Christian's?... how do you interpret...?

Question

James 2:24
Ye see then how by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

We are saved by the atonement and justified(worthy of the atonement) by works? So without works we cannot return to the presence of God in heaven?

Read James 2:17-26 for further support.

Answer 1

24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
we also must live out our faith and do the work that God has sent each of us to do.

Answer 2

It is not saying you must do works in order to be justified, it is saying that God will look at what you have done when you are judged at the end of time. God will see if you have been living as a Christian should, by following His commands. You need faith but you need to act like a Christian too, not just say "I'm a Christian" but then do whatever you want regardless of what the Bible says. That's what I think this verse is saying.

Answer 3

Read the entire passage. He is saying that you cannot say, "I have faith so I don't have to do anything". No your faith will lead you to do good things. Faith is invisible, works are visible, works when done in the faith is your faith made visible.

Also your works done "in the faith" can only be done once you have found atonement, otherwise your works are done for your own sake and not for God's glory. In other words merely being good wont redeem you. Repentance redeems you, but good works help to justify you.

Answer 4

That's always been a problem for Faith-only Christians. They do have an answer though. Christians preach that "works" are a sign of faith, a result, rather than being efficacious on their own. The works that James speaks of are supposedly not the thing that will save one, rather they are a result of the faith that has already saved.

Answer 5

If one is saved (justified) there is a change in heart. That inward change must be reflected in an outward change. Change in attitude and behavior. While the works alone will not be enough, they are an outward sign of the inward change.

Take a a beat up, decaying shack. Go inside and redo the inside. That's nice, but if you don't also fixup the outside, it's still just a falling down shack, no matter how nice the inside looks...

Answer 6

Those who lean unto there own understanding of scripture are leading others astray and blinded by their "pride!" But this has to occur for the Kingdom of God is coming to this earth and establish His way as the only way.

Pride is man's downfall. The End of the circle of man's self rule will be the beginning of Christ's Kingdom but that "pride" must be broken first!

Answer 7

First notice that in the passage the word "justified" and not "saved" is used.

Works are evidence of faith. Someone without faith will not bear "good fruit". That is, it is clear that those who routinely and intentionally do great works of evil have not accepted Christ, because by their works we can see they do not revere God. If man could justify himself through his own works, the sacrifice of Christ would not be needed.

It is important to realize that Christ was sent to save us because none were without sin, and none was good. After Christ, man's nature does not change; man is simply saved in spite of their sin, not because of what they perceive as good works. Christ's salvation is timeless, and it covers all of our sins, past and future.

Romans 3:20 -- "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in [God's] sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Romans 3:28 -- "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Titus 3:5 -- "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

In the passage you mention, John was addressing those who say they are Christians but are obviously not. Jesus did the same when he criticized the Pharisees for appearing to be holy with tradition for the sake of man, but inwardly being spiritually dead.

Politicians routinely use a Christian label for popularity, but then do things that are clearly anti-Christian. This is what John was attacking.

For more information about that particular passage, try these links (gotquestions.org is a good site for lots of tough bible questions):

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/james2-24.html
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/worksgood.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html

Answer 8

You cannot interpret that scripture. It is exactly what it says.

You must be saved on a daily basis. No one is saved but Jesus Christ in heaven, which is the first to rise from the dead. You must continue as He did to obtain the reward.
God will not save anyone inspite of themselves.

Answer 9

faith will naturally lead to works ... but works only doesnt justify either ...

Answer 10

Rev..20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.