faith or works?

[Rita G.]

James says justified by works. Ja 2:24; Paul says by fath. Gal 2:16.
which is it?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Trick question

Galatians 5:6

Faith working through love

James 2:14-17
1 John 3:16-18

Faith in the Bible is never saving faith if it isn't evidenced by our works. The works don't save you without the backing of faith. Faith doesn't save you without the fruit of works. They work hand in hand together.

Read Hebrews 11 and get a good feel for that truth.

John 3:36
Whoever believes has life, BUT whoever disobeys does not have life but God's wrath abides on him.

 

[RC1970]

James says justified by works. Ja 2:24; Paul says by fath. Gal 2:16.
which is it?

Paul is saying "we" are justified in God's sight by faith.
James is saying our "faith" is justified in man's sight by our works.

 

[Rita G.]

James is saying our "faith" is justified in man's sight by our works

where does it say that?

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

forks
(faith and works)

 

[Rita G.]

you mean 'farks'? LOL

 

[ByTheSpirit]

James is saying our "faith" is justified in man's sight by our works.

What Bible did you get this from?

 

[Humble me Lord]

I believe this is the key, what James is saying, I believe is that if a person is truly justified by faith, they will have good works in their life. So if a person claims to be a believer, and has no good works, then they probably do not have genuine faith in Christ. Consider James 2:14 , 17, 20, and 26.
I think they were both describing the same expectations of a changed life from different perspectives.

 

[Rita G.]

I'm asking about justification itself. faith or works?

 

[Acts2:38]

James says justified by works. Ja 2:24; Paul says by fath. Gal 2:16.
which is it?

Faith/belief is a verb. It is an action word. If you believe, you will do as our Lord commands right?

John 14:15; John 15:14

John 3:16, cross reference Ephesians 2:8-9. We can't do works to earn our way into heaven. It was a free gift.

However, John 3:16 shows it is a conditional statement. While you can't earn your way to heaven, you must obey the gospel/Gods word for your salvation (John 14:15; 15:14)

To give an example:

A friend calls you on the phone and says "Hey I have a free gift here at my house. Just come by and get it".

Did you earn that gift? No. It is free.

Is that gift just going to spontaneously arrive in your lap? No.

Do you have to GO and pick it up? Yes.

This is the conditional I am referring to. His gift is free but we have to "go" pick it up, or in salvation terms, obey His word to receive that gift. There in lies what James 2:14 and following is talking about.

Belief is a work John 6:29. Being baptized is a work. Spreading the gospel is a work. Caring for the orphans and widows is a work. It all falls under that "faith/belief" being an action word.

No one says "I believe I can get to work" and they just sit there on the couch do they? They have to actually go and drive their car to get to work. Action.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I'm asking about justification itself. faith or works?

Go back and read my post #2

Faith in scriptures means more than what modern vocabulary would have you believe.

John 3:36 describes what faith is.

It is a scripture of contrast.

Belief/obedience = life
Unbelief/Disobedience = death

 

[bekkilyn]

I'm asking about justification itself. faith or works?

If our justification depended on works, who would be justified?

 

[Uber Genius]

Ah...the old false dichotomy ploy!

We are justified by faith as the scriptures say.

Then we discover that we have been created for good works. And through the power of the HS we walk in those good works.

Our new identity comes by faith. But the point is we are recreated to do good. James is not saying we are justified by good works (pelagian heresy). He I saying why aren't you operating the way you were designed to operate? You have been recreated to operate in good works. Now go do those works.

Justification - achieved through faith
Good works - achieved through walking in the power of the HS (Gal. 5 22,23)

Don't confuse the two or you won't achieve either! See Galatians 3 and avoid being "bewitched" or becoming a "fool."

 

[Albion]

James says justified by works. Ja 2:24; Paul says by fath. Gal 2:16.
which is it?

It's Faith. James is simply saying that claiming to have Faith doesn't do anything; it's only a real Faith, the kind that changes lives, that saves.

 

[Rita G.]

The text in James clearly says “justified” by works.
Paul says we’re “justified” by faith.
Is this a contradiction?

 

[RC1970]

The text in James clearly says “justified” by works.
Paul says we’re “justified” by faith.
Is this a contradiction?

No, it's not a contradiction. The subject of the word "justify" is different in each case. It is difficult to understand what James is saying and it requires a careful examination.

Try this link: faith-and-works-paul-vs.-james

 

[Rita G.]

No, it's not a contradiction. The subject of the word "justify" is different in each case. It is difficult to understand what James is saying and it requires a careful examination.

James says works.
Paul says faith.
contradiction.

 

[Albion]

James says works.
Paul says faith.
contradiction.

If you take a single word or even several words out of context, it's likely that you will think that the two Apostles are in disagreement with each other.

 

[RC1970]

James says works.
Paul says faith.
contradiction.

I thought the link I provided gave a good explanation, but it looks like you have already made up your mind.

 

[Rita G.]

If you take a single word or even several words out of context, it's likely that you will think that the two Apostles are in disagreement with each other.

they did have their disputes didn't they? read Acts