We Protestants passionately and resolutely proclaim that salvation comes through faith alone! We boldly cite Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as our “proof text” to support our belief. But let’s take a closer look at the tension between faith and works. Are they truly at odds with each other? Can we find a harmonious balance between the two? In this exploration of faith and works, we delve into the Scriptures and uncover the profound connection between genuine faith and the transformative power of good works. Join us on this enlightening journey as we embrace a faith that not only saves but also compels us to live a life of purpose and impact through our deeds.
Faith or works? Which one is it?
Are faith and works mutually exclusive when it comes to salvation? This question has sparked intense debates and theological discussions throughout history. On one hand, we have the Protestant belief in salvation by faith alone, while on the other hand, the book of James seems to emphasize the importance of works. How do we reconcile these seemingly contradictory perspectives? In this exploration of faith and works, we delve into the Scriptures and seek to uncover the nuanced relationship between faith and the good works that flow from it. Join us as we navigate through the depths of this theological tension and discover the beauty of a life filled with both faith and good works.
James asks a great question here:
”What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it?“ James 2:14 LEB
We Protestants will vehemently and indignantly respond “faith alone” will save us! We’ll quote Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as our “proof text”.
”For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.“ Ephesians 2:8-9 LEB
But James makes this statement which seems to put a stake in the heart of the proclamation that salvation is through faith alone. He says:
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17 ESV
Wow, that’s a pretty cut and dry statement by James, but it seems to contradict with what Paul says in Ephesians 2. What’s going on here? How can we reconcile this apparent contradiction? The answer is a bit nuanced, and James provides that nuance further on in the chapter.
Frequently, James 2:17 is taken out of context, so let’s add that back in:
”What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it? If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day, and one of you should say to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but does not give them what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit? Thus also faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.“ James 2:14-17 LEB
Next James gives us a compelling example of faith in action, demonstrating the relationship between faith and works:
“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” James 2:20-26 ESV
Just as James 2:17 is often taken out of context, Ephesians 2:8-9 is also taken out of context.
”For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.“ Ephesians 2:8-9 LEB
Take a look at what Paul said right after he says that “we have been saved through faith and not by works”:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
What else do the Scriptures say about “good works”?
Take a look at all the other passages that exhort the believer to a life of “good works”.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27 ESV
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.” Proverbs 3:27-28 ESV
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 ESV
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12 ESV
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 ESV
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 ESV
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:8 ESV
“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14 ESV
“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”” Luke 6:38 ESV
“but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” Acts 26:20 ESV
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24 ESV
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 ESV
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:8 ESV
”Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.“ 1 Peter 2:12 ESV
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Your “good works” in this world will be carried over to the New Creation
Authors N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird make an important observation about how Christians should view the importance of “good works”. They write:
“We are not called to tinker in the world and then walk away from it, but to curate creation for its consummation. We are not oiling the wheels of a machine that’s about to fall over a cliff. We are not restoring a great painting that’s shortly going to be thrown on to the fire. We are not planting roses in a garden that’s about to be dug up for a building site. We are–strange though it may seem, almost as hard to believe as the resurrection itself–accomplishing something which will become, in due course, part of God’s new world. If that is true, then, every act of love, gratitude and kindness; every work of art or music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of his creation; every minute spent teaching a severely disabled child to read or to walk; every act of care for a dying patient; every deed of comfort and support for refugees; everything done for one’s fellow human beings; everything to preserve and beautify the created order; all spirit-led teaching, every deed that spreads the gospel, builds up the Church, embraces and embodies holiness rather than corruption, every prayer for the heart’s longings, and the worship that makes the name of Jesus honoured in the world–all of this will find its way, through the resurrecting power of God, into the new creation that God will one day make. That is the logic of the mission of God. God’s recreation of his wonderful world, which has begun with the resurrection of Jesus, continues mysteriously as God’s people live in the risen Christ and in the power of his spirit. This means that what we do in Christ and by the spirit in the present is not wasted, not abandoned, not discarded. Our holy labours will last long, all the way into God’s new world. In fact, they will even be enhanced there.”— Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies by N. T. Wright, Michael F. Bird
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“Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both in works of charity and piety, and neither will excuse us from the other.” Matthew Henry
“We are too apt to rest in a bare profession of faith, and to think that this will save us; it is a cheap and easy religion to say, “We believe in the articles of the Christian faith;” but it is a great delusion to imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven.” Matthew Henry
From the Shepherd of Hermas:
1[ 38]: 7 Now hear,” saith he, “the things, in which thou shouldest not exercise self restraint, but do them. Exercise no self-restraint in that which is good, but do it.” 1[ 38]: 8 “Sir,” say I, “show me the power of the good also, that I may walk in them and serve them, that doing them it may be possible for me to be saved.” “Hear,” saith he, “the works of the good likewise, which thou must do, and towards which thou must exercise no self-restraint. 1[ 38]: 9 First of all, there is faith, fear of the Lord, love, concord, words of righteousness, truth, patience; nothing is better than these in the life of men. If a man keep these, and exercise not self-restraint from them, he becomes blessed in his life. 1[ 38]: 10 Hear now what follow upon these; to minister to widows, to visit the orphans and the needy, to ransom the servants of God from their afflictions, to be hospitable (for in hospitality benevolence from time to time has a place), to resist no man, to be tranquil, to show yourself more submissive than all men, to reverence the aged, to practice righteousness, to observe brotherly feeling, to endure injury, to be long-suffering, to bear no grudge, to exhort those who are sick at soul, not to cast away those that have stumbled from the faith, but to convert them and to put courage Into them, to reprove sinners, not to oppress debtors and indigent persons, and whatsoever actions are like these.