people get mad about others speading the good news. (I.E. Jehovah's Witnesses) Why get upset when we know that these people are doing Christian Works?

(Oh, and I'm not promoting any religion, just used an example of one that does indeed follow Matt: 24:14)

[QUOTE=LifePaparazzi] it surprises me when people get mad about others speading the good news. (I.E. Jehovah's Witnesses) Why get upset when we know that these people are doing Christian Works?
QUOTE]

Don't be too surprised because Jesus said "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you." (John 15:18,19 compare 1 Pet 4:3,4):)

The Bible says you will know them by their fruit so if there is no fruit...

The Bible says you will know them by their fruit so if there is no fruit......

Exactly right! :)

it surprises me when people get mad about others speading the good news. (I.E. Jehovah's Witnesses) Why get upset when we know that these people are doing Christian Works?

Don't be too surprised because Jesus said "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you." (John 15:18,19 compare 1 Pet 4:3,4):)

Hate? Maybe, but the Witnesses have certainly done a great job in adding new members to their church. They have a plan and a system and energy that could work for other church bodies if those bodies dare try -- going two-by-two to people's homes and distributing their literature and preaching their faith, then, when someone has agreed to learn more, the Witnesses assign a member to conduct a Bible study at the person's home once a week. Name another church body or religion that is that resourceful and courageous!

Ephesians 2:

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus TO DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


John 15:5

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.



So, because God loves, forgives, blesses me; I should love, forgive, bless others.

Thank you all for your input on this question.

John 6:29
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
(KJV)

i am a muslim i believe in the oneness of Almighty God and i believe in all his mighty prophets including, Adam, Noah Abraham, Joseph Jacob, Moses David Solomen, Job, Jesus and the last prophet Muhammed, peace be upon them all, THIS LIFE IS A TEST WE HAVE TO LIVE IT BY THE COMMANDS OF alMIGHTY God, we as muslims believ that faith without good deeds is fruitless and good deeds without faith is rootless, we belive in the last revelation of Almighty GCan you stop spamming this site please? Thank you.

I am a muslim I believe in the oneness of Almighty God and I believe in all his mighty prophets including, Adam, Noah Abraham, Joseph Jacob, Moses David Solomen, Job, Jesus and the last prophet Muhammed, peace be upon them all, THIS LIFE IS A TEST WE HAVE TO LIVE IT BY THE COMMANDS OF alMIGHTY God, we as muslims believe that faith without good deeds is fruitless and good deeds without faith is rootless, we believe in the last revelation of Almighty God, the holy Quran, in which GOD tells us that he gave jesus the gospel and moses the torah and david the psalms, however these have all been changed with time, whereas God says Himself in the quran, that He will safeguard this book and it remains unchanged after 1400 years, read it and follow it, follow the religion of all the prophets and save yourselves and your families from the fire of hell, any questions

Readnow, you have pasted that same answer multiple times. Please do not do that. If you have something constructive to add, however, you are welcome.

The "works" in which James is referring to is living a Christian life and all that it entails. It is living a changed and godly life.

Here is a great explanation: Justified by Faith or Works? Justification, sanctification, salvation, redemption (http://www.carm.org/questions/faithorworks.htm)

We have all heard the biblical quote of "Faith without works is dead". So, what then exactly are these works?

They are works of faith.

James 1 27 Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.

Matthew 25 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God. But simply saying you have faith without putting that faith into practice is not enough. The book of St. James is very clear.

James 2 18 But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without works; and I will show thee, by works, my faith.

And St. Paul agrees:

Hebrews 11 6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him. 7 By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith. 8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.

James 2 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?

Do you see the logic of St. Paul and St. James? Do you see how, by faith we work? Therefore you can't separate faith and works. Because it is by works that we express our faith.

Matthew 7 21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Many people say that simply beign a good Christian and regularly gong to church are works. But how can that be works? How can sitting in church each week and being a good person be considered works? :confused:

Have you ever sat through a boring sermon that you feel has nothing that you can apply to your life? Have you ever gone to Church when you could be playing basketball or watching the football games at Church? That's work. That is tedious work.

But loving God entails the same type of sacrifice as loving anyone else. Love is the greatest cross we have to bear. How many times has your brother or sister, son or daughter said, "Can I get on the computer now?" when you're in the middle of a great conversation? But because you love them, you give up a little bit of your pleasure, a littlbe bit of your life to please them.

How many times has your wife or husband said, "Would you cook breakfast this morning?" But you have other plans which because you love them, you set your plans aside, give up a little bit of your life to love them.

It is the same with God. If we aren't willing to give up at least one day a week to show your love to God, if we aren't willing to sacrifice one little part of our life for God the first day of the week, the first fruits of our week, a little part of our life for God, can we really say that we love Him?

Romans 8 17 And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.


Your feedback please :cool:

I hope that helps.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Like I said earlier........................

Works are not done to earn God's favor or to get us into heaven. Works are thank yous to God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem us. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
Now, how does one say thank you to God, i.e., how does one be a blessing to others?

I'm from Earth and I 'see' it the way it 'says' it. It doesn't say "good works." It's not referring to "good works" or the "works of the law." The 'Works' it is referring to is purely 'action.' The act of faith. Jesus was asked a question one day, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. The work of faith for salvation is to believe on Christ. Abraham's action showed belief on Christ. At the offering of Isaac, God preached to Abraham the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Whether a person has "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. The work of faith for salvation is to believe on Christ. Abraham's action showed belief on Christ. At the offering of Isaac, God preached to Abraham the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Whether a person has " or not, doesn't show me if they are saved. How much good works would you have to see? The way I see if you're saved is if you're resting in Christ. That is an action or work of faith.
The passage isn't primarily about salvation. It's about faith. Faith for Salvation is used as an example. Faith isn't believing everything will be OK. Faith is believing what God says in His Word. But just knowing it doesn't do us much good. We need to do what God says. For example, if you have faith in prayer. It doesn't do you any good unless you ask. "Ask and it shall be given you." or not, doesn't show me if they are saved. How much good works would you have to see? The way I see if you're saved is if you're resting in Christ. That is an action or work of faith.
The passage isn't primarily about salvation. It's about faith. Faith for Salvation is used as an example. Faith isn't believing everything will be OK. Faith is believing what God says in His Word. But just knowing it doesn't do us much good. We need to do what God says. For example, if you have faith in prayer. It doesn't do you any good unless you ask. "The rod and reproof give wisdom... " You can have faith in what the bible says about rearing children. "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." It doesn't do you any good unless you use the rod on your children. By the way if you don't believe this, then you don't have faith because that's what it says. You can have faith in what the bible says about finances. "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." If you don't save any money, your faith is dead. You can have faith in what the bible says about marriage. "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED"
But if you don't TRUST CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR then you won't be saved.