Works of Faith vs. Works of the Law
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26 (KJV)
James is telling us that being right with God involves faith PLUS works. Faith in Christ will be displayed in our works. Even being saved and accepting Jesus as your Lord and savior involves the action of speaking your belief in Christ out loud. That an example of the pairing of faith and works. True faith will produce works, or corresponding actions. These actions will often meet the needs of others, as James points out. If we say we are saved and do no good works for the benefit of other people, are we really saved? The born-again man will produce fruit that lines up with his salvation- works of love and caring.
On the other hand, Paul spoke of works of the law in Romans and Galatians, showing how futile they are. Works done out of obligation or because they are mandated, mean nothing.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
These verses refer to works of the law, through which no man can be made righteous. Works alone cannot save us. We must put our faith in Christ and His finished works. Salvation itself is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). We just have to act on what He has done by receiving the gift He paid for.
These are the three main points I want to make about works:
Jesus Christ finished the works needed for salvation.
Our part is a work of faith- believing in Jesus to save us and receiving what He did.
Works of the law could save no one. That’s why Jesus came to save us. The works we do should come from the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts at salvation.
Works alone will not save you, but salvation will produce works of love- which is what the finished work of Christ is based on. Both James and Paul were in agreement that works of faith are good, but works of the law produce nothing worthwhile. We are saved by grace through faith to do good works.
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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
