FAITH + WORKS For Salvation
(A STUDY IN JAMES 2)
“Do you believe a man is saved by grace?”
“Yes, certainly, However, works are also essential.”
“ Then you do not believe a man is saved by grace
alone?”
“How can I, when James the 2nd chapter informs us
that “faith without works is DEAD?”
So argued the water-works Salvationist. And so argue all who contend that sinners must submit to physical ordinances and obey the moral laws of God in order to finally, at last, maybe perhaps make it to heaven. When hard pressed to prove there doctrine, they invariably flee to James 2:14-26 for defense. Here all who believe in Christ + works for salvation find common ground.
A CHRISTIAN IS JUUSTIFIED BY GOOD WORKSBut no one can carefully read James 2 and honestly contend that the writer is showing sinners how to be “born again,” how to be saved, how to have a home in heaven! James is simply explaining to Christians brethren how to prove they ARE saved. As we read in vs. 18, “I will SHOW thee my faith BY MY WORKS.” And that is the only way any Christian can show his faith by doing works that only living faith can produce.
ABRAHAM and RAHAB were JUSTIFIED BY WORKS that is, their works proved they had living faith in God. The faith that saved Abraham preceded the offering of Isaac by some 20 years! See Gen. 15:6; Gal.3:6-9; Gen. 22. His offering Isaac PROVED his faith to be perfect for “he staggered NOT at the promise of God through unbelief” – Romans 4:20. Dead faith can have no works! But living faith germinates good works as we have been “SAVED UNTO (or for the purpose of doing) GOOD WORKS.” See Eph 2:10. Note 8:9
GOD WAS JUSTIFIED BY THE PEOPLEAnother use of the word “justified” is found in Luke 7:29, “the people…and the publicans justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” Neddless to sat, God was not saved by the people, though He was justified by them, for justification as regarding God or man means to declare one (or the other) to be right.
A SINNER IS JUSTIFIED BY BELIEVINGA sinner can be brought into right relationship to God (that is, justified, made fit for heaven) by penitently BELIEVING “the record of God’s son.” See 1 John 5:1-13). No sinner has ever been justified by works, for “the grace of God that bringeth salvation” is opposed to works for salvation, even as Romans 11:6 declares, “IF BY GRACE then is it NO MORE OF WORKS, otherwise grace is no more grace…”God the Father has already provided a sufficient life and sacrifice for our sins through His Son Jesus Christ, whom He has raised from the dead. See 1 Peter 2:22-24; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; 2 Cor. 5:21. Here, then, is God’s plan for saving or JUSTIFYING sinners: “This is the work of (singular) of God, that ye BELIEVE on Him Whom He hath sent.” – John 6:29. For “to him that WORKETH NOT, but BELIVETH on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness WITHOUT WORKS.” – Rom. 4:5-6. “For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself, it is THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boars.” – Eph. 2:8-9. Therefore, being JUSTIFIED (declared right) BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Rom. 5:1.
It is clear there can be no salvation for the sinner who, like Cain, has faith in his own dead works rather than like Abel, who had faith in the coming Messiah of God.’
A FINAL WORD: Yes, “the demons also BELIEVE, and tremble,” (vs 19) but nowhere in the Bible are we told they believe on Jesus Christ as their Saviour. They DID believe on Him as their coming tormentor and destroyer. See Matt. 8:29; Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8. And they also believed “there is one God.” But multiplied millions have so believed and died eternally lost! Believing “there is one God” will not save, but believing on Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour will! John 5:24; Acts 16:31.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Amen & AmenBrother Love
<))><
Author