SCRIPTURE: JAMES 2
BIBLE VERSES:
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (James 2:1)
“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:9)
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14)
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)
“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26)
FAVORITISM FORBIDDEN (vs. 1-13)
Christians must show love by treating others the way the Lord treats us. It is a sin to show favoritism to those who are rich and ignore the poor.
FAITH AND DEEDS (vs. 14-26)
True saving faith is accompanied by action. Abraham prove his faith by obeying God and offering his son. Rahab, the prostitute was considered righteous when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off to a different direction.
THOUGHTS:
Paul said: “A man is justified by faith apart from works of the law (Romans 5:5). James said: “A man is justified by what he does and not by faith alone (James 2:24)
Did Paul and James contradict with each other? No, in fact they complement each other. We are justified before God by faith, but we are justified before men by works. God sees our faith but man sees only our works:
According to Paul – It is the work of Christ on the cross that forgives and acquits us and count us righteous. Therefore, we start our Christian life justified by faith alone. No human works or deeds can justify us before God.
According to James – Paul’s teaching of justification by faith alone was being distorted and misused. People were saying: “If we are justified while we are ungodly by faith alone, this magnifies the grace of God. So, let us keep sinning because we are secured anyway and God’s grace will get more glory. James was emphasizing a real faith that works through love. His concern is that people have real savings faith not counterfeit faith because real faith produces loving behavior. James described counterfeit faith in 3 ways – First dead faith – no works. Second, Devil faith – belief in right doctrine which dumb also did. Third – useless faith – idle, ineffective, vain and empty.
PAUL AND JAMES’ INTERPRETATION OF “JUSTIFICATION BY WORK”
Paul’s meaning of by work means deeds done to show that you deserve God’s blessings. It means gaining right standing with God by the merit of works. James’ meaning of work means the fruits and evidence of faith. It means maintaining a right standing with God by faith along with the necessary evidence of faith which is the works of love. In summary, Paul and James’ position are not contradictory. Faith alone unites us to Christ for righteousness. But it has to bear fruits of love to prove his real saving faith. In other words, when you come to know Christ, it is by faith alone. But after you become a believer, your faith must show results through works. Genuine faith in Christ produces a changed life and result in good works