Why does James say, "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone"?

Question

If we are saved by faith alone, why does James 2:24 say that we do NOT restore a right relationship with God (i.e., justification) by faith alone?

James further says (2:17), "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." If faith inescapably implies the action of good works, why would James warn us against faith without works?

Answer 1

Because we are NOT saved by faith alone, Q.E.D.

This extrabiblical doctrine seems to be engrained in the thinking of every evangelical and fundamentalist Christian posting in R & S. It is not true, and it is contrary to virtually everything Jesus taught.

The second question destroys the gambit of saying those with faith always do good works. That is obviously not true from our daily experience, as well as from James's warning. Many will be like the goats in Matt 25:

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Once again a misinterpretation of the bible, by using new translations. The KJV reads (James 2:24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Justification is not salvation. It is the work of your salvation, thereby you prove you are saved, and have faith. (Philippians 2:12&13) urges us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. If you are not justified, you can lose your salvation. That is why we are told only those who endure to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). That is why faith is not enough, and why faith is not in and of itself the same as good works.

Answer 3

If you repent from sin, and ask for Jesus forgiveness, you are saved. The act of faith in Jesus saves you. If you die at that moment you will pass eternity with Jesus like the thief who repented on the cross at His side.

However, only a small minority dies just after accepting Jesus as their saviour. For the large majority of christians who God allowed to continue living down here, we have to apply what James is teaching here. If you accept Jesus, you MUST put that faith into action, you need to love God, love mankind, share Jesus' love with others, obey God, study the Bible, etc. You must act upon your faith. Jesus left a mission for us, He expects us to start working on that. If we choose to disobey Jesus after He saved us, is our faith still valid? No, James says that faith is dead, not longer valid.

Answer 4

And one verse further:
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
So even the sinning prostitute was pleasing to God when she lived by faith in God. Our faith is useful to God when it is evidenced by others. When it is alive, and being used for the glory of God.

Even Abraham had his faith counted as righteousness, even though the sacrifice wasn't completed.

Also read the rest of that chapter, and see that to be justified by works, you cant pick favourites, you must do them all, at every opportunity.

Answer 5

as quickly as lower back a misinterpretation of the bible, via employing new translations. The KJV reads (James 2:24) Ye see then how that via works a guy is justified, and not via faith purely. Justification isn't salvation. it fairly is the artwork of your salvation, thereby you coach you're saved, and characteristic faith. (Philippians 2:12&13) urges us to artwork out our salvation in concern and trembling. in case you at the instant are not justified, you could lose your salvation. for this reason we are advised purely people who undergo to the top would be saved. (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). for this reason faith isn't adequate, and why faith isn't in and of itself the comparable notably much as good works.

Answer 6

The old saying that "actions speak louder than words."

Christ spoke and pursued works of mercy to include raising Lazarus from the dead.

A Catholic

Ora et Labora

http://www.vatican.va

Answer 7

As he goes on to say, you show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith BY my works.

Works is the results of faith.

Faith without works is like a lightswitch without electricity behind it. It's dead.

Works without faith is legalism.

Works that is the results of your faith is true Christianity.

Works can't save you, but if you ARE saved, there will be good works flowing out from you as a result of your salvation.

I pray that helps.

Answer 8

It's the basic concept of "fruit."

If I tell you I'm your friend, but stab you in the back, then it's obvious that I am NOT your friend.

In the same way, if we say we have faith in God, but live as if He doesn't exist or isn't a just God, then we really DON'T believe.

We demonstrate to the world everyday what we believe by how we act and by what we say.

Hope this helps!

Tim

Answer 9

When a person is born again. That person will desire to do works. This is what James is talking about. If a person says they are saved/born again but does not exhibit it in their life by works, then they were mistaken or telling a lie about their salvation.
Works do not save-
Saved people do works.

You can not get this backwards

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)

If a person was justified by works then Eph. 2:8ff would not be in the Bible. James does not mean that works is a means to salvation, but it is the "result" of salvation.

Answer 10

A faith with is alone is a non-application oriented faith. It is a mere claim of faith. But the faith that saves is an application oriented faith.

As Martin Luther said, "Faith alone saves, but not a faith which is alone"