Justification is by faith

But not by faith alone. Faith alone is dead. Scripture tells us so. James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 
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Justification is by faith. But not by faith alone.

Faith alone is dead. Scripture tells us so.

James 2:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

But faith is the basis for justification.

Hebrews 11:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In order to prove our faith, we must act upon it. In other words, faith in God is expressed by our obedience to His commands:

Romans 6:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Keeping the Commandments is what St. James calls justification by faith and works.

James 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

St. Paul refers to it as "doers are justified":

Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Protestants get confused with that justification which occurs in the Sacraments and which St. Paul calls "justified by faith apart from works". This is not "faith alone". 

It seems every Catholic understands the distinction, but not one Protestant with which I have spoken seems to understand what I'm saying.

Let me try a different tact.

In the Old Testament, all were justified by faith AND WORKS. God expected all His faithful people to obey Him and keep the Commandments:

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Jesus didn't change that part of God's plan of salvation. Remember what He said:

Matthew 5:18
King James Version (KJV)
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

God's law consists of the Ten Words which He wrote with His own finger upon two stone slabs:

Deuteronomy 4:13
And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

What Jesus did was make God's plan more stringent while at the same time, easier to achieve. I know that sounds impossible but bear with me.

Jesus made God's plan of salvation more stringent. Here He mentions it Himself:

Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Do you want an example? Keep reading Matthew 5.

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
etc. etc.

The Faith of Christ is far more stringent than the Faith of Moses. 

Yet, at the same time, it is far easier to achieve salvation in the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ than it ever was in the Old Covenant. Why? Because the Old Covenant was judged by faith and works, alone. Yes, you heard me right. Faith and works together and alone. There was no other system for the Jews to receive justification from God. Except for a few exceptional souls, the Jews were not justified until Christ died on the Cross and descended into hell in order to bring them into heaven. Let me show you:

Hebrews 11
King James Version (KJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Keep reading. These, faithful Old Covenant Jews, acted upon their faith and obeyed God. Yet they did not receive the promises of God. They could not receive them until Jesus died on the Cross. Jesus then established a vehicle for us to receive the grace of salvation. The Sacraments.

The first Sacrament is Baptism. When we receive Baptism, we are born again children of God and at that point we are given the right to do what none of the Old Covenant Jews could do until Jesus Christ died on the Cross. We then walk with the Saints:


Hebrews 12:21-25
King James Version (KJV)
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:


It is through the Sacraments that Jesus Christ bestows upon us His grace. Not by our works. We don't wash our own souls. God washes our souls. But He only washes the souls of those who, like the Old Covenant Jews, express their faith in their works of love. In other words, by keeping the Commandments.

And that is what St. Paul means to be justified by faith apart from works. The Jews were justified by faith and works and had to wait until the end of their lives, in the afterlife, until the death of Our Lord on the Cross, before they were judged worthy to enter heaven.

But we receive the same grace when we receive the Sacraments in the proper disposition of faith, believing in God and having complete trust in God. Otherwise, if we reject the Sacraments and accept only the Law of the Old Covenant, Christ died in vain. 


Galatians 2:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.


I hope that makes sense.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The Catholic Church teaches the Gospel of Grace

‪Proteus‬ said...IOW DM you are telling us that the covenant of works is the covenant of grace; that the gospel of works is grace.

Who said "covenant of works"? You or I. Answer: YOU.
Who said "gospel of works"? You or I.
Answer: YOU.
The Catholic Church does not teach a Covenant of works nor a Gospel of works, but the Gospel of Grace.

Uh huh.

Uh uh uh

So salvation is by keeping the law.

Salvation is by the mercy of God through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

(Perfectly mind you, no schlock job halfway attempts admissable - which is why Christ's righteousness is indispensable.)

Everything is possible with God.

How's that working out, buddy?

God is my Judge. I don't judge myself (1 Corinthians 4:3). Do you not believe that God will judge you rightly? Why are you so concerned to judge other people and yourself that you deny God's sovereign right to judge you?

1 Corinthians 4:3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Seems like you got a little problem with the 9th commandment by the time you get through mangling everybody's comments to make them say what you want or avoid the point.

It is not I who is mangling the Word of God. It is the men whose false doctrines you follow.



The theme of Romans is either the just shall live by faith alone or it's not. Which is it?

You seem to be reading into Scripture your errors. I don't see that in Romans anywhere. Romans is clear, those who disobey God will not be saved. THAT IS THE THEME.



And don't bother trying to confuse things by bringing in sanctification. We are talking about justification.
Make the root good and the fruit follows.

The Vine, Jesus Christ, is always good. But it doesn't necessarily follow that the branches will produce good fruit.
John 15 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: …



Sadly I am not expecting too much from the word mongering and alphabet chopping we've seen so far. It's par for the course from the spiritual dolts or bargain basement apologists that fly the Roman colors these days, as it has been in the past.

At least I'm producing Scripture. All you produce is opinions based upon the errors of the Reformers.



cheers

And to you,

Sincerely,
De Maria

It means that only those who obey the Law will be justified

Lutero said:You might trying reading the post again real slow DM, if not the Book of Romans and see if you can then tell us that Paul’s gospel – Christ’s gospel – is by obedience to the law, instead of by faith alone. 

I already did. Romans 2:13 is quite clear. And Jesus is explicit.


And don’t bother trying to smear it at Luther’s gospel or giving us the party line as to what the Roman church’s gospel is, but tell us what Rom. 3:20-24 plainly says.

Taken in context of the entire Bible and specifically in context of the book of Romans, it means that only those who obey the Law will be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.



But let me make it easy for you. 
Here it is again:

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

In other words, we are not justified by the deeds of the law. But God does not justify those who do not keep the law, because anyone who violates the law, commits sin:

1 John 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.


But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

In other words, faith in Jesus Christ is witnessed by the law, because those who have faith in Jesus Christ keep the law. There is no difference between Jew or Gentile, for the Gentile who keeps the law, without the law, shows that the law is written in his heart.



It’s not that hard and the Scripture is clear enough, 

Amen! Keeping the Commandments is the Will of God. Transgression of the Commandments is sin against God.

though certain parties have failed miserably so far to do anything other than evade the truth.

 Agreed.



Which is why again their credibility and competence in all this is suspect, if not that Paul’s admonition in Galations comes into play:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed Gal. 1:8,9.

Absolutely. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear:

Matthew 19:17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

God doesn't change.

cheers

And to you,

Sincerely,
De Maria

Saved by grace through faith apart from works in the Sacraments

Calvin:

If that is true, then explain them to me. I didn't twist anything. I posted God's word. So tell me what the Catholic interpretation of these verses me. Do NOT post anymore out of context Scripture to me. Address these Scriptures and explain why you believe they do not say that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works.

Hm? When did I say that we are not saved by grace through faith apart from works? Read what I said again and ask the appropriate question. It is Catholic Teaching that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works in the Sacraments. We do not save ourselves by our works alone or by our faith alone.....

When St. Paul said, “justified by faith apart from works”, Luther interpreted that as faith “alone”: But that s not what St. Paul meant. St. Paul was teaching the justification which occurs in the Sacraments.

Let me explain:

St. Paul taught the Catholic Teaching that only those who do the works of the Law are justified:

Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

In Catholic Teaching, we are justified by faith and works. That is the foundation and root of all justification. Faith is expressed and perfected in works.

However, the Church also teaches that we are justified in the Sacraments where we are washed in sanctifying grace. Especially Baptism. Sacraments are God’s mighty works. We don’t do anything except submit to His works in the proper dispostion, which is that of faith.

This is the Justification by faith apart from works to which St. Paul referred.

The process is evident in every semester of RCIA. By faith, we seek the Lord and study to show ourselves approved. Only those who undergo this process are then JUSTIFIED in Baptism.

Lets take another example.

St. Paul says:
Galatians 2:16

King James Version (KJV)

16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Notice how he repeatedly says here, "faith OF Christ". Not "by faith IN Christ". He is not speaking about believing in Christ. That is assumed. He is speaking about the observance of the rituals instituted by Christ in His new way. He is speaking of the Sacraments.

And this, is Luther's error. He did not connect the Sacramental teaching of St. Paul. Luther recognized the Sacraments and he recognized the perfection of the sinner in the justification by faith. But denied the merit of that expression of faith in good works without which no one will be saved. And he applied St. Paul's teaching wrongly across the board. He failed to recognize the difference between the justification by faith and works that occurs as a result of the effort of the man of God which is illustrated by St. Peter below:

2 Peter 1:4-10

King James Version (KJV)

4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

And that justifcation by faith apart from works which occurs by the action of God in the Sacraments:

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Sincerely,

De Maria

St. Paul didn't say faith ALONE.

When St. Paul said, “justified by faith apart from works”, Luther interpreted that as faith “alone”: But that s not what St. Paul meant. St. Paul was teaching the justification which occurs in the Sacraments.


Let me explain:


St. Paul taught the Catholic Teaching that only those who do the works of the Law are justified:


Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.