Q16. Works and Grace

[PHILIP_TAN]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James 2v20-26

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.

Ephesians 2v8-10

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.

Answer:

Yes, saved by GRACE through faith.(profession of faith)

But faith without works is dead.(evidence of faith)

Without works your faith is vain - James 2v20.

You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

[Tom Nabors]

How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Faith and works are not opposites. They are complementary. James point is not a contrast between faith and works but between a real faith, a faith that works, and a false faith, one that doesn't. Also, Paul's context is the relationship between the believer and God, while James's context is the relationship between the believer and his neighbor. God sees your faith; your neighbor sees and is touched by your works. Faith justifies us before God; works justify us before men.

[grace]

There is no contradiction between James and Paul as some would like to

think. We are truly saved by GRACE-an unmerited favour from God; a work

that only God could perform. If we add anything to it, then it is works and

not faith, and Christ would have died in vain.

A true work of salvation in a person's life will produce a christian who bears

fruit for the kingdom of God. James is simply saying, " If you really are a

christian , then there should be some EVIDENCE of it."

Remember we are no longer slaves to the law, but willing slaves of grace.

[Julie]

Paul's point is the ability to be saved without following the law, being saved by faith in the Lord then as they both agree works will naturally follow.

[happysheep]

The simplicity of salvation is beautiful-no work can get us saved. Just the gift of grace.

When there is faith to believe this and humility to accept the gift, there is freedom for faith to find expression in deeds of love towards others. So really, James

[Sassyblue8]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Both teachers taught works! James used grace and works as a teem. They go together. If you have faith, you will have works.

The key to Paul's works is God. Ephesians 2: 10. If we are saved by grace then we will have good works because God created us for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Good works should be natural to a believer.

[Candygoo58]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

If we are saved we will want to do good works. Doing good works shows others that we are saved. But works good works doesn't save us

There is nothing in ourselves that is good enough to earn salvation. Salvation is a free gift from God who sent his son to pay the price for us.

[TennLady01]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James and Paul both taught that you need faith and works and they both knew they go together and without one the other is dead. We need to put into action all the things we say God can do and will do. Our faith can't stand alone and they knew that so we need to read and learn to do what is right and keep doing it till the answer is with us and we have more faith to stand upon.

James point is not a contrast between faith and works but between a real faith, a faith that does works, and a false faith, one that doesn't do anything for anyone but self and those in family. Also, Paul's context is the relationship between the believer and God, while James's context is the relationship between the believer and his neighbor. James was teaching to love your neighbor and Paul teaching to love everyone. Both men are right and we can learn from them both if we just read and except the truth.

[Ann K]

James ' idea of 'works' are good, natural and acceptable by our love and faith in Christ. Paul accepted or believed that 'observing the works of the laws' are necessary to be saved, but 'good works' come from us because of our love and faith in Christ.v

[Zegeye]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Paul is not against the act of faith. Infact the passage with these words: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10) clearly states that he is for it. But he is against the heresy that one must perform certain Jewish rituals in order to be saved ("works of the law").

Thus I do not see any inconsistency in their teaching, ias is said it rather comes from from the way each is using the word "works." Paul is talking about "works of the law" while James is emphasizing on "good works to which Paul agreed in Ephesians 2:10.

[Richard S]

How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2-8-10)?

James faith without work's is dead, Paul's salvation thru faith should bring works.

Richard S.

[linda bass]

James points out that faith without action is useless.

Paul points out that good works should be a natural outflow of our faith.

In ephesians 2:8-9, Paul lets us know we are saved by grace thru faith.

In other words,there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is a free gift when we accept Christ's sacriface for our sins.

In ephesians 2:10, Paul points out that 'we are God's workmanship, created in Jesus Christ to do good works.' In other words, we are not saved by works, but saved in order to do good work.

It's funny how many Christians love to quote eph 2:8-9 about being saved by grace. They seem to forget or ignore ehp 2:10 which emphasizes the doing of good works as a show of our faith.

Both James and Paul would seem to agree that doing good works is the natural outcome of a living faith in Christ.

[utopia_in_extremis]

completely agree with the posts here

[cct1106]

Good faithful works bring salvation.

[georgejv]

Faith is the cornerstone - gves potential, power. However will be stagnant without works. Both go together.

[Kim E.]

Paul

[glory]

PAUL SAYS WE'RE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH AND NOT OUR OWN WORKS WHILE JAMES SAYS FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.CLEARLY TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKS.ACCORDING TO PAUL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF GOOD WORKS I DO, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE OR UNMERITED FAVOR THAT I WAS SAVED.SO MY SALVATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME BEING A GOOD PERSON WHO DID GOOD WORKS AND LOOKED GOOD ON THE SURFACE. IT WAS THE DIVINE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN MY LIFE AND MY HEART THAT BROUGHT ME TO CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOUR.

NOW, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS TRANSFORMED ME AND PUT HIS SPIRIT WITHIN ME,IT'S NOW I WANT TO DO GOOD WORKS THAT JAMES TALKS ABOUT. THIS TYPE OF WORKS COMES FROM THE FAITH THAT'S IN MY HEART. WHEN FAITH IS ALIVE YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS UNLESS YOU HAVE DEAD FAITH .SO JAMES IS SAYING THE SAME THING AS PAUL. YOU CANT WORK FOR SALVATION OR EARN IT IN ANY WAY; CHRIST ALREADY DID THE WORK FOR US ON THE TREE. BUT NOW, BECAUSE HE HAS DONE SO AND FAITH NOW LIVES IN MY HEART, I DESIRE TO DO MIGHTY WORKS FOR HIS KINGDOM TO THE HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN....GOD BLESS...

[Eastrea]

We are saved by faith alone, but arising from that saving faith should be the desire to do good works.

[bobbie4]

James and Paul both agree that salvation is not by works but that works are necessary to exercise the spiritual muscle we call God's grace in our lives. We work because we are loved. We work because we have been shown mercy. It is like the slave that has been made free but "chooses" to continue working for the master regardless. Works should be an outward expression of our love for God. Our lives were already mapped out before our birth but what we do with them only puts pictures to a page already written on with words.

[imsaved1]

So simple:

Salvation can only come through belief in Christ. This belief is on the basis of faith.

Works naturally come as a result of a growing Christian. If the Christian is stagnant, or backslidden, he will not be producing works.

Yet- when a Christian is connected with Christ on a daily basis through prayer and spending time in the word, than he will produce great works- whether they be big or small

[Saved55s]

How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Paul was stressing the fact that we are saved by grace & NOT by works, whereas James was trying to get the point across that to have faith in God we are to put it into practice by doing good works. Both have relevant points as we cannot earn favor by God just by doing good works, because anybody can do that, but to have favor with God we are to release our faith by inviting Jesus into our life & then fulfilling his plans for us in what he would have us do for his glory.

[Jeannie]

The difference between James' and Paul's idea on works is:

James says that if you say you believe, but do nothing to help someone in need is faith that is dead. Paul says that once we believe we will want to do good works, but just to work to get points is nothing. Both say that we can not have faith without works, but in a different way. James was speaking to the Jewish people because although the believed that followed their law and when someone was in need they would just wish them well and send them on their way. Paul was speaking with Jews and Gentile believers and some of the work they were doing was to make themself look good and not honoring God.

[JustJeff]

James points out that works, that is our Christlike manifestations of compassion, witnessing, preaching, spiritual gifts in action, et al, are a reflection of our faith. Paul on the other hand is stressing salvation by grace, which must be claimed in faith, not by the works of the law. Bottom line is that both are emphasizing the need for faith in action.

[Jewell]

Although we cannot be saved by doing good works, good works are a result of living for Christ.

[joanharmelink]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

The only thing that counts is faith e xpressing deeds. The faith that pro duces deeds is the only thing that saves. Action is evidence of true faith.