The book of James illustrates how a Christian ought to live their life in the light of Gods inspired Word (the Scriptures), i.e., we are to be a doer of the Word of God (James 1:22), not just a hearer. This book shows us that as born again believers, we must have an uncompromising obedience and devotion to the Word of God to some degree (we are always reforming).
Considering this overarching theme, i.e., doing and hearing the Word, James shows us that true saving faith (justification by faith alone) will be validated by spiritual fruitfulness in the Christians life. Its important to note that salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, and not of our works, so that no man may boast (Eph. 2:8-9). However, James highlights that true saving faith will be validated by the fruit of works (2:17).
Lets look at the text:
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead
As you work through the book of James I assume several different red flags arose, specifically in this passage of scripture above (red flags will appear if the Word is not properly divided). Verses like James 1:24 stating “that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone, may throw you off. If you are theologically astute you may be saying to yourself right now, “I thought salvation was by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone?” You’re right, it is. Again, you may be saying; “well doesn’t this passage completely contradict what Paul wrote in his epistles?” No, it doesn’t.
As we approach this text it is important to realize that both Paul and James both affirm that salvation is through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not of works. Remember, the Word of God never contradicts itself. By examining the book of James, we will gain a greater sense of saving faith, as we will later see that James is referring to the fruit of justification by faith alone, which validates saving faith, which is works. James highlights a different aspect of saving faith that Paul never touched on. Therefore, it is essential to realize that Paul and James both have a different sense and usage of the word “Justify”.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, uses the word “Justify” as signaling a person who is Declared righteous by God through faith, on the basis of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. In other words, Paul emphasizes the process of being reconciled to God through legal terms. On the other hand, when James uses the term “Justify” he is indicated that true fruit of being justified in the sight of God is works. If you truly have saving faith, it will be accompanied by works. Remember, as Jonathan Edwards once said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” Therefore, James is telling us that if you have been born again by the supernatural work of God, by faith in Christ alone, then you will produce works as evidence of that salvation.
Thus, both “theologies”, as one would say, complement each other. Through Paul’s letters we see that absolutely no one can save themselves. A dead man can’t raise himself from the grave and reconcile his way back to God… it takes the supernatural work of the Spirit of God to make a man’s heart of stone into a heart of flesh (see Ezekiel 36:26). Salvation is completely by the grace of God alone, by faith in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone! James adds to this picture of God’s sovereign grace by showing us how one can be sure of such salvation, as it will be validated by work. For James, “faith alone” means a bogus kind of faith, where it is mere intellectual agreement. It is a “belief” without a genuine personal trust in Christ, which does not bear fruit in one’s life. Remember, Justification is by FAITH ALONE, and spiritual fruitfulness (works as fruit) will be evidence of true, saving faith. As stated earlier in James’ letter, this person will not only be a hearer of the Word of God, but also a doer (James 1:22). This Person will confidently trust and stand on the Word of God, being obedient in every circumstance. Yet even as born again believers we fail day after day in our obedience to the Lord.
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