Grace: Faith or Works? - Talk Jesus

Chad · 11-21-08

Are we saved by grace or works?

Saved by grace
1. (Ephesians 2:8-9) - "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, that no one should boast."
2. (Rom. 3:20,28) - "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."
3. (Galatians 2:16) - "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
Saved by works
1. (James 2:24) - "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."
2. (Matthew 19:1617) - "And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

God does not want a faith that is empty and hypocritical. James 2 is talking about those who "say" that they have faith but have no works. Therefore, people cannot tell if they are true believers or not, because there is no fruit. That kind of a faith is useless and is not a saving faith. True faith results in true works.

In Matthew 19:16-17, Jesus was speaking to a Lawyer who was self-righteous since he wanted to put Jesus to the test (Luke 10:25). He asked what he must do in order to obtain eternal life and Jesus responded with the requirements of keeping the commandments. If a person keeps all of the commandments, it would seem that they could obtain eternal life. However, nobody can keep all of the commandments. Therefore, Jesus' comments to this man show this man that justification can only be by faith since no one can keep all of the commandments. This is why it says in Eph. 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith. Also, Romans 3:20,28 and Galatians 2:16 tells us that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law; that is, by the works that he can do.

There is no contradiction at all when we examine the contexts. We are justified by faith but that faith must be alive (James 2). The Law cannot save us because we are incapable of keeping it (Matthew 19:16-17). Therefore, salvation is by grace through faith.

Are We Justified by Faith (Romans) or by Works (James)?

In Romans it says,

"because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight . . . " (Rom. 3:20)

"for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law," (Rom. 3:28)

"For what does the Scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness'" (Rom. 4:3)

"Therefore, having been justified by faith . . . " (Rom. 5:1)

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).

In James it says, "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone," (James 2:24) and " . . . so also faith without works is dead," (James 2:26).

Which is it? Are we justified by faith or by works?

Does the Bible Contradict Itself?

It is a fundamental Christian belief that we are justified by faith. Justification means that God declares a sinner to be righteous. He does this by crediting, by reckoning the righteousness of Jesus to the sinner. This is done by faith. That is, when the sinner puts his faith in the sacrifice of Jesus and trusts in Him and not himself for righteousness, then God justifies him. "And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," (Rom. 4:3). But, if the Bible teaches that we are justified by faith, does it also teach we are justified by works as James seems to say? Do we have a contradiction? The answer is no.

Context is Everything

It is erroneous to take a verse, read it without its context, and then attempt to develop a doctrine from that verse alone. Therefore, let's take a look at the context of James 2:24 which says that a man is justified by works. James chapter 2 has 26 verses: Verses 1-7 instruct us to not show favoritism. Verses 8- 13 are comments on the Law. Verses 14-26 are about the relationship between faith and works.

Summary of James Chapter 2

14 - What use is it if someone says he has faith but no works?
15 - If you see someone in need
16 - and you don't give him what he needs, but say, ‘Go in peace, be warmed.' What use is that?
17 - therefore faith with no works is dead
18 - therefore, someone says "I will show you my faith by my works."
19 - you believe in God? Good. The demons do too.
20 - faith without works is useless.
21 - Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac
22 - faith was working with his works.
23 - Scripture says, "And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"
24 - you see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
25 - Rahab, was justified by works
26 - faith without works is dead

Notice that James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith, verses 14. He then immediately gives an example of what true and false faiths are. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17). Then he shows that that type of faith isn't much different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith by showing Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.

James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20).

This is why in the middle of his section on faith and works, he says in verse 19, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James says this because the demons believe in God, that is, they have faith, but the faith they have is useless. It does not result in appropriate works. Their faith is only a mental acknowledgment of God's existence.

Ascentia and Fiducia

Two words are worth introducing here: ascentia and fiducia. Ascentia is the mental ascent, the mental acknowledgment of something's existence. The demons acknowledge and believe that God exists. Fiducia is more than mental acknowledgment. It involves a trust in something, a giving over to it, a complete believing and acceptance of something. This is the kind of faith that a Christian has in Christ. A Christian, therefore, has fiducia; that is, he has real faith and trust in Christ, not simply an acknowledgment that He lived on earth at one time. Another way to put this is that there are many people in the world who believed that Jesus lived: ascentia. But they do not believe that He is their savior, the one to be looked to and trusted for the forgiveness of their sins.

Ascentia does not lead to works. Fiducia does. Ascentia is not of the heart. Fiducia is.

What is James Saying?

James is simply saying that if you ‘say' you are a Christian, then there had better be some appropriate works manifested or your faith is false. This sentiment is echoed in 1 John 2:4 which says, "If you say you have come to know Him, yet you do not keep His commandments, then the truth is not in you and you are a liar."

Apparently, there were people who were saying they were Christians, but were not manifesting any of the fruit of Christianity. Can this faith justify? Can the dead ‘faith' that someone has which produces no change in a person and no good works before men and God be a faith that justifies? Absolutely not. It is not merely enough to say you believe in Jesus. You must actually believe and trust in Him. If you actually do, then you will demonstrate that faith by a changed and godly life. If not, then your profession is of no more value than the same profession of demons: "We believe Jesus lived."

Notice that James actually quotes the same verse that Paul uses to support the teaching of justification by faith in Rom. 4:3. James 2:23 says, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example.

Therefore, we are justified by faith. That is, we are made righteous in the eyes of God by faith as is amply demonstrated by Romans. However, that faith, if it is true, will result in deeds appropriate to salvation. After all, didn't God say in Eph. 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

faithworks · 09-18-08

AMEN AMEN Chad.

I went out this weekand in Tulsa with ministry called "Seeking the Lost Ministry" that is what I call putting faith into action. I can do nothing to save myself it is only by His blood. THE CROSS!! But, when I serve Him in all things I am showing Him, He worthy of all things...

in His service,
debbi

aksd · 01-15-08

Would like to add here Rev. C. I. Scofield's comments, that helped me understand this issue of apparent discrepancy between Romans 4:2 and James 2:24 on of Faith vs works. I quote the note on Romans 4:2 from his KJV Bible (emphasis in Bold mine, in Italics Scofield's):

"These are two aspects of one truth. Paul speaks of that which justifies man before God, viz faith alone, wholly apart from works; James of the proof before men, that he who professes to have justifying faith really has it. Paul speaks of what God sees - Faith; James of what men see - works, as the visible evidence of faith. Paul draws his illustration from Gen.15:6; James from Gen.22:1-19. James' key phrase is "ye see" (James 2:24), for men cannot see faith except as manifested through works."

LornaDoone · 02-25-08

Chad, nicely explained.

Mark 10:45 '...For the Son of Man came not be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' (NRSV)

I realise that what Jesus says here comes in the context of the request of James and John; however that phrase 'not to be served but to serve' I think has some relevence here.

Because of love God met us, who had sinned, in His Son.

Because of love Jesus came, healed many, brought God's forgiveness, and gave His life on the cross to pay the cost of our sins.

This is an enourmous love - greater and more endless that we can possibly imagine.

And if we have faith - if we love the Lord our God with all our hearts and minds and souls and strength we too, His disciples, will serve also.
We will do 'good works' (serve) because of His love that fills us (faith).

blessings.

Word of Life · 11-08-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

In Matthew 19:16-17, Jesus was speaking to a Lawyer who was self-righteous since he wanted to put Jesus to the test (Luke 10:25). He asked what he must do in order to obtain eternal life and Jesus responded with the requirements of keeping the commandments. If a person keeps all of the commandments, it would seem that they could obtain eternal life. However, nobody can keep all of the commandments.

Is the above a typing error, "nobody can keep all of the commandments" because, I don't understand. If one abides in Christ, he will help us to keep the Fathers commandments.

2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

God's free gift to us, was to give us the comforter, (holy spirit) to help us to walk away from darkness (sin). He gave us this free gift through his Son. His son knew no sin, but was tempted just like we are, so we now have the Spirit of Christ, within us, to help us to free us from sin and keep us away from sin and help us to keep Our Father's commandments.

Both The Father and Christ's (spirit), now dwell within me, to help me, and guide me to overcome sin. And all the glory goes to the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, because, it's nothing I did, there was no works on my part. God has given us that gift, because we have confessed to him that we need a saviour for our sins, and if we stay close to Him, through His son, he will guide us away from sin, and teach us His law.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

His Child · 11-26-07

Great post Word of Life,

There are many strong faith people in Johannesburg, and great study materials printed there from the Qodesh Publishers. I hope someday to go there and meet some of my Brothers and Sisters in Yahshua.

Yahweh blessings to you

Hi Child

rizen1 · 11-21-08

To God be the Glory.
Great Post Chad.

I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"
Galatians 2:21

His Child · 11-26-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizen1

I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"
Galatians 2:21

I agree 100%.. HalleluYah

faithworks · 09-18-08

Yes, aksd and wordoflife Amen!!! All I want to do is serve Him in all things and hate what He hates and love what He loves.

debbi

His Child · 11-26-07

Peace,

Righteousness can not be earned through the law, because the law as made for sinners and not the Righteous (1Ti 1:9). The Righteous are not under the law, the sinners are.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of Yahweh. It's impossible to keep all the laws, but that doesn't mean we should ignore them, or not keep them.

The scriptures are very clear what will happen if we sin wilfully >>

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.

Yahweh doesn't want us to fall away again, and many will fall away in the last days. That's why Yahweh gave us the gift of grace found IN Yahshua that pardons our sins so we can to start our life all over again IN Yahshua by living according to what he taught (Righteousness) that leads to salvation.

Yahweh sent His son Yahshua here to teach us how to repent from sin "to stop serving Satan's will", and how to serve Yahweh by doing His Righteous will.

The Word of Yahweh is instructions to repent from living in sin, and to live in Righteousness, and the laws were made for sinners unto righteousness.

Therefore if were sinning then were under the applicabel laws to repent from those sins. If were not sinning then were not under those laws.

The NT scriptures also show Yahweh will put His laws in our hearts and minds (Heb 10:16). He doesn't do that so we can ignore them. He will do that because he wants us to keep them.

Anybody who says were not under the laws is basically saying we don't need them even if we keep serving Satan's will "sinning".

Paul clearly taught to keep the laws, and so did Yahshua and others.

Yahshua wasn't crucified to give us permission to serve the Father if sin.

It's true that we can't earn salvation just by trying to keep the laws.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This calls for understanding of what the word sanctified means: Strongs #37 (to separate from evil things and be dedicate to serving Yahweh)

Being dedicated to Almighty God means to repent from sin and serve His Holy will.

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

The word believeth is strongs # 4100 and means: (to put trust in and be committed unto)

If we trust Christ then we will follow him on his One Way Path of Righteousness unto Salvation. If we don't trust him, we would be denying him by not following and walking with him. Faith without walking with him is clearly dead. All the other many paths lead to destruction and death.

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Once saved always saved? Then how do we explain these >>>

#1 Can we then take the mark of the beast and worshipping it's image?

#2 This is from Christ himself >> Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.

The word iniquity means: "Law breakers" (Strongs #458). It even says in the strongs "those who were ignorant of it, and those who violated it. So look at who Yahshua is going to deny, and who will be accepted.

Now let's confirm that by seeing some of the mentioned lawbreakers that will not be saved >>>

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Yahshua also teaches only a few will find life >>

Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Paul said alot of things, but look what became of him to realize >>

Rom 10:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Christ warns us so many times about these >> "be not decieved" and "don't let anybody lead you astray" and there will be wolves in sheep's clothing, and that in the last days to let no man deceive you, and many will fall away in the last days.

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

We are not justified by the law, for that is impossible, and faith alone is also dead. (James 2:17-26)

It's clearly about becoming and keeping sanctified to separate from profane things and continue to be dedicate to God.

The first and great commandment in the law doesn't say to love Yahweh with some of our heart, or by our mind only. It says to love Yahweh with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, and ALL our mind. (Mat 22:36-37)

So what is true love? The ones that love Yahweh & Yahshua will obey what he taught (John 14:23, 14:15), and his Disciples also taught what Yahshua taught, and it all came from the Father (John 7:16)

His Child

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