Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
18 “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ I say, ‘I can not see your faith if you do not have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.’ 19 Do you still think it is enough just to believe that there is one GOD? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! 20 Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?” ~ James 2:18-20
At first glance, this verse seems to contradict Romans 3:28, “We are made right with GOD through faith and not by obeying the law.” But, deeper investigation shows that the teachings of James and Paul were not at odds. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul speaks against those who try to be saved by deeds instead of true faith; James speaks against those who confuse mere intellectual assent with true faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is, but they do not obey him (2:19). True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to GOD.
21 “Do you not remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with GOD because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the alter? 22 You see, he was trusting GOD so much that he was willing to do whatever GOD told him to do. His faith was made complete by what he did – by his actions. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: ‘Abraham believed GOD, so GOD declared him to be righteous.’ He was even called ‘the friend of GOD’. 24 So you see, we are made right with GOD by what we do, not by faith alone.” – James 2:21-24 – James says that Abraham was “declared right with GOD” for what he did because he believed GOD. – 1 Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? 2 Was it because of his good deeds that GOD accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from GOD’s point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed GOD, so GOD declared him to be righteous.’ 4 When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. 5 But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” – Romans 4:1-5 – James and Paul are not contradicting but complementing each other. Let us not conclude that the truth is a blending of these two statements. We are not justified by what we do in any way. True faith always results in good deeds, but the deeds do not justify us. Faith brings us salvation; active obedience demonstrates that our faith is genuine.
“Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds.” – James 2:26
Father help us to not only be hearers of YOUR Word, but doers. We pray, LORD for YOUR guidance, YOUR wisdom and discernment, and a quickening of our spirit so that we may hear YOUR voice and obey. We know and understand that faith brings salvation but active obedience demonstrates that our faith is genuine.
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
