In the epistle of James we read: "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (Jas:2:24). Understandably, many have been each confused and disturbed by these words because it appears that James is teaching a totally distinctive way of salvation to Paul. The only way an individual might be justified prior to God, in accordance with Paul's clear and constant teaching, is by way of faith in Christ alone. By way of example, see Rom.3:28 and Gal.2:16.
Martin Luther, who's teaching on 'justification by faith in Christ alone' spearheaded the Reformation, wanted to exclude the epistle of James from the Bible, calling it "an epistle of straw". But we know that all Scripture is God-inspired, and while there may be some apparent contradictions, you can find no genuine disagreements amongst the distinct components from the Bible when understood properly. So we have to generally seek to harmonize the Scriptures, not exclude those passages we cannot explain. How do we harmonize James and Paul?
James And Paul Agree On The Gospel
First, we understand that James was not at variance with Paul on the matter of justification by faith, since both guys were an integral component in the Council of Jerusalem when this teaching was under siege by Judaizers who taught that it was necessary for Gentile Christians to be circumcised and hold the law to be able to be saved (Acts 15:1&5). During this Council it was unanimously resolved once and for all that we are not saved via works of the law,symptoms of allergies in kids, but by grace, via faith in Christ alone (e.g. Acts 15:9-11).
Paul wrote both Romans and Galatians with the express purpose in mind of clarifying God's way of righteousness. Romans was written to clarify the true nature of your gospel, in which the righteousness of God is revealed, i.e. we are justified by believing in Christ alone. Galatians was written to bring correction on this issue when false teachers had been attempting to deceive new Christians into believing that it was also important for them to maintain the law as a way to stay right with God. The purpose of James' epistle was not to explain the way of justification at all. His concern was that believers show appropriate mercy and care towards their fellow Christians; and in doing so, he said, they would give evidence on the genuineness of their faith. In this way their works would justify, or authenticate, their profession of faith.
Those who teach we are not justified by faith alone, but also by our functions, appeal to James' statement without understanding the background, context and indeed his purpose in writing this epistle. If you wanted to know more about Paul's letter to the Ephesians and you heard that I had a 12-part exposition on CD on the entire epistle; but you also heard that I happened to mention Ephesians in passing in a message about a totally unrelated topic, which would you obtain to get a better grasp of Ephesians? Well, of course you would be interested within the 12-part series which specifically expounds this epistle. Similarly, if we want to understand the subject of justification we would not seek to do so, on the basis of a few words mentioned by James in passing. We would turn to those epistles which had been specifically written to teach the truth about the doctrine of justification. Never make the obscure cancel out the plain teaching of God's Word on any subject.
Paul's Teaches Justification By Faith Alone. James' Asks 'What Is Faith?'
James does not throw into question whether we are justified by faith. He agrees with Paul that it is the only way we may be saved. What he seeks to do is put to the test one's profession of faith. Is it really faith? By way of example, he asks, does the individual who says to the cold and hungry, "go in peace, be fed and made warm" really believe that they will? On what grounds? Such an individual is saying,get yeast infection, "I really believe you will be OK." He believes empty stomachs may be automatically filled. He believes that naked bodies is usually automatically clothed. This kind of faith is groundless; it is empty. If a person has this kind of faith towards their brothers and sisters, what kind of faith did they have when they professed to believe Christ? James asks, "Can such faith save him?" (James two:14, NIV).
Furthermore, true faith is much more than giving mental assent to something. By way of example, even the devils believe that God is true. But are they saved? No, genuine faith leads an individual to put their trust entirely in the finished work from the Christ on the cross for salvation. The devils don't do this.
Paul Is Concerned With Justification Before God. James Is Concerned With Justification Ahead of Man
This leads us to another important point. Paul is concerned with justification just before God. Throughout Paul's teaching in Romans and Galatians, God is the One who does the justifying. The whole matter of justification is in between us and God. He sees those who put their trust in Christ and declares such to become righteous. James, however, is concerned with a person's profession of faith being justified (or verified) prior to man as it is evidenced by its outworking. He says, "Show me your faith without your functions, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).
It is only when we grasp this that James' reference to Abraham being justified by performs could be understood. Abraham was justified a long time just before he offered up Isaac to God; in fact, even prior to Isaac was born! (See Gen.15:6). But his obedience faltered lots of times, leaving us asking, "Did he really believe?" God knew all along that he was a true believer,homeopathy for allergies, and justified him the moment he believed. But an onlooker would be left wondering. Decades passed from the time Abraham was declared righteous until the day he offered Isaac. Then, his faith was demonstrated for all to see. Our actions let others know that our faith is genuine. But ahead of God, he was already justified. In Genesis 15 he was justified prior to God. In Genesis 22 he was justified ahead of men.
Works are the effects of righteousness. But emphasizing the effects will never produce the effects. Emphasize the cause and the effects will follow. Emphasize grace and performs will result. Grace will constantly produce good operates. Works will never produce grace. That's why grace preachers usually don't preach a lot about functions. Instead they tend to the roots, knowing that the fruits grow from the roots. Christ is the root of our righteousness and our sanctification.
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