Faith Without Works is Dead

“Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important.” C.S. Lewis

Many times, we believe we know someone, until we are surprised to discover things we never knew about him.

This Postcard is about an extraordinary person who possessed numerous facets, most known to all. He was a renaissance man, a basketball player, a preacher and a photographer, and he led a massive congregation. He was a man of color, tall and striking in appearance with his hair formed into long, cascading cornrows.

When he entered a room, heads turned. He cut a very impressive figure, reflecting the image of his Creator whom he loved, respected, adored, promoted and whose gospel he enthusiastically spread.

He enjoyed playing jazz; music, sports and preaching brought him closer to his Father.

Tragically, he recently passed away in his sleep at the age of 58. Completely unexpected, it stunned everyone left behind. At the funeral, when people were asked to stand if they knew him, were part of his church, were affected directly by his actions or even indirectly so, an audience of thousands stood.

There were only eight Jewish people in our group, sitting among thousands of African-American mourners, all there to celebrate Pastor Billy’s extraordinary life. We were present to show our gratitude for his consistent devotion and support for Israel’s welfare.

Before the service started, I spoke with a 20-year member of his church seated nearby. I explained that in Judaism, the greatest deed a person can perform toward another is to attend that person’s funeral. It is the most selfless act, because the departed can never pay back the kindness, and there is no earthly reciprocation for the action.

Eight grateful and dispirited Jewish mourners represented the Jewish community at a memorial and life celebration for Pastor Dr. Billy Ingram of Maranatha Community Church in Los Angeles.

We felt a great debt needed to be repaid. A great show of love was appropriate for such a true friend. Pastor Billy, as we used to call him, was always there for us, for Israel. He had many great loves, his Creator, his wife Solombra, his children, his congregants and Israel.

“Pastor Ingram was a man of passion and conviction, who served God with all of his heart and strength, and showed us all by his example the power of one committed individual to make a positive difference in our community.

“He was a faithful friend of Israel, who led tours there with members of his congregation. At the request of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, he organized and led a tour of key African-American pastors to the Holy Land. He could be counted on to stand with the Jewish State when it mattered, appearing with the Israeli Consul General and area rabbis at demonstrations of support and in front of media during the Second Lebanon War. He served on the board of directors of the Israel Christian Nexus since the organization’s founding in 2002.”

When Israel’s Consul General eulogized him at the funeral he evoked laughter from the crowd as he related that at their first meeting when he walked into the room, he thought Pastor Billy was an “Ethiopian Jew.” He praised his efforts to strengthen Israel and noted with sadness that the Jewish people had truly lost a dear and loyal friend.

I personally recalled August of 2006, when Israel was at war with Hizbollah, an Iranian-and Syrian-backed terrorist organization that took over Lebanon.

Pastor Billy was about to pick up his twin boys, then five, when I called him asking if he could join us at a major event at the Simon Wiesenthal Center to support Israel. Pastor Billy did not hesitate for a moment and said, “I will be there.”

Later, when he walked into the courtyard filled with hundreds of people, all heads turned. He was imposing and majestic in a suit, with his long cornrows down his back, like a warrior in a protective army of the devoted. He spoke that day with a warm and loving heart about Israel, of standing steadfast with the Jewish state.

At today’s funeral service his image projected from huge screens as he praised higher values and the love of God. He was a preacher who knew his Bible, the Bible that is the common denominator that joins the Saturday Jews and Sunday Christians at the hip.

Those gathered today at the memorial were reminded of that special side of Pastor Billy that extended beyond the Bible, making it real and tangible. From within the Old Testament to the modern-day manifestation of God’s Chosen People, from the Hebrews to the Israelis, blessing the children of God was integrally important to Pastor Billy. He connected the Book to life and human beings; his faith was a real entity, and he truly practiced what he preached.

As his Jewish admirers, our presence was a testament to a connection he re-established, the inter-dependence and mending of the vital bridges between the Jewish and African American communities.

There is no question that bridge is built on very solid foundations, for Christianity without Judaism cannot exist. However, that once strong bond between the Jews and Blacks has deteriorated slowly as African-American leaders like Jackson, Sharpton and Wright malign the Jews and the Zionists, spreading hatred and misinformation among their followers and a new generation.

Pastor Billy Ingram knew the importance of the state of Israel. He knew the deeply ingrained commonality of the struggles that drew us together and the necessity to re-forge those bonds in the new millennium. He remembered the past, the troubled times when Jews and Blacks walked arm in arm to battle the wrongs that confronted them and formed a wall of strength too deep to penetrate for it was forged of unity.

Jews and Blacks once worked together to end racism and hatred. Pastor Billy renewed the bond and shared the works because, most importantly, he believed “Faith Without Works is Dead.”

He believed “love” is a verb. It is in the actions not the word that the power lies.

For Pastor Billy, supporting the State of Israel and the Jewish people were one and the same. It came without any preconditions. In fact, it came before much else. He had a priority assigned to it, a higher importance for loving and supporting Israel tantamount to loving and supporting the Almighty, and nothing short of a full attention and complete devotion will suffice.

We must all pray Pastor Billy’s incredible legacy is carried forward by the multitudes his life inspired. May he be an advocate, as he now sits at a circle with the Almighty, to further and to strengthen the ties he and others have built with effort and dedication with the Jewish People.

His memory must serve as an example of the true meaning of Christian values, to love and support a neighbor, to embrace all mankind with a generous and forgiving spirit.

These times are more perilous and dangerous than ever before. It is now we must look into our hearts and set an anchor, one solidly resting in deep, inner belief and conviction and love for one another.

Support of Israel is not only necessary, but also the right thing to do for the sake of all people. Pastor Billy stood beside a friend in need, Israel. He loyally defended a people, the Jews, constantly attacked and maligned, showing his true character and integrity to God’s principles.

Pastor Billy Ingram was a true man of character, and “character” meant for him “living” the manifestation of God’s will and commandments. The world and the Jewish people lost a giant. May we all be so blessed to have more friends like Pastor Billy and may his good works serve as a light to guide us all out of the darkness.

The series “Postcards from America—Postcards from Israel” by Ari Bussel and Norma Zager is a compilation of articles capturing the essence of life in America and Israel during the first two decades of the 21st Century.

The writers invite readers to view and experience an Israel and her politics through their eyes, Israel visitors rarely discover.

This point—and often—counter-point presentation is sprinkled with humor and sadness and attempts to tackle serious and relevant issues of the day. The series began in 2008, appears both in print in the USA and on numerous websites and is followed regularly by readership from around the world.

Does Salvation result from Works or from Faith?

An analytical answer by Don W. Stoner

We are told by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ephesians 2:8,9 (all quotations will be taken from the KJV)

But we are also told by James:
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” -James 2:14

Here, as with many apparent contradictions in the Bible, the difficulty disappears when we critically examine the possible meanings of the terms (words) used. Once we know the different possible meanings of those terms, we can examine their usage, in Scriptural context, to determine which of the possible definitions was originally intended.

In the question of whether salvation comes by works or faith, we first need to get a clear understanding of what the term “faith” (and its synonym “belief”) really means. Looking up “faith” and “belief” in an unabridged dictionary, such as Webster’s, reveals that they both have about a half dozen possible definitions. Further, except for the modern legal usage of the term “faith,” the two words are virtually interchangeable.

Although the words, themselves, are interchangeable, their definitions are not. The first thing we need to do is get a clear understanding of what differences exist between the different definitions so we will not confuse them with each other. There are two different definitions which we need to understand particularly well.

First, the terms “faith” and “belief” can be used to mean: “To hold to be true, unwaveringly.” A non-biblical example of this kind of belief can be found in the story of Peter Pan. In order to save Tinkerbell, children hearing the story must convince themselves that fairies exist and shout, “I believe in fairies.” This sort of belief has been suggested as a model for what is required for salvation in the Biblical sense. For our discussion we will refer to this definition of belief as, “definition one.”

The other definition of “faith” and “belief” that we must consider is: “To trust in or rely on.” A non-biblical example of this definition would be “belief” in the U.S. Dollar. In this example, the question of whether or not Dollars exist is not an issue; a person’s level of trust in the Dollar is what matters. A person who “believes” in the Dollar, in this sense, will probably not be selling his Dollars to buy Swiss Francs or Japanese Yen. This sort of belief has also been suggested as a model for what is required for salvation. Here we will refer to this as “definition two.”

Now that we have a clear understanding of the differences between these two definitions for “faith” or “belief,” we are ready to examine the Scriptures. When we apply these two possible definitions to individual verses, the surrounding context can tell us which definition is correct. We will start with John 3:16. Correct understanding of this verse is very important because the verse is foundational to Christianity.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “ -John 3:16

As we learn from the first three verses of John, chapter three, the speaker is Jesus and he is addressing a man named Nicodemus who came to Him at night. When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must “believe” in the Son of God, the question of whether or not Jesus exists is never an issue. Nicodemus is standing right in front of Jesus and can verify that for himself. Instead, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he must trust what Jesus is saying about Himself. What is important is whether or not Nicodemus will rely on Jesus – not whether he believes Jesus exists. Belief in the sense of “definition two,” not “definition one,” is what Jesus requests here.

Next we will examine a verse from James: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” –James 2:19

Here we are reminded that the question of God’s existence is not an issue to the devils. Their “belief ,“ in this sense, is unwavering. Here James is telling us that the kind of “faith” specified by “definition one,” although good, is no more than what the devils possess. It is not enough to usher in salvation. This is why James says:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” –James 2:14

We can see from context that James is using “definition one” for his meaning for the term “faith.” This kind of “faith” cannot save anyone. James provides some more information in verse 18:

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” –James 2:18

Here James reminds us that the kind of “faith” which is required for salvation will produce actions. Returning to our non-biblical example, a man who is selling his Dollars to buy gold, proves, by his actions, that he does not “believe” (definition two) in U.S. Dollars as much as he believes in gold. James’ argument is that a man’s actions will tell us where his trust (belief - definition two) really resides. The kind of faith which the devils possess (definition one) can stand alone, apart from works, but the other kind cannot.

Finally, let’s examine Paul’s statement about faith in his letter to the Ephesians:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” –Ephesians 2:8,9

Let’s suppose that I intend to give you a Dollar; I hold it out and offer it to you. Because you believe the Dollar has value, you reach out your arm and take it, making it yours. Your physical action of acceptance shows that you believe the Dollar has value; but that action is not enough work that you could claim to have earned the Dollar. It is still my gift to you. What Paul is telling us is that no matter how much work our faith (definition two) causes us to do, it will never be enough to earn the gift of salvation. That is still a gift that we can never claim to have earned.

In conclusion, are we saved by works? Certainly not. The works, which our faith (definition two) demands, could never pay for salvation. Are we saved by faith? Faith (definition one) will not save us; but faith (definition two) is the means God has chosen for delivering his free gift.

Summary

There are two different meanings for the terms “faith” and “belief.”

1. The sense implied by “belief in fairies” where the individual has never seen a fairy and must decide whether or not they exist.

2. The sense implied by “belief in the Dollar” where the question of existence is considered settled, but the question of trust remains.

In John 3:16, where Jesus addresses the need for “belief,” the question of existence is settled because Jesus is standing physically in front of his audience Nicodemus. This leaves the question of “trust” for Nicodemus to consider. What James, chapter two, is getting at is that settling the question of existence is insufficient to save a man. Even the devils have this kind of faith - and tremble (verse 19). Correctly settling the question of “trust” is also necessary for salvation.

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