Faith without works is dead

 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

 

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

 

James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

 

Romans 3:28 and James 2:24 seem to contradict each other, don’t they? They do not though. The Bible has no contradictions. You only need to understand what is meant.

 

Romans 3:28 says that ...man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (all emphasis, in italics, is mine). Here, the faith is real faith and the works spoken of are those of man’s effort, just to be obedient to the Law, so they are not a part of the faith that justifies us. That’s why Roman’s 3:28 says we are justified by faith and not works of the Law.

 

James 2:24 says that … man is justified by works and not by faith alone. The works spoken of in James 2:24 are works which proceed from faith and love, not works which proceed from simply obeying the Law. These are works from faith so they are a part of the faith that justifies us because faith without works is dead and not faith at all.

 

These works from faith are simply proof of true faith. Real works are a result of real faith. So, we are justified by faith apart from works of the Law but we are not justified by faith that has no works of faith proving that faith exists because faith that is real has works (or else it is not faith at all but a work of man and not of God). Works are proof of faith just like confessing Christ as Lord is proof of being born again (if you believe in your heart what you confess) and necessary for salvation because without confessing Jesus as Lord you would obviously have had no new birth. When you are truly saved you naturally confess that truth.

 

Romans 4:3-8 

 

3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

 

4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

 

5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

 

6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

   7 "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,

        AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

   8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (underline of verse 5 is mine)

 

I believe Romans 4:3-8 (simply explained in verse 5) speaks of works of the Law or deeds (i.e. good works), which cannot justify us: Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

 

In other words, we are justified by faith apart from works of the Law, or deeds, but we are not justified by faith that does not somewhere, somehow, have evidence of faith by works of the Spirit or works of faith.

 

Abraham and David had works of faith proving their faith existed. Here is an example from my life.

 

Works of the Law: These are things done to be obedient to God’s commandments. We have all sinned so works cannot justify us, because God’s holiness requires perfection (Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect).

 

Such perfection is only by God giving us the gift of Christ’s righteousness. Obeying God’s laws comes naturally from a new birth in Christ Jesus as we walk in the Spirit. We obey His commandments from a different perspective. We obey from a perspective of love and faith in Christ not from a perspective of simply obeying a burdensome law. In Christ the Law it not burdensome. You should be obedient but obedience without faith does not justify you. When we obey God’s laws by faith in Christ, then those works are works of faith because they flow from faith and love and are the works James speaks of in James 2:24.

 

Works which proceed only from obeying the Law begin with the Law and end with a duty. You read or hear the command of God and then you obey the command only because you are commanded.

 

Works of faith (works of the Spirit): These are works that flow from your faith. Works which proceed from faith begin with love (John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.) and your faith in God (Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.) and produce works proving that faith (James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself).

 

Let’s say you have faith that you will get a certain job but you do not apply for the job. Your faith is useless without the work of that faith which is applying for the job.

 

Or, let’s say you do apply for the job but you have something in your past that you think might keep you from getting that job and you contemplate calling an attorney to get the thing expunged from your police record. Now, you’re trying to perfect by the flesh what is done in the Spirit (Galatians 3:2-5). If you believe what you say you believe, if you have faith, then do not doubt. In this case your work of faith is completely handing it over to God (as you have failed to do so) believing that He has already given you what you asked for. Get out of His way and believe. Trust the Lord and acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) in your dealings with man in regards to all things (your work of faith is confessing Jesus with your mouth before your perspective employers) if you do not get that job because of confessing Jesus, then it was not for you and God just saved you a lot of heartache. If you do get the job after trusting and acknowledging the Lord, then it was a job you should have and you can feel sure that you are in God’s will. These are the works that prove your faith and by such faith, with works that proceed from that faith, you are justified. Such faith with works keeps you on the right path and lets you be sure, in your spirit, that you are on the right path. Faith like this leads to peace of mind (Philippians 4:7).

 

In another example, lets say you see someone who is need and do not help them (James 2:15-17) because you do not think there is a law that says you must help in this situation. By only adhering the Law (which is simply a tutor) you negate the Spirit of the Law and are a transgressor (Romans 2:27) even though you held to the letter of the Law. Faith without works is dead.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

 

 

If you’re not saved, come to Jesus!