Chapter
Ten
James on "Faith" and "Works"
James is the Bible writer that ties faith and works together. His presentations
have caused some consternation among those who see works as counter to grace.
Yet there is no conflict, only perfect harmony once properly understood. It
is clear from Paul's treatment of grace that works were not relevant in God's
election and selection. This matter is rather clear and most Christian writers
would agree with this assessment. However, one must understand another matter
that troubled the early church-Gentiles were being confronted with keeping the
Jewish law. Works of the law, the keeping of Sabbaths, dietary restrictions,
the feasts, the cleansing rituals, circumcision, etc., were permissible to the
Jewish Christians who still wished to keep them. They had the freedom to do
so. But trouble arose when these rituals were being enjoined on Gentile converts
to Christianity.
"There rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying,
That it was needful to circumcise them [Gentile Christians], and to command
them to keep the Law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). The occasion for these words was
the conference at the Church in Jerusalem. Some were saying Gentile Christians
had to keep certain features of the Jewish law, and others were saying, not
so. Meanwhile, the controversy caused whiplash to those who were being yanked
from one direction to another. The Jerusalem Conference was called by the Apostles
to settle this controversy in clear, understandable terms for everyone. The
conference ended with this clarion message to all the churches: "That ye abstain
from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and
from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well" (Acts
15:29).
Before the Law of Moses, God forbade partaking of blood and strangled meat improperly
bled. In Gen. 9:4 God told Noah and the flood survivors, "But flesh with the
life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." This was enjoined
on the entire world after the flood and still stands today, even though few
concern themselves with this commandment. In our modern world all meat sold
meets these requirements. However, the Apostles enjoined this law on all Christians,
and it still applies.
Keeping from "fornication" is a moral requirement also enjoined on Christians.
The only compromise made was in "not eating meat offered to idols." This command
was given so as not to offend the conscience of any who might witness this.
No compromise was made with the Jewish Law Covenant. "Destroy not him with thy
meat, for whom Christ died" (Rom. 14:15). Eating meat sold in the market place
which had been offered to idols would not harm the individual in itself. However,
if it offended another, it would be wrong to do. Paul clarifies the matter saying:
"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice
unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is
none other God but one. … Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will
eat no flesh" (1 Cor. 8:4, 13).
The Jewish law was not enjoined upon Gentile Christians at this conference.
Officially the matter was settled; however, tradition and habit die hard. A
strong element within the Jewish Christian Church continued to teach that Gentile
Christians should keep certain features of the law. Consequently, the New Testament
writers had to speak out against the works of the law. In our day, some commentators
see Scriptures that show the futility of works of the law, but failing to see
the difference between works of the Jewish Law and works in general, they conclude
that all works are futile. Such is not the case. Never do the scriptures demean
works of the Spirit in the hearts of God's people. They are necessary "fruit
of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-25). The issue before the early church was whether
justification was brought about by faith in Christ's sacrifice or works of the
Law. Paul says, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law..." (Gal. 5:4).
The free grace movement has taken all the arguments used against works of the
law to deny all works. This is a serious mistake. For instance, the Bible says,
"For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23). This whole chapter deals
with Christians who were bound by Jewish features of the law. Paul says in Romans
14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." Christians need not follow dietary restrictions
of the law. However, if their conscience condemns them for not keeping certain
features of the law, they should honor their conscience. If they keep the dietary
Jewish law out of lack of faith in Christ's atonement sacrifice, it would be
"sin."
To argue that all works are sin misses the point. God's grace has been given
to enable us to put on the "Lord Jesus Christ." We need all the "fruit of the
Spirit" which is the work of an entire Christian lifetime. Anyone who has watched
an orchard knows that you first have a blossom, then an immature fruit, and
finally the fruit matures into a luscious treat. All of this takes time.
"Was Not Abraham, Our Father, Justified by Works?"
James 2:21, 22 reads, "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?" Words are easy to generate.
The world is full of wonderful words and beautiful sentiments; but if the world
were filled with wonderful deeds and beautiful actions, it would be a sweeter
place to live. Words are not dependable. Lawyers only accept legally signed
contracts. A verbal agreement will not do. Courts are filled with cases of broken
contracts. Words are hard to keep without character. Character enables promises
and agreements to be kept.
Abraham believed God. How do we know this? Works demonstrated his faith and
belief. God put Abraham to the test, asking him to do the hardest thing a man
could be asked to do-to offer his son in sacrifice. God asked Abraham to act
out what God himself was going to do. Abraham played God's role flawlessly.
Abraham demonstrated by his works his faith and love for God. That is why Abraham
is called "the Friend of God" (Jas. 2:23). James then says, "Ye see then how
that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24).
James is showing that the measure of faith and love that a man has for God will
not be determined by words alone. Words need to be backed by deeds of love and
faith. The free grace movement almost implies that one may promise God anything
without delivering it, and it is all right with God. That would be like saying
that God embodies love so no one needs good character.
James says, "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" (Jas. 2:25, 26). Rahab
jeopardized her life and family to save the lives of the Jewish spies. Her works
demonstrated her faith. If "faith without works is dead," so it must be that
living faith will be demonstrated by works-the things we do, the company we
keep, the thoughts we think, the love we bestow, etc. Paul defined love by works-qualities
of love (1 Cor. 13:4-8). To argue against Christian works is to argue against
love and the graces of the Spirit. James correctly says, "Faith without works
is dead."
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