Book of James - 6 - 2:14-26 True Faith Produces Works
This passage, James 2:14-26 seems to be problematic. James says flat out – “we are justified by our works”. What does he mean? Is he contradicting Paul? I have to say no!
Ephesians 2:8-10 gives us the perfect way to relate faith and works:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are saved by faith and no works, but we are saved for the purpose of doing works.
Even when James appeals to Abraham’s life to show that Abraham was saved by works, he quotes Genesis 15:6 which is clear that it was Abraham’s faith that was counted to him righteousness and then many years later, his faith is shown to be alive, when he trusted God to the point of being willing to sacrifice his only child.
Faith without works is death. Works show that our faith is alive.
Ephesians 2:8-10 gives us the perfect way to relate faith and works:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are saved by faith and no works, but we are saved for the purpose of doing works.
Even when James appeals to Abraham’s life to show that Abraham was saved by works, he quotes Genesis 15:6 which is clear that it was Abraham’s faith that was counted to him righteousness and then many years later, his faith is shown to be alive, when he trusted God to the point of being willing to sacrifice his only child.
Faith without works is death. Works show that our faith is alive.
Comments
Post a Comment