James 2:14-26
Today's Passage: James 2:14-26
This has been one of the more controversial passages in Scripture. It seems as if James is saying that people are justified by their works, whereas other places in Scripture say it is by faith. So how do we understand this controversial passage?
We need to look at the consistent theological truth in Scripture. People have never been justified by their works. In the Old Testament, priests performed the right sacrifices, but they didn’t find favor in God’s eyes because their works were done out of obligation and not faith (Malachi 2:1-9). The thief on the cross in Luke 23 could not perform any works and yet he was justified because of his faith. Lastly, I love what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And the ESV commentary says: Paul and James would agree that the basis of salvation is grace alone through faith, with works not the basis but the necessary result thereof. Which is exactly what we see in Ephesians 2:8-10.
Good works are to accompany faith. Good works can display our faith. There is nothing we could do to earn salvation, but upon receiving Jesus, our lives should point others to Him.
How does understanding this truth encourage you today?
Written By: Brice Stockton
This has been one of the more controversial passages in Scripture. It seems as if James is saying that people are justified by their works, whereas other places in Scripture say it is by faith. So how do we understand this controversial passage?
We need to look at the consistent theological truth in Scripture. People have never been justified by their works. In the Old Testament, priests performed the right sacrifices, but they didn’t find favor in God’s eyes because their works were done out of obligation and not faith (Malachi 2:1-9). The thief on the cross in Luke 23 could not perform any works and yet he was justified because of his faith. Lastly, I love what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And the ESV commentary says: Paul and James would agree that the basis of salvation is grace alone through faith, with works not the basis but the necessary result thereof. Which is exactly what we see in Ephesians 2:8-10.
Good works are to accompany faith. Good works can display our faith. There is nothing we could do to earn salvation, but upon receiving Jesus, our lives should point others to Him.
How does understanding this truth encourage you today?
Written By: Brice Stockton
1 Comment
God's grace that seeks & finds us and then calls us to do good works for Him & for others is so encouraging! I love that there's nothing we have to do to be 'enough' for Him. He did it all Himself, so HE is enough for us. And we don't have to be enough for anyone else, since the call of the Christian life is not to meet someone's standard but to actively share God's love with others.