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We can't see your faith, or your heart all we have is your life as evidence of your faith. If you do no works how can we see your faith.

In context, this explains it with an example:

Jam 2:14 Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone.

Jam 2:15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing,

Jam 2:16 and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

Jam 2:17 So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless

Faith is believing. James mentioned that even demons believe in Jesus, but demons will not get salvation. James mentioned, too, that WORKS is demonstration of faith. Those who truly believe, will definitely do the works. Therefore, it differentiated those who pay lip service and said they have faith against those who sincerely believe and go about doing WORKS (doing good to reflect that they are Christlike).

We are told from beginning to the end of the bible, why this is so,, here is just one example from the last book and last chapter of God's word.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do God's commandments,

that they may have right to the tree of life,

and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Jesus was our example whatever He did we are suppose to do...He was perfect, and He had the power of the Holy Spirit to live perfectly......and we can ask God for that power too. We can ask Him for the HS, but obviously you have it....because you are asking some very important questions.Do you have the answer....i feel the law may be the works...with the Holy Spirit, i dont mean sacrifices and all that but the laws...not the ordinances if that is the word.

Because if you never show your faith, it's the same as not having it.

The next phrase says it all: "You show me YOUR faith with OUT any works, and I'LL show you MY faith THROUGH my works." Also, "Even the demons believe, and they (actually) tremble!"

"Works" doesn't save us; faith saves us; but works is the evidence that we ARE saved.

works is evidence of our faith.

It means Evangelical fundies are screwed.

It's that way because if you are not good God is going to send you to hell. We don't question the rules. We submit and obey.

[God] who "will render to each one according to his DEEDS", eternal

life to those who by patient continuance in DOING GOOD (being upright,

honorable) seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who

are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness

-- indignation and wrath, tribulation (affliction, trouble) and

anguish (distress, dire calamity), on every soul of man who does

evil... but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who WORKS what is

good... For there is no partiality (no respect of persons) with

God (meaning it doesn't matter who you are). For as many as have

sinned without law (without the knowledge of law, to live ignorant

of law and discipline) will also perish (to be given over to

eternal misery in hell) without law... - Romans 2:6-12.

BAD WORKS can make the Christian lose salvation:

Revelation 3:1-5 - ..."I know your works, that you have a name that

you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the

things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your

works perfect before My God. Remember therefore how you have received

and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I

will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will

come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis who have

not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for

they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,

and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will

confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

~ Note: These people had the name of being a Christian thinking they

had eternal life, but they had become spiritually dead. Some had

the chance to live because He says they were only ready to die.

The term "ready to die" is of eternal death. They are subject to

eternal misery in hell. They were not living the life of how they

first received the word. They had defiled their garments (by sin)

and needed to overcome this to be worthy enough to eventually walk

with Christ in white garments; or else He will blot out their name

from the Book of Life. The word "defiled" is used in the NT of those

who have not kept themselves pure from the defilement of sin, who

have soiled themselves by fornication and adultery. You must overcome

and conquer sin if you fell back into the bondage of it. Repent and

turn back to God for help.

BTW, Revelation 13:8 proves that not everyone's name gets started in

the Book of Life. Some people say everyone starts in the Book of Life

to make it look like this Scripture above doesn't mean a loss of

salvation from someone who was saved. But only saved people get their

names written in the Book of Life. So this does mean saved people can

get their names blotted out by God from the Book of Life. Then they

would no longer be saved.