Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

A Christian's is dead in Christ, that is, their flesh, sinful flesh. Hence, they are raised into the life of Christ, which is, Christ spirit life existing in heaven. Now if you are dead in Christ, the works performed are Christ Jesus works as the true vine, and not yours.

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Any work of meeting some rule, bible, or otherwise, to prove oneself better, or righteous, is a lie, it cannot be done, why? Because it is the life of the true vine in us that produces the good works. Moreover, it is Christ Jesus righteousness in us, and not self-righteousness, why? Because self is dead, the old self is dead and only Christ exist, if we live by faith.

Ephesians 2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

So producing good works by legal command is like looking at a fruit tree, and asking: “Is it a fruit tree? Lets command it too produce good fruit! In other words, by the fruits a tree will be known, so put away the filth of your own flesh by good works, and see if you stand righteous before God/YHWH. Tell God; “ I am righteous outside of Christ Jesus righteousness, because I obey your commandments.”

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

No! Christ obeyed the commandments, and give you his righteous life, it is a gift of undeserved kindness, how are you going to earn that, how are you going to be anymore pleasing too God than Christ Jesus? If you are in him, than he lives through you, and you in him, now does the fruit bear the tree? Or the tree bear the fruit? Are the fruit yours by good works, or is it Christ good works of Holy Spirit working through the branches?

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

John 15:4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 15:5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Taking the works James spoke to, out of context to the rest of God's words does not now make self-good works, Christ good works produce through his righteousness.

James 2:18 Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

James 2:20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

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