Faith and Works in the Book of James

This is a paper I wrote for a class at Lincoln Christian College. It speaks to the issue at the heart of this discussion topic- faith and good works.

The word faith in James 2:14-26 is the same Greek word (pistis) that is used throughout most of the New Testament to mean saving faith. This faith goes beyond mere intellectual assent or trust for temporal needs to a relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our lives. It is clarified in verse 14 by the word "claims". This person clearly is a professor of salvation but does not possess the fruit that will grow from such a relationship.

The word translated works (ergon) is translated as deeds in the NIV translation. These are clearly acts of charity and obedience and are summed up in Mark 12:29-31. First, there is the proclamation that God is one. Then, based on that belief, is the command to love God and our neighbor as ourself. Obviously one without the other (belief without practice) would not be the complete gospel.

Verse 24 gives us the statement that a "person is justified by what he does amd not by faith alone". John Wesley wrote that faith is not a "bare assent to the truth of the Bible.. but it is, over and above this, a sure trust in the mercy of God". Some theologians have tried to avoid legalism and thus emphasized the starting place for the Christian walk (faith) without giving its corollary, namely, obedience. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that "only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes". One without the other leads to either legalism or antinomianism (faith without works). This is the message James is trying to convey.

James says that we are justified by works and not by faith alone. Could there not be a possibility that one can be justified by works after the initial conversion experience? Abraham had faith long before the offering of Isaac. The gospels and Pauline epistles clearly establish that faith alone is the requirement for salvation. However, this faith will result in our obedience and can save our very lives, as in the case of Rahab.

Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by faith alone, not by works. The initial faith is a gift from God. We can do nothing to please God in our sinful state. Romans 14:23 says "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin". Once we have been given the gift of faith, good works will follow naturally. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). D James Kennedy writes, "When you truly believe something to be true, you will invariably act according to it."

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