i like this.. i t would make a great tag line..

i would love to see this on a starbucks coffe cup..

Frankie G

1I think that James 2:14-26 helps to clarify issues,in an altogether practical manner.

2The contention has been that the NT is a works based covenant,as contrasted with the faith based NT.The 600 odd worship and living regulations of the OT are pointed to as evidence of the works based nature of the OT.Passages in the NT emphasising the importance of faith are held up as proof that the NT is faith(only) based(‘without faith it is impossible to please God’).

3In v14 a rhetorical question is asked’What good is it,my brothers,if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds.Can such faith save him’.Brother James supplies the answer with a rather amusing example of non assistance to a cold,hungry man.In v17 ha answers his own question’In the same way,faith by itself,if it is not accompanied by action is dead’.

Brethren,we see that faith and works are,and have always led one from the other.Faith finds expression in action,action taken reinforces faith.Neither covenant has been without faith or works!

And the text goes on to prove this in v21-24 with the example of Abraham’You foolish man,do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?You see that his faith and his actions were working together,and his faith was made complete by what he did..You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone…As the body without the spirit is dead,so faith without deeds is dead’.

4We see here radical continuity,not discontinuity.

1It seems very many Christians,including myself, were weaned on the thesis of a radical dichotomy between the OT and the NT.It is received wisdom.

2My thesis here is that our concern has been more with the content,the specifics of the OT covenant,than with its intent and overall purpose.

3If we would consider the matter closely,I believe God instituted a covenant of faith with man,the OT.Perhaps due to what man could bear ay the time,the specific,external form of manifestation of this covenant took on the form of specific acts(works).But,as shown earlier,God’s intention was always that in seeking to obey the many rules and regulations,this was faith on display.

This however was a limited covenant,as it was practically impossible for any man to obey all the Law.Hence the need for a better covenant where God’s original intention of a faith based relationship between man and God was made plain,the NT.

1 There clearly are 2 covenants,not one.

2 Note the comment on internal motivation vs external constraint.

You may wish to consider what God had to say on ritualistic,faithless worship,that did not show Godly attributes,long before the birth of Jesus:

‘The multitude of your sacrifices,what are they to me?’ says the Lord.’I have more than enough of burnt offerings,of rams and the fat of fatted animals;I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats…Stop bringing meaningless offerings!Your incense is detestable to me.New moons,Sabbaths and convocations-I cannot bear your evil assemblies…When you spread out your hands in prayer,I will hide my eyes from you;even if you offer many prayers I will not listen.Your hands are full of blood;wash and make yourselves clean.Take your evil deeds out of my sight!Stop doing wrong,learn to do right.Seek justice,encourage the oppressed.Defend the cause of the fatherless,plead the cause of the widow.’Isaiah 1:11,13,15-17.

3 Didnt refer to the moral law,but to the OT,as considered in contrast to the NT.

4 Please read my last two posts-yours and mine seem to have crossed each other.

5 Will later want to examine grace and works,as related to the issue we are conversing about.From the book of James.

That will be tomorrow.Tired now,This tent maker needs to rest.Peace,my brother.