Posted by:
kokaubeammeup
(
)
Date: August 21, 2013 05:50PM
I studied this alot a while ago and made lots of notes. I copied a bit of those notes here. Mormons seem to rely on the James passage, but there are countless more statements in the new testament that say it is only faith that is needed, not any works. Read through Romans and Hebrews and highlight all the times it's said, and it's tons. Reading again the new testament without trying to fit it into mormon doctrine was one of the best testimony-destroyers.
http://www.clarityministries.org/media/pdfs/faith_without_works.pdf--James was talking to church brethren who had already been saved through faith, but talking asking the "what profiteth" (or benefits you and others) if your faith is dead (e.g. like a dead car battery). True faith should create good works, not that works save you. Also, works coming from faith is how other people can tell that you have faith (justified to other people), although you are justified before God without needing the works.
Ephesians 2:8, 9: For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and that [being saved] not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which
we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
through the washing of regeneration [new birth] and
renewing of the Holy Spirit.
II Timothy 1:9: [God] who has saved us and
called us with a holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to His own purpose and grace
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Romans 4:5: But to him who does not work
but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith
is accounted for righteousness.
Romans 11:6: And if [salvation is] by grace,
then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no
longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace;
otherwise work is no longer work.