Faith without works explained

[fhansen]

Grace and peace to you, Dear Brother. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful, Scripture‑grounded explanation.
Let's dig into these truths together encouraging, strengthening, and clarifying.

First, you’re absolutely right: Abraham was declared righteous by faith in Genesis 15:6 long before Isaac’s birth. James quotes that in 2:23: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”. That initial righteousness was by faith alone.

Yet when Abraham obeyed God’s command in Genesis 22 to offer Isaac, James says “Abraham was justified by works” (2:21), and the obedience fulfilled the scripture: his faith was perfected by his works (2:22), making him “the friend of God” (2:23). In other words, Abraham’s earlier justification by faith is affirmed; then his later act of obedience displays that living, active faith in work.

Many commentators note that Paul and James are not in conflict, but showing different dimensions of the same truth: Romans emphasizes justification by faith (e.g. Romans 4:3), while James emphasizes that genuine faith inevitably produces works as evidence (Romans 4 referenced in Romans 8 context).

Here’s how I’d present it:

1. Faith Alone Saves Yet Not by Faith That Is Alone
   • “Saved by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8‑9) but faith that saves is never in isolation. Works follow as the fruit of true faith (Ephesians 2:10, James 2:14‑26).
2. Abraham’s Life as a Portrait
   • Declared righteous by faith in Genesis 15:6.
   • Confirmed by works in Genesis 22. James acknowledges both moments: justification by faith and justification by works. And thus faith and works “work together” (James 2:22).
3. Living Faith Will Bear Fruit
   • James contrasts dead faith (no obedience) with living faith (obedience). A body without spirit is dead likewise faith without works is dead (James 2:26). It doesn't earn salvation but it demonstrates it.
4. Sanctification: A Life Led by the Spirit
   • Your reference to walking in the Spirit (Romans 8:13‑14) rightly emphasizes that life after salvation is a Spirit‑empowered journey, with obedience as its path. Living faith is sustained obedience not perfection, but perseverance.

So yes, your assertion that Abraham was declared righteous decades before, yet his later act of obedience manifested and perfected his faith is biblically sound and encouraging. Your quotation of James 2:21‑23 aligns perfectly: faith credited earlier, works confirming it later.

Gently encouraging next steps for readers:

• Reflect on your own journey are there moments when God’s promises challenged you to obey, and you saw faith borne out?
• Understand that salvation is by grace through faith but spiritual maturity grows through faithful obedience.
• Obedience is not about earning salvation it’s proof that faith is alive and real.

Let these truths fuel your worship. Walk in the Spirit, demonstrate your faith through love and good deeds (James 2:17‑18), and rest in Christ’s finished work. May your faith, like Abraham’s, shine brightly promised, proven, and perfected.

Blessings and grace in Christ.

Well put, Pastor. I’d only suggest that obedience is the ultimate goal, countering man’s disobedience through Adam, an obedience now finally realized by love, the only authentic means of fulfilling the law. It’s all related to our nearness to God. That said, salvation and obedience are inseparable, as faith and works are inseparable.

 

[AbbaLove]

"but I guarantee it won't be resolved with the pretend "holy guy scenario" - ​

(fh)​

So then he doesn't believe it's possible to live a holy life as a [pretend] born again Believer?

"Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.​

For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness."[/indent]​

​

Tustworthy, faithful Christians are called to reflect God's holiness in their conduct. This means living in a way that honors God and distinguishes them from worldliness. Holiness is not merely moral purity but being set apart for God's purposes. It involves aligning their lives with God's Character and Will.​

​

Perhaps he (fh) believes it's impossible for holiness to permeate every aspect of a [so-called] born again beleiver including their thoughts, attitudes, actions and relationships without intentional reliance on the indwelling abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.​

​

And so the following spiritual logic is unaattainable to those unable to grasp the Words of Jesus when He says ...​

"Go and sin no more" and "Stop your sinning or something worse may happen to you"​

were not these Words of Jesus just as applicable during the OT as in the NT?​

​

For the OT scriptures say, “You must be holy because I Am holy.”​

​

 

[fhansen]

So then he doesn't believe it's possible to live a holy life as a [pretend] born again Believer?

No, I'm obviously saying that a vicarious, strictly declared righteousness is not enough to make a person a holy guy. To be justified means to made just, to be forgiven and given the "gift of righteousness" as Scripture puts it, directly related to grace and the Holy Spirit and love as we're given new hearts and new spirits. Otherwise there would be no change, no reason for or possibility of the person being more holy and living accordingly-if they are only forgiven but not also "improved", so to speak, and to put it another way.

 

[Dan Perez]

"but I guarantee it won't be resolved with the pretend "holy guy scenario" - ​

(fh)​

So then he doesn't believe it's possible to live a holy life as a [pretend] born again Believer?

"Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.​

For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness."[/indent]​

​

Tustworthy, faithful Christians are called to reflect God's holiness in their conduct. This means living in a way that honors God and distinguishes them from worldliness. Holiness is not merely moral purity but being set apart for God's purposes. It involves aligning their lives with God's Character and Will.​

​

Perhaps he (fh) believes it's impossible for holiness to permeate every aspect of a [so-called] born again beleiver including their thoughts, attitudes, actions and relationships without intentional reliance on the indwelling abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.​

​

And so the following spiritual logic is unaattainable to those unable to grasp the Words of Jesus when He says ...​

"Go and sin no more" and "Stop your sinning or something worse may happen to you"​

were not these Words of Jesus just as applicable during the OT as in the NT?​

​

For the OT scriptures say, “You must be holy because I Am holy.”​

​

And they cannot what ( so-called ) Born. Again Is. in. John 3:3. he cannot see the kingdom of God !!

Then. in. verse 5 Except a man. be BORN. of Water. and of THE SPIRIT (. How do they get the Spirit ). of course the

answer is in. Acts 2:38 , BUT they rejected the Holy. Spirit and KILLED there Messiah !!

And Israel was set aside in Acts 28:25-28 !!

dan p

 

[fhansen]

As I stated in another post:

Part of the difference here is that some of us believe that it’s all a done deal, that a believer becomes permanently saved all at once, that his will plays no part in that work of God’s. But God beckons and calls us; He informs and prompts and stirs and moves us to come to Him, and continues to do so in order that we will remain with Him. That’s all part of His bringing us into the Life he has for us-the life He’s always wanted man to have. But He never forces Himself upon us-He's not a puppetmaster-that's not what He wants for and from us. And to the extent that we remain near to Him, we will become more and more like Him. And that’s really the whole point. If we aren’t becoming more and more like Him, then we aren’t truly near to Him. And nearness to God is salvation.

 

[AbbaLove]

"It is love alone that gives worth to all things." St. Teresa of Ávil

She is believed by some faithdul members of Roman Catholic doctrine to be a patron saint for releaving headaches and migraines. Hopefully she is of some help to faithful RC believers.

Part of the difference here is that some of us believe that it’s all a done deal, that a believer becomes permanently saved all at once,

More than a few RC priests and faithful RC parents believe that when their infant is sprinkled with holy water the infant/child is saved or born again. However, the length of time a saved (born again) RC adult may have to spend in purgatory depends on their sins ...

In Roman Catholic doctrine it's a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven.​

 

[Dan Perez]

As I stated in another post:

Part of the difference here is that some of us believe that it’s all a done deal, that a believer becomes permanently saved all at once, that his will plays no part in that work of God’s. But God beckons and calls us; He informs and prompts and stirs and moves us to come to Him, and continues to do so in order that we will remain with Him. That’s all part of His bringing us into the Life he has for us-the life He’s always wanted man to have. But He never forces Himself upon us-He's not a puppetmaster-that's not what He wants for and from us. And to the extent that we remain near to Him, we will become more and more like Him. And that’s really the whole point. If we aren’t becoming more and more like Him, then we aren’t truly near to Him. And nearness to God is salvation.

And it seem that we are on the same page as in Gal 3:28 that we ARE //. ESTE ,One in Christ as the WORD ARE // ESTE is

in the Greek Present Tense , and means we are ALWAYS SAVED , OSAS. !!

dan p

 

[fhansen]

And it seem that we are on the same page as in Gal 3:28 that we ARE //. ESTE ,One in Christ as the WORD ARE // ESTE is

in the Greek Present Tense , and means we are ALWAYS SAVED , OSAS. !!

dan p

Yes..."are" means are. If you wish to woodenly interpret the author's intention as meaning ALWAYS SAVED that's up to you. Years ago there was an advertsing jingle that started out, "We are the world". It was as much an exhortation to be part of the world as it was a general statement of truth- whether one necessarily identified with that truth was another matter. As it is, Paul is encouraging, exhorting and warning the Galatians in his letter to them-and it's reasonably doubtful that every single member of that audience who first heard and applied it to themselves necessarily ended up saved anyway, But interpret it in whatever manner you wish even if that excludes the understanding of the ancient churches and ECFs, etc.

 

[Valletta]

She is believed by some faithdul members of Roman Catholic doctrine to be a patron saint for releaving headaches and migraines. Hopefully she is of some help to faithful RC believers.

More than a few RC priests and faithful RC parents believe that when their infant is sprinkled with holy water the infant/child is saved or born again. However, the length of time a saved (born again) RC adult may have to spend in purgatory depends on their sins ...

In Roman Catholic doctrine it's a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven.​

Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1263 By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.65 In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God.

1264 Yet certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death, and such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character, and so on, as well as an inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence, or metaphorically, "the tinder for sin" (fomes peccati); since concupiscence "is left for us to wrestle with, it cannot harm those who do not consent but manfully resist it by the grace of Jesus Christ."66 Indeed, "an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."67

"A new creature"

1265 Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature,"68 member of Christ and coheir with him,69 and a temple of the Holy Spirit.70

1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification: - enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues; - giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit; - allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues. Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.

Part Two Section Two The Seven Sacrements Of The Church Chapter One The Sacraments Of Christian Initiation Article 1 The Sacrament Of Baptism VII. The Grace Of Baptism

www.vatican.va