Real faith is described as the "evidence" of things not seen:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen not seen" (Heb.12:1).
In fact, real faith comes in the power of God and not in men's wisdom, as Paul said here:
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor.2:4-5).
Those with real faith have the evidence that the Jews who lived under the law received everlasting life when they "believed" in the Lord Jesus, as "evidenced" by the His following words spoken to the Jews who lived under the law:
"For My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day" (Jn.6:40).
Those who do not have the "evidence of things not seen" cannot even understand that the Lord Jesus told these Jews who lived under the law that anyone who saw Him and "believed" in Him have eternal life.
Some people have that evidence and some don't. Those without the evidence are like the unbelieving Jews to whom Stephen addressed the following words:
"You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 7:51).
Evasion. Non responsive. And you cannot even quote the correct Hebrews chapter-it is Hebrews Chapter 11, not 12. That tells us much about you-sloppy, not paying attention, to the details, of the bible.And Hebrews 11:1 KJV, is not referencing "personal" faith; nea, it is talking about the "reasonableness" of the Christian faith,it's logic, the conviction, substance, foundation, of what the Jewish believers, but have not seen; thus, our faith is based upon evidence, but not by what we have seen, as we walk by faith, not by sight.We believe, to see, and not the opposite.What we see, is what we know; what we hear, is what we believe.
How much evidence,Jer?
What James is saying is that real "faith" results in good works and if good works do not result then it is not a saving faith. But he is not saying that works are required for salvation, as evidenced by what he said in the first chapter:
"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures"
(Jas.1:18).
And Peter teaches the same thing:
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God...And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Pet.23,25).
Do be a dear, Jerry, and lay out "real" faith. How much "good works?" Muslims, Buddhists, JW's, Mormons .................can demonstrate "good works." And? Lay it out for us, as eternal destinies are at stake. You talk like John Mac., Catholics, Kirl Cameron..............-they talk like you. Of course, because most of "Christendom" are rebels, and refuse to rightly divide the word of truth, they fall into the ditch of "Lordship 'Salvation'."
So, if what James is saying, affirms what Paul is saying, as, according to you, "It all says the same thing,"....
if good works do not result then it is not a saving faith
....Unpack for us the specifics, of "saving faith," how much "good works," and how you know, or anyone else knows,how one can see evidence of "internal" good works, and how anyone/you, can assess whether a Buddhist's, for eg., good works are not "saving faith," while someone else's is.
Unpack it for me, at least, asI am just a dumb hillbilly, scratchin' my noggin.
Jethro John