FAITH ONLY DOCTRINE (1)
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James 2:14-26: Faith Without Works is Dead.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?
There are four kinds of works discussed in the New Testament.
There are four kinds of works discussed in the New Testament.
The works of the flesh. (Gal. 5:19-21).
The works of the Mosaic Law. (Gal. 2:16).
The works of human merit [activities invented by human ingenuity by which man seeks to obtain favor with God].
9 not of works, that no man should glory.
The works God requires us to obey. This is the kind of works James discusses in the text (2:14-26).
34 And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
4 We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
James emphasizes the practical aspects of Christianity; he teaches the need to do, and warns against hearing only. Here he shows that faith alone cannot save.
James emphasizes the practical aspects of Christianity; he teaches the need to do, and warns against hearing only. Here he shows that faith alone cannot save.
There is no contradiction between James and Paul
8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory.
Paul is speaking of works required by the Law of Moses and the works of merit
James is speaking of works of obedience, in becoming a Christian and living the Christian life
In neither case do we earn salvation.
10 Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
God excluded from the plan of salvation all works of which one might boast
God excluded from the plan of salvation all works of which one might boast
He included those works which perfect faith (works which are commanded by the Lord).
The doing of those which he excluded cannot save, and the neglect of those included leaves one unsaved.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; 18 and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:
This involves a major difficulty for the proponents of salvation by faith only—it flatly denies their proposition.
This involves a major difficulty for the proponents of salvation by faith only—it flatly denies their proposition.
Their reply is that James is speaking of works done after becoming a Christian.
Their reply is that James is speaking of works done after becoming a Christian.
But this position denies their other major doctrine that a saved person cannot fall: they are admitting that works are required of a Christian, and James says without them they cannot be justified (saved).
Therefore, in saying these works James talks about are to be done only by a Christian, they are saying that eternal salvation in heaven is conditional, that a Christian must faithfully discharge his duty.
The works that James says are required for salvation include obeying the gospel plan of salvation (believe, repent, confess, be baptized) and faithfully following the dictates of the gospel.
The errorists deny the first but accept the second: thus they contradict their once-saved-always-saved theory.
Obedience is required in order for an alien sinner to become a Christian; obedience is required of a Christian in order for him to remain pleasing and acceptable to God.
To deny that any works have any part in being saved denies the essentiality of faith itself.
To deny that any works have any part in being saved denies the essentiality of faith itself.
If every item classified as a work is excluded from God’s plan of salvation, then faith itself is excluded, for faith is specifically called a work.
If every item classified as a work is excluded from God’s plan of salvation, then faith itself is excluded, for faith is specifically called a work.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
One can claim to have faith, but for faith to profit the individual, it must be demonstrated [or perfected] by works of obedience.
One can claim to have faith, but for faith to profit the individual, it must be demonstrated [or perfected] by works of obedience.
James deals here with the principle
Other verses spell out the precise acts of obedience required.
In the case of Israel at Jericho, certain conditions were required before the walls fell and the city became theirs
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.
We may know that salvation is not by faith only if either of the following four points is true:
We may know that salvation is not by faith only if either of the following four points is true:
If salvation is by a living faith.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
If salvation is in Christ.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
If a figure of speech is used which puts a part of the process for the whole process.
18 And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
… Only repentance is named; the other conditions are implied; repentance stands for the whole process.
21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
… Only baptism is named; the other conditions are implied; baptism stands for the whole process.
If any believer is not saved.
42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
5 And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.