James 2:14 “can that faith save him?”, what is meant by him, who is him that is being saved, how so saved?
14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
What is the spiritual point that James is trying to make in these Scriptures?
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James instructs believers that when the faith of God is active in their lives, it will be demonstrated by good works. The faith will be observable in that person's actions; he will not need to say to another, "I have the faith of God." The faith involves others.
we know that we are saved by believing and trusting in Jesus. He gave his life a ransom 1 Timothy 2:5-6 by his wounds we are healed Isaiah 53 John 3:16, 5:24, 10:25-29, 14:6 Rom10:9-11 1John2:1-2
we are not saved by works, but by grace Eph 2:8-9 James is saying because we are saved we should be working for Gods glory.
James is saying that should show it (Faith) just because you may have faith show it buy the way you live and act. even the demons believe James 2:19 we should be practicing our faith.
He is saying that good works are a product of faith. If a person has faith they will do good works. If a person who says they have faith does not show love to others, in this example a fellow believer in need, then it is a good indicator that they don't have faith or the faith they had is no longer present. Good works are a natural response to faith in Christ. If you have faith in Christ it will be shown in your fruit. You know an apple tree because it bears apples. You know a Christian because they demonstrate love.
It's a rhetorical question. If we must answer it, the answer is "no". It is by faith that we enter into the salvation of God and it is our works afterward that determine whether we remain in that salvation. Good works lead to heaven, bad works lead to hell. The bile is consistent on that throughout.
Rom 2:7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Rom 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
It means that love without action is dead.
Love is what guides all our actions really as 'if you really love something you'll make time for i't. (Thats what Our Lady has said in Medjugorje).
There is another line from scripture i sometimes remember which goes something like the following:
'make yourself rich in all things then give'....I find that beautiful and motivating sometimes.
Talk is cheap and actions really do oftentimes speak louder than words.
I've often been told sometimes 'oh just pray about it...or i'm praying for you'..when really i'm looking for someone to listen and give advice...HAHAH...thats why i'm on here now. ;)
He refers to any person that says he has faith
"if someone says he has faith..."
He goes on to say that if any man says he has faith but he does not prove his faith by his actions, then his faith is a useless faith. It will not save him.
Ya gotta read from the beginning of it to get what James is trying to convey. Also pray about it, God can reveal it to ya. When I have questions like this I pray about it and ask for clarity, I get it in a sermon or a devotional or from a friend, etc.