Re: Faith Comes by Hearing
James and Paul. Do they contradict one another or do we need to study and dig deeper to be able to reconcile the two?
I say salvation is by grace alone through faith with Paul.
But God doesn't save us by grace alone through faith and then leave us alone, so that's where James starts making a lot of sense.
And then Paul agrees with James, saying:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And Ephesians 2:10 could include physical baptism and whatever other good works we want to throw in there. :)
But those works still don't save us. No, salvation is completely by grace alone through faith. But then as a result of that gift, then comes the works, which are all of God's grace too:
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Stop calling me a fool Cue! :) No, I recognized James talking there, so no offense taken. :)