Faith Minus Works? #406

Some folks reject any relationship of works to faith in salvation. They may have an unhealthy view of both faith and accompanying works. They think if you make a confession of faith in Christ it does not really matter how you live. You are still bound for heaven. We may state this position as follows:

Faith Justification [Right standing with God] Works.

Several Bible texts contradict this thinking. "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?" (Romans 6:1). "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification [holiness] without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). "Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18).
James 2:24 also speaks to this position. "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." The word "justified" may be translated "vindicated." Compare Matthew 11:19, "Yet wisdom is vindicated [justified] by her deeds." This is a legitimate alternate meaning of the word. James 2:24 then reads, "You see that a man is vindicated by works, and not by faith alone."

We are justified, have right standing with God, by grace alone through faith alone. However, this is not a faith that stands alone. "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:17).

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