Works and Faith...?

Question

James tells us that our faith - without works - is dead. Paul tells us that our faith alone guarantees our salvation. I understand there is a balance - but when do I know my works have sufficiently demonstrated my faith?

Answer 1

It is important to note Paul is talking about works used to earn salvation, while James is talking about good deeds done as a result of salvation. Two sides of different coins.

Answer 2

I am shocked by how many good answers you have gotten. I agree with many of the others that faith is what gets you there, and that Paul and James were talking about different point in a person's walk. No amount of good deeds is getting you into Heaven. Faith in God and Christ then leads to works. You should always be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It will show you the ways you can help. There comes a point in your life that you have done enough for the Kingdom, that point is commonly referred to as death. In other words, do your best to do what God wants you to until He takes you home.

Answer 3

Great question! this has been the argument between the philosophers and theologians for 2000 years....I dont think we can solve it on Yahoo. BUT let's try....Paul says...in Galatians , the only thing that matters is "faith working through love." Also, after Paul says, "work out your salvation, with fear and trembling..." he then quickly adds "but it is God who began in you a good work " (philipians). ANd finally the most important is 1 Corinthians 13, where he says if "I have great faith, enough to move mountains, and enough trust to give all i have to the poor...but i have no love...It's worth nothing.".....So There is a definate balance..BUT...in my opinion i think there is a difference between the spirit of the law (LOVE) and works . The spirit of the law is love, there is no law for the fruits of the Holy spirit , as paul says, (Notice he says fruits, as opposed to WORKS of the flesh)...Love is a fruit of the Spirit, a gift from God, a sign that you know God (God is Love , and he who loves abides in God and God in him 1 john 4:16).. BUt I think you can get by on Love alone, if you truly love, you are united to God, Faith helps you get there, but Faith isn't the end, it's love. The greatest of these. B/c what about those who never heard of Jesus? They are saved through their love, which is really God's love. So I would say it's not Faith vs. Works. BUt it's Works vs. Love. Faith , i take to mean, Love, cuz only real faith is faith working throuhg love.

Answer 4

James says that our faith should be a part of our whole life. Not just our thought life, but by what we do and how we treat others. However, we can't achieve salvation by our effort alone. That's where Jesus comes in. We need to believe in Christ in order to be saved. By professing that to God, we have our inheritance in heaven. It's not our achievements that matter so much, but God does have a plan for us and if we're willing we can be part of it. Whatever you do if it's for God and if you act on faith, you'll know He'll be pleased with you because you relied completely on Him.

Answer 5

The answer is that you are seeking to do "works" for the wrong reason. "Works" are their own reward. If helping others and lifting them up isn't the reward, then are you the person you are trying to be?

It seems like there's no magical tally of good deeds you need to accomplish, you just need to change your heart and do good deeds because that is who you are rather than because it's what you ought to do to achieve salvation. Honestly, just because you've done a thousand good deeds does that change your heart so you don't yearn to feed the next starving child you see? If you ever feel your good deeds are "done" you have already missed the mark. If you can walk past that 1001st person in need feeling all of your "works" are done then you obviously haven't accepted the new heart from Jesus your religion teaches about.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an atheist so perhaps my thoughts don't matter in this discussion but a few things seem evident. I only do "good works" for selfish reasons - because I want to tolerate and respect myself. To achieve that, I'll never be done with good works. If need to you love your God as much as l need to tolerate and respect myself you need to be what you feel He wants.

Answer 6

One does not need to demonstrate faith, one needs to LIVE it... I think James was trying to get people off their duff and make things happen rather than just paying "lip-service" to their beliefs. Paul was more speaking to those who did not yet believe. Likewise, if you do "works" thinking it will lead to salvation...guess again! God knows your heart,and your motivations.

Answer 7

There is one way to know that you have faithfully done your good work. Examine your heart if you see yourself as the one who has accomplished the good work or if you acknowledge that it was God alone who made it happen and not yourself. (Ephesians 2:8-10). Try to make it a habit that when people praise you for your good work, say with all of your heart "Thank you, but really it was God not me". People might say, "Your crazy!" but to God, He prabably say, "Thats faith in deed!"

Answer 8

First of all, it's not your works and your faith. It is Jesus Christ's works and His faith working in you. You cannot do anything to please God because you are spiritually dead. Only Christ has accomplished what needed to be done, therefore He is a Saviour of all. The works are the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5. Christ works in you and through you. Not my will but His will be done.

Answer 9

Faith determines our salvation. Works determine our eternal reward. You will only know if your works were sufficient when you are in His presence.

Answer 10

works do not demonstrate your faith. Your faith alone has saved you but byy knowing God has first loved you gives you the want to do what's right in his eyes, even though tempted to do otherwise. Jesus said (please don't report me for saying so) That the only unforgivable sin is to not accept him as God, who is is. So everyone has sinned normally but they are all erased accept the one of not accepting and trusting in him.