James taught "Faith and Works" are needed for salvation...?

Question

James 2:24 says

"We see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

Does this mean that faith and works is what is needed for salvation?

sirnewton, oh, I knew it wasn't work alone.

I mean, if we did works JUST did get into heaven and our hearts were not in it for the right reasons...we wouldn't be in a good world.

Answer 1

We are saved by grace through faith.
Works are both evidences and reinforcements of that faith.

NOTE: we are not saved by works alone, of course.

Answer 2

you may have misinterpreted James..
This is what that verse means:

a man who has already accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is transformed into a new creature. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In chapter 2 of James, James rebukes some Christians who profess to have faith (which means they are saved) yet their works contradict ther profession. He's trying to tell them that, "Hey, I thought you're already saved? How come you act as an unbeliever? If you're truly saved, then you must leave your old sinfulness and strive to be holy and more like the Lord." The Christians in James chapter 2 seem to have forgotten this. They think that after salvation, that's the end of it. I'm saved now, so what?--this is a wrong notion.

If a person has truly accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, then it follows that he must do good works. Let me cite an example: Let's say you got sick, and you took medicine. Afterwards, you say that you're already feeling okay. If you have really been cured of your sickness, then naturally, you must be able to do the things you ought to do. 'Cause you feel better now!

This verse speaks more to the Christian than to the unbeliever. Remember Ephesian 2: 8, 9: "For by grace are ye saved through FAITH and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God. NOT OF WORKS lest any man should boast."

I hope I was able to help you. If you need anything else, you could simply ask me. I'll be very happy to help.

Answer 3

James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life – then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).

Answer 4

Paul is telling you how to become a Christian and be saved. James is talking about the different issue than salvation. James tell that what use we have from our faith if we do not do good.

It is like a marriage, you are still married even if you do not do things that married people do. But you have more meaningful marriage if you love one another, spend time together and assure each other that you would be willing to marry one another all over again. Show it with your deeds.

Answer 5

The word justified does not mean salvation. Faith is what is needed for salvation (read anything that Paul wrote). What James is pointing out is that the Christian lifestyle requires that one does good works. Good works simply show to the world what your faith is. Hope this helps clarify.

Answer 6

You need to read the whole chapter. James is obviously a converted Christian by the risen Lord. (Meaning that he was born again) (he was all ready saved) if you know what means. He was obviously talking to the 12 tribes, who were all ready saved. Verse 24 is talking about the faith of Abraham, and the how the works of the offering of Isaac is due to his faith.

Answer 7

OK, one more time. You are saved(your sins forgiven) only on the basis of the complete work of Christ.
1.Virgin birth.
2.Sinless life.
3.Sacrificial death.
4.Resurrection.
5.Ascension into Heaven.
Notice there's nothing about man's works in that list? AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, your Christian faith is expressed in what you do. It's important as you study the Scripture to think contextually, not just in single verses.

Answer 8

James was a Legalist. If you want to be a Legalist, then agree with the guy. Otherwise, Paul was saying something completely different. Paul said that there was salvation by faith alone. And if anyone preached another Gospel let him be accursed.

James didn't understand the workings of the Holy Spirit which comes by trusting God. James did not understand that the Holy Spirit works in a truster of God. Not by the works of the Law, but by faith.

James was a screwed up dude! And I can prove it.

Answer 9

The Bible says that the gift of eternal life is giving by the grace of God, for those who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, shedding his blood for the redemption of our sins, and then having risen after 3 days. Nothing is needed for you to be saved other than your belief. But, if you truly do believe this, and you have been saved, faith and works walk hand in hand with each other, worn like an outer garment for all to see. You can't truly have one without the other.

Answer 10

You need to remember that no matter how hard you work to a company if your name is not included in that company, you will never get paid.

So, you are not justified.

True works need true faith. So faith must come before works.
And true faith will bear fruit, that is true works.

So basically, you need first true faith.

The verse in James is talking about real CHRISTIAN WORKS, a justifiable works to God. And it is not salvation.

Answer 11

I think James' point throughout the entire epistle is that works are a sign of a true and living faith. If you aren't doing works, then you are not really a Christian. Period.

All squares are rectangles, but all rectangles aren't squres.
All who are truly Christians do works, but all who do good works are not necessarily truly Christian.