Christians, if salvation is by faith alone, and not by works (Paul), and faith without works is dead (James)..

Question

...How do you justify these two statements? Please answer using your own words, your own word pictures, as it were. In other words, please do not cut and paste massive blocks of scripture (a few well chosen ones are typically better). Laymen's terms please.

Also, do any of you think that Paul and James did not like each other very much? A little bit of Apostle rivalry?

Answer 1

You can't get to Heaven ONLY by doing good things. But if those who profess faith don't do any good works, that also is false. If you have faith, you will do good works.

Answer 2

The last part of your statement is true. James and Paul were not the best of friends because James strongly believed that Christ was just for the Jews and Gentiles should not be openly welcomed into the Church. Paul was the exact opposite of that.

However there is no contradiction between the two concerning faith vs works. Paul was emphasizing that you cannot "work" your way to heaven, you need redemption through Christ. James emphasized that you cannot just say, "I am a Christian so I can go to heaven", we also have to find sanctification, or in other words, to do good things.

Paul emphasized the same thing throughout his writings. He referred to it as being a "slave to righteousness" and he would also always describe himself as a "slave to Christ".

You could probably mention any letter by Paul and I can guarantee you he talks about doing good works.

Answer 3

The Jews had the law and they got to a point where they were trying to earn their way to heaven by the way they led their lives. For example the Jews where not allowed to eat pork or touch blood or work on the Sabbath day, along with about 600+ rules. For them it was all about how holy they were by how much of the Law they kept. Paul is saying that it is by faith alone that we can be saved. Meaning that we can't add a thing to our salvation Christ paid the price in full and we have to trust in that for our salvation. What James is saying is that faith in Jesus Christ will make you want to do works for the Kingdom of God. James is saying that people who say that they have faith but don't share it or don't live their lives like Jesus wants them to are dead. I hope this makes since.

Answer 4

Easy Paul never said by faith alone, the Galatians scripture that this concept comes from in the entire context is a discourse from Paul about the Jews withdrawing from a table with the Gentiles. The Jewish culture had been based on tradition not faith, Paul says Christianity yes is based on faith BUT he never says fatith ALONE.

In fact Paul made many argument supporting Tradition:
Second letter to Timothy 1:13-14
Second Letter to the Thessalonians 2:15
Acts 15
Acts 17:10-11
1Timothy 4:11
2 Peter 3:15-16 (speaking of Paul saying As our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand, that the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.)


Sorry about the small blocks of scripture.

Also to justify their position they removed books from the bible. Martin Luther lobbied for the removal of James from the bible as well as the deuterocanonical book and it was up for debate for removal from the King James Version in 1611.

The sola fide concept cannot be reconciled even with the sola scriptura concept since scripture supports Tradition and never says fatih ALONE.

Answer 5

We are saved through faith alone yes. But what good is it if we say give food to the hungry and clothes to the naked and house the homeless and then turn away those who come to you for help. Matthew 25:35. During the great judgment there are two books that will be opened one to see who gets into heaven and another that holds all of the works of those who are saved. We will then have to give an account for what we have done. Christ too advocated good works, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16. So faith is what saves us and the natural result of faith is good works.

And I don't think that there was a rivalry between the two of them.

In Jesus Name

Answer 6

Is it possible that James gospel was for the Jews and Paul's was to the Gentiles? There certainly seems to be some difference in their theology and it can't be explained away by just saying they meant the same thing, but in different context. The Jews couldn't give up the Jewish law overnight and this is the reason the Jewish nation as a whole didn't accept Him.

Answer 7

First of all one could do works, and not even believe in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, in which case you will not have salvation, nor a relationship with God.

Secondly, if you do believe in Christ and accept him as your Lord and Saviour, then there will be changes in your life for the better. You can not be born again of the Spirit and remain absolutely the same. There will be good works taking place in your life that were not there before.

Hope this shows how the two scriptures are not really talking about the same thing.

Answer 8

Okay, without cut and paste assistance...I don't see them as being contradictory at all. I have been baptist all my life, and have seen many people looking for "fire insurance" by getting their name on a church role. In that case, their "faith" is empty. They behave one way on Saturday night, and another way on Sunday morning, if their hang-over lets them make it to church!.. James' statement just reinforces the fact that my faith must show evidence of a changed life. I need to show spiritual growth and maturity. I mus bear "fruit" as the bible terms it.
Look at it this way. I can TELL my wife every day that i love her, but if I never SHOW that love, my words are empty.
I hope this approaches being an acceptable answer. I'm no theologian, but what I've described is my understanding of it.

Answer 9

Besides making us loving and merciful, faith produces other fine works. Of course, professed faith that lacks works is not going to save us. True, we cannot earn a righteous standing with God by works of the Law. (Romans 4:2-5) James is talking about works motivated, not by a law code, but by faith and love. If we are moved by such qualities, we will not merely express kind wishes for a needy fellow worshiper. We will give material aid to an unclad or hungry brother or sister. James asks: ‘If you tell a needy brother: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed” but do not provide the necessities, of what benefit is that?’ None. Such “faith” is lifeless!

Answer 10

I believe you have to have works also.. I mean if you where truly saved and truly believe in God wouldn't you want to do works? I believe thats what Jesus was referring to when he said not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter heaven, because sure we can say 'I'm Saved!" but works shows it to the rest of the world, sorta like actions speak louder than words. Hope that helps a little bit.

God Bless

Edit:
God never said he created Adam and Eve at the same time... He said he cerated Adam, then after Adam he made Eve. I never seem where it said he created them at the same time?

Funny how people use age old contradictions that have been shown wrong many many times.

Answer 11

James 2:14 What doth it earnings, my brethren, nonetheless a guy say he hath faith, and function no longer works? can faith shop him? 15 If a brother or sister be bare, and destitute of each and on a daily basis nutrition, sixteen And considered one of you're saying unto them, go away in peace, be ye warmed and filled; although ye provide them no longer those issues that are requisite to the physique; what doth it earnings? 17 nevertheless faith, if it hath no longer works, is lifeless, being on my own. 18 Yea, a guy could say, Thou hast faith, and that i've got works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and that i will shew thee my faith via my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest nicely: the devils even have faith, and tremble. it may help in case you used the bible and not a perversion of it. the two statements do no longer contradict one yet another. James isn't contradicting Paul. he's no longer asserting which you're stored via faith and works. he's asserting that in case you have works then it shows which you have the religion which on my own can shop you. this is a controversy of perspective. while you at the instant are not quite born returned then you definitely see loop holes interior the doctrine of salvation and stay in an unrepentant state. while you're born returned you comprehend that the affection of God is manifested on your life via solid works.