Well, before I answer, did this saintly lady pass the Good Test? Did she ever lie? If so, what does that make her? Did she ever take anything that didn’t belong to her, no matter how small? If so, what does that make her? If she did neither, and loved God with all her heart, never took God’s name in vain, honored her parents, didn’t bear false witness, didn’t covet, nor commit adultery, then truly she was a great person, and she would be in heaven. Oh, I also forgot to mention, that if she did these when she was younger, time doesn’t erase it, nor do good works.
As for the credibility of the Bible, Josh McDowell changed how I think about it. Evidence that demands a verdict is a great book.
So again, did this lady pass the good test?
James 2
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by £my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is £dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Ok, first there needs to be some ground rules for Biblical interpretation, which I think is clear scripture should be taken for what it says. Second is unclear scripture should be looked at in context, and if context isn’t clear, the Bible as a whole.
That said, we are saved by grace through faith, as John McAurthur clearly says in his teachings. That faith produces works is a given, and works shows faith. If I believe God is going to judge the sins of all, yet never feel to share about salvation, then do I really believe it? If I feel (have faith) that God was serious when He said to love my neighbour as myself, yet don’t feed someone who’s hungry, do I really believe it? My works show my faith, and true faith is different than false faith. Let me try and explain:
A Christian farmer in western Kansas felt sure God spoke to him to give his $40,000 hail insurance to missioins. So, in faith he gave the money, trusting that God would protect his crop. Sure enough, the hail came and severly damaged all his neighbour’s crops, but not his.
In contrast, there is a well-known story about a brilliant tightrope artist named Blondin, who pushed a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. After he had walked to the other side, the crowd applaused at his amazing feat.
He asked a small boy in the crowd if he believed (had faith) that Blondin could walk back. The boy said, “Yes, Sir!” He then asked if the boy thought he could do it with someone in the wheelbarrow. The boy said he believed Blondin could do it, to which the famous tightrope walker said, “Good! Jump in then and I will take you!” The boy would not get in.
Here are two different types of faith. The farmer had faith that he heard God; he was so sure that he was prepared to step out. But the boy’s faith was (understandably) lacking; he wasn’t prepared to step out and step in. Many sincere people have a measure of faith in Jesus, but they have never trusted in Him. in that sense, their faith, because it doesn’t have works with it, is dead.