Justification Series: The Meaning of Justification in James 2

When Paul speaks of justification in Romans 3 and 4, he is using it in relation to eternal salvation whereas James uses justification in relation to the believer’s spiritual life after receiving eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

In the epistle of James, James makes a reference to justification, which is not a reference to justification in relation to eternal salvation but rather approval from God for performing actions, which are in obedience to the Word of God.

In the epistle of James, James teaches his readers who were believers that Abraham demonstrated his faith by performing works and when he speaks of works, he is referring to actions that are produced by obedience to God’s commands.

James 2:14-24 is addressed to believers challenging them to operate in faith “after” justification and which faith is demonstrated by obedience to God resulting in good works that are approved by God.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? (NIV84)

In the Bible, the term “brothers” is always used as a designation for believers and never unbelievers, thus James is addressing his readers as fellow believers in relation to their walk with God “after” salvation since they are already saved.

Therefore, the term “save” is “not” a reference to eternal salvation but rather the believer’s “deliverance” after conversion from his sin nature, the devil and the cosmic system by obeying the Word of God.

The term “deeds” is “not” a reference to working for one’s eternal salvation but rather it is a designation for obedience to God resulting in actions that benefit one’s fellow believer.

James 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (NIV84)

In James 2:15-17, James teaches his readers that if they do not help their fellow believer who is destitute and in need of the essentials of life, then they are not operating in faith meaning they are disobeying God who commanded them to love one another as themselves (Mark 12:28-31).

James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (NIV84)

James teaches that a believer’s faith is demonstrated by his works and when he speaks of works, he is referring to his actions that benefit his fellow believer, and which actions are produced by obedience to God’s Word.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (NIV84)

This passage teaches that the demons believe that God is one but they do not produce actions that are the result of obedience to God.

James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (NIV84)

James teaches that Abraham was justified by his works and identifies what those works were, namely, the offering of Isaac his son on the altar, which was in obedience to God.

Therefore, we can see that when James uses the term “deeds” in this passage he is referring to a believer’s actions that are the result of obedience to God’s commands.

When Paul in Romans 3:20 uses the term “observing the Law” he is using it with reference to the unbeliever’s actions that are in obedience to the Scriptures, which can never justify him before a holy God since the Law demands perfect obedience.

When James uses the term “considered righteous,” he is “not” referring to justification in relation to eternal salvation of the sinner but rather justification in the sense of the believer receiving “approval” from God for being obedient.

James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. (NIV84)

James teaches that Abraham’s faith produced actions that were in obedience to God and which actions, he calls “actions.”

When James uses the term “was made complete” he means perfected in the sense of being accomplished.

Therefore, James is teaching that as a result of Abraham’s actions in sacrificing Isaac, and which actions were in obedience to God, the goal of faith was accomplished.

The goal of faith is obedience to God, which is what Paul is referring to in Romans 1:5.

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (NIV84)

James is quoting Genesis 15:6.

James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. (NIV84)

When James uses the term “justified by what he does” he means that a believer is justified before God in the sense that he is “approved” by God when he produces actions that are in obedience to God.

This obedience demonstrates his faith in God and does “not” refer to the sinner being declared justified through faith in Christ resulting in eternal salvation.

Abraham was a tremendous example for James’ readers to follow in that Abraham was approved by God because his attempted sacrifice of his beloved son Isaac was in obedience to God’s commands and which obedience demonstrated his faith.

James is not attempting to describe for his readers how they can identify a so-called “genuine” believer but rather he is simply challenging his readers to obey God, which demonstrates their faith and benefits their fellow believer.

Now, although James is referring to believers receiving approval from God for their obedience, God’s approval of the believer’s actions that are in obedience to His Word are evidence that the believer has been justified in relation to eternal salvation.

Eternal security is one of the most important results of justification.

As we noted in our introduction to the subject of justification, to be justified by God through faith alone in Christ alone means that God can never condemn the sinner for his or her sins if the sinner has exercised faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

It means that a believer can never lose his or her salvation because of any sin since God, who is a perfect judge, rendered a perfect decision when he declared righteous the person, who exercised faith in His Son Jesus Christ!

Thus, Paul declares the following:

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now, as an eternal spiritual truth, never any condemnation, none whatsoever for the benefit of those in union with Christ who is Jesus. (Pastor’s translation)

There is absolutely never any condemnation whatsoever for the Christian because of a legal decision rendered by the Father the moment they exercised faith in His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior.

The Father is a perfect judge and once He renders a decision, it can never be rescinded.

It is a once and for all, final decision.

He never makes a mistake.

He saves the Christian based upon the merits of His Son and His Son’s deaths (spiritual and physical) on the cross.

The Christian has no merit with God.

The object of his faith, Jesus Christ has all the merit with God the Father.

Therefore, the Christian’s salvation and the fact that he avoids eternal condemnation is based upon the merits of the Person of Christ and what He did at the cross for sinners.

The justification of the sinner through faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of the believer’s spiritual life and is a guarantee of a resurrection body.

It also results in thanksgiving to the Father and the glorification and praise of the Father, the Son and the Spirit for their grace policy.

It gives the Trinity all the credit and the creature none.

It involves the sovereignty, omnipotence, righteousness and justice of God as well as His life and attribute of love.

Lastly, it has given rest to many a weary soul, which has sought to justify itself through a system of meritorious works, which never measure up to the perfect standards of a holy God.