http://www.upfc.org "The Forgotten Mission Field" Reaching Utah Since 2000 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:43:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.upfc.org/article/works-without-faith-is-dead/comment-page-1#comment-22 Pastor Rick Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:43:57 +0000 http://upfc.org/?p=314#comment-22 Murdock It is interesting that you missed the scriptures that Brad used and keyed into his example. Examples always are limited in their use and you took his example out of it intended use. The key question for this passage is simply, did James intend his phrase "Works without faith is Dead" to be "causative" or "indicative". In other words - do "Works" cause or create our becoming justified and righteous before God OR do works simply indicate or demonstrate that we have a living faith and have been justified and declared righteous before God. This Scripture (James 2: 14-26) is very clear that works are "indicative". If you keep this James passage in context one can clearly see that Abraham was already justified before God and his obedience was a result of a justified life of faith in the Lord. The "Works" simply confirmed a relationship of faith. When a child loves and trust it's mother and the mother ask the child to do something like jump off the table into her arms. The child jump because OF the relationship not to create the relationship. Look closely at Romans 4:1-6 vrs. 3 and compare to James 2:23 Look at history - Gen 15:6. Abraham was around 80 years old when this passage declares that he believed and God gifted to him, righteousness. He was justified by faith alone (without works) but faith is never alone. A person changed by God's gift of righteousness will have his heart and behavior changed. He bears fruit. The fruit indicates there is true faith. We see this in Abraham. Gen 22 Isaac, the promised child, is probably around 10 years old. Abraham is now 110 years old. Abraham has been living in "faith alone" for 30 -40 years and now he responds to God's request, with "the work" James is talking about. James says scripture was "FULFILLED" (Key word) Abraham's work was a fulfillment or an indication that he has been living a life of faith/ a genuine trust in the Father all those years. The work did not "Cause" him to be justified (he already had that) - it simply "Indicated" or demonstrated he had true faith and "was justified". Let's be clear, it is only by true faith that one is justified and saved, Eph 2:8-10. "Works" demonstrate that God has saved a person. Works do not cause a person to be saved. This is what Brad was communicating! Trust in Jesus alone. Blessings to you. In Christ. Pastor Rick Murdock
It is interesting that you missed the scriptures that Brad used and keyed into his example. Examples always are limited in their use and you took his example out of it intended use.
The key question for this passage is simply, did James intend his phrase “Works without faith is Dead” to be “causative” or “indicative”. In other words – do “Works” cause or create our becoming justified and righteous before God OR do works simply indicate or demonstrate that we have a living faith and have been justified and declared righteous before God. This Scripture (James 2: 14-26) is very clear that works are “indicative”. If you keep this James passage in context one can clearly see that Abraham was already justified before God and his obedience was a result of a justified life of faith in the Lord. The “Works” simply confirmed a relationship of faith. When a child loves and trust it’s mother and the mother ask the child to do something like jump off the table into her arms. The child jump because OF the relationship not to create the relationship. Look closely at Romans 4:1-6 vrs. 3 and compare to James 2:23 Look at history – Gen 15:6. Abraham was around 80 years old when this passage declares that he believed and God gifted to him, righteousness. He was justified by faith alone (without works) but faith is never alone. A person changed by God’s gift of righteousness will have his heart and behavior changed. He bears fruit. The fruit indicates there is true faith. We see this in Abraham. Gen 22 Isaac, the promised child, is probably around 10 years old. Abraham is now 110 years old. Abraham has been living in “faith alone” for 30 -40 years and now he responds to God’s request, with “the work” James is talking about. James says scripture was “FULFILLED” (Key word) Abraham’s work was a fulfillment or an indication that he has been living a life of faith/ a genuine trust in the Father all those years. The work did not “Cause” him to be justified (he already had that) – it simply “Indicated” or demonstrated he had true faith and “was justified”. Let’s be clear, it is only by true faith that one is justified and saved, Eph 2:8-10. “Works” demonstrate that God has saved a person. Works do not cause a person to be saved.
This is what Brad was communicating! Trust in Jesus alone.
Blessings to you. In Christ. Pastor Rick

]]> http://www.upfc.org/general-info/thinking-of-going-on-a-mission-trip/comment-page-1#comment-21 bobbygilpin Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:35:49 +0000 http://upfc.org/?p=328#comment-21 Fantastic, cant wait to get over there in October!!! Fantastic, cant wait to get over there in October!!!

]]> http://www.upfc.org/video/religion-redemption/comment-page-1#comment-20 frozengi Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:42:49 +0000 http://upfc.org/?p=310#comment-20 When does this come out and where can I watch it? When does this come out and where can I watch it?

]]> http://www.upfc.org/article/works-without-faith-is-dead/comment-page-1#comment-19 Murdock Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:54:11 +0000 http://upfc.org/?p=314#comment-19 I like the apple tree analogy. However, if Heavenly Father told you to plant an apple tree, as opposed to telling you just to plant whatever type of tree you felt like, then it was because He wants apples. He knows that apple trees bear apples. So, He is NOT just looking for an apple tree, he is looking for apples. He does not want you to have faith with fruits as a fortunate byproduct. He is looking for fruits. So, you had better USE your faith to create fruits. Indeed, fath without works IS dead. I like the apple tree analogy. However, if Heavenly Father told you to plant an apple tree, as opposed to telling you just to plant whatever type of tree you felt like, then it was because He wants apples. He knows that apple trees bear apples. So, He is NOT just looking for an apple tree, he is looking for apples. He does not want you to have faith with fruits as a fortunate byproduct. He is looking for fruits. So, you had better USE your faith to create fruits. Indeed, fath without works IS dead.

]]> http://www.upfc.org/video/religion-redemption/comment-page-1#comment-14 russeast Mon, 10 May 2010 02:37:17 +0000 http://upfc.org/?p=310#comment-14 Please take just 3 minutes out of your day and watch this preview of a movie that will motivate you to pray about ministering in Utah for a one-week mission trip! Watch this, and then call me at (801) 645-7433! Please take just 3 minutes out of your day and watch this preview of a movie that will motivate you to pray about ministering in Utah for a one-week mission trip! Watch this, and then call me at (801) 645-7433!

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