WHAT DO WORKS HAVE TO DO WITH IT? WITH WHAT YOU ASK?
In the Book of James in the New Testament of the Bible, James clears things up as to what is required for salvation from a person’s sins. There are a few different views from the religious community on this topic, but only one Truth. Is salvation by:
- Faith alone?
- Works alone?
- Faith plus works?
In Ephesians 2:8-10, it is pretty clear what is required. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:28:
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” James says in James 2:24: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
Now, is James contradicting Paul? NO, he’s not. Paul is emphasizing the root of salvation and James is emphasizing the fruit of salvation, which is good works. What Paul means by justified is what God does at salvation when He confirms the believing sinner to be righteous through faith in Jesus, even though, the new believer is still a sinner in this life.
What James means by justified is that our faith is proven by our works. He’s saying that true faith that causes salvation, will always produce good works (spiritual fruit) in your life. If your faith does not cause your life to change, there is no evidence that you are saved from your sins and you are still headed for hell when you die. You have a dead faith! James is warning us that faith without works is dead!
James 2:18-19 says that Satan and his demons have faith in God’s existence. They also believe that Jesus is God and believe in a hell which means eternal punishment and they shudder. They have a true knowledge of God. However, they are still demons!
Humans can have an impressive knowledge of God’s Word, the Bible, but are no better than the demons. Knowledge of the Bible does not save you.
James asks us – If we are truly saved from our sins, then why doesn’t our life show it? Is your faith from the heart of you or only something in your mind? If it is from the heart, you will have a desire to serve God with your life. If it’s not from your heart, you won’t have that desire and will live your life for yourself. You may even go to church every week because that’s what you are supposed to do. If your faith is from the heart, go to prayer and ask God how He wants you to serve Him. The Bible does give examples of how to serve and please Him. Such as:
— obedience to God’s Word. Read God’s Word to discover God’s ways.
— take action to help people who need help. James 2:14-18 says: 14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Our true salvation-faith does not include works. Works are a result of true, alive faith.
Is there evidence of your faith being alive? Your life should SHOW that it is, from the heart of you.
Sharon