Through the Bible in 2021
Bible Readings: Daniel 7-8, James 2, Psalm 132:1–5, Proverbs 28:27–28
Daily Devotional: Faith that Works
Many have seen a conflict between Paul's consistent teaching on salvation by faith alone and the assertion of James in James 2:17 that faith without works is dead. James says in verse 21 that Abraham was justified by works when Paul maintained that Abraham was justified by faith, apart from works. So, did James stand in opposition to the teachings of Paul? Is this a contradiction between two passages of Scripture?
No, it is not. It is a matter of perspective. Almost every biblical truth has to be held in balance and in tension with another biblical truth - the Trinity combines God's Oneness with his existence in three distinct persons, Jesus is both man and God, God's sovereignty and human responsibility. The whole Bible is full of "truths in tension."
Remember the old story of the blind men who all touched an elephant? One grabbed the tail, another the trunk, another a leg, another a tusk, and another simply placed his hand on the elephant's side. They were all touching the same elephant, but they gave very different descriptions of the creature.
Paul was holding on to the truth of salvation by the grace of God, through faith alone. No one is able, by the works of the Law to earn a place in heaven. But Paul did not denigrate good works, he just maintained their proper place. After saying that we are saved "by grace through faith" in Ephesians 2:8-9, he says that we were "created in Christ Jesus to do good works." We are saved by grace to do good works.
That is exactly what James is saying here. He is not maintaining that anyone can perfectly keep the law and earn a place in glory. He is emphasizing that true faith produces good works. His thought is clear in verse 18.
Salvation by faith does not excuse us from living for Christ, from doing good works; no, it empowers us to live lives that glorify God, that are pure and holy, that serve others in Christ's name.
No, it is not. It is a matter of perspective. Almost every biblical truth has to be held in balance and in tension with another biblical truth - the Trinity combines God's Oneness with his existence in three distinct persons, Jesus is both man and God, God's sovereignty and human responsibility. The whole Bible is full of "truths in tension."
Remember the old story of the blind men who all touched an elephant? One grabbed the tail, another the trunk, another a leg, another a tusk, and another simply placed his hand on the elephant's side. They were all touching the same elephant, but they gave very different descriptions of the creature.
Paul was holding on to the truth of salvation by the grace of God, through faith alone. No one is able, by the works of the Law to earn a place in heaven. But Paul did not denigrate good works, he just maintained their proper place. After saying that we are saved "by grace through faith" in Ephesians 2:8-9, he says that we were "created in Christ Jesus to do good works." We are saved by grace to do good works.
That is exactly what James is saying here. He is not maintaining that anyone can perfectly keep the law and earn a place in glory. He is emphasizing that true faith produces good works. His thought is clear in verse 18.
Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.Faith, real faith, faith that is a gift from God and saves us, also produces in us a radical life change that is reflected in the way we live. Someone who professes faith in Christ but is not changed by Christ has every reason to doubt the genuineness of his or her conversion. Faith that does not produce new works is dead.
Salvation by faith does not excuse us from living for Christ, from doing good works; no, it empowers us to live lives that glorify God, that are pure and holy, that serve others in Christ's name.
Father, may my life reflect the kind of works that are appropriate for one who has been saved by Christ.
Consider God's Word:
Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
Someone once asked, "If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
Does your life give daily evidence of the work of Christ in you?
Does your life give daily evidence of the work of Christ in you?
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