“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and
not by faith only.” James 2:24
There are a lot of so-called Christians that believe this
scripture is absolute proof that salvation includes works. Well it would if
taken alone and out of context, but in context it is saying that a man
without works is a lost man. How can God tell us in the scripture that
salvation is NOT OF WORKS Eph. 2:9 and then tell us that works is part of
salvation? There are a lot of scriptural examples that condemn the thought that
works is in anyway part of salvation. Here are just a few, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians
2:21, Romans 8:3, Romans 11:6, James 2:10-11, and there are many more. There is
not one single scripture in the bible that is as clear as Eph. 2:9 that tells
us that salvation is of works, not one! People that believe in works for salvation
cannot be saved or God saved them, and they are really confused about the
scriptures. It is impossible for the writing of the scriptures to be out of
context because The Holy Spirit is the author of the scriptures. The scriptures
were not written for the natural person to understand them, the scriptures are
like a parable to the lost person, they cannot make heads or tails of them. "Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:13 - 14 This makes it impossible for a
lost person to understand the scriptures. The Holy Spirit does not teach non-truths
just as He did not inspire people to write contradiction. “All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy
3:16 So the very thought that Paul and James believed or wrote in
contradiction is very ungodly and confusing. Therefore, the conclusion of what
James is saying is, if a person is saved and they have no works in their life, then
they are not saved. Because faith in Jesus Christ always brings works,
always. A person may not be as much a worker as the strongest in faith, but
there are works of truth in their life. “Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it,
that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2 If one pretends to believe
in Christ and bears no fruit then they are not truly in Christ. God did not
save that dead sinner to be fruitless, it is our fruits that glorify Jesus
Christ and our Father and if there are no works than there is not glory to God.
God left nothing up to the creature to self-accomplish, or a person is not a
bad Christian that has no works, God thru the Holy Spirit accomplishes our
works, therefore there are no bad Christians in Christ. “For all this I
considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the
wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or
hatred by all that is before them.” Ecclesiastes 9:1 “and LORD,
thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.”
Isaiah 26:12 Therefore, the conclusion must be that self-works for
salvation is dead – that self-works in Christ is dead – because we are what
God thru the Holy Spirit hath made us. Great workers in Christ are great
workers thru the Holy Spirit’s power, just as all Christian workers are.
However, we must conclude that all in Christ will have works of righteousness because
all in Christ must glorify God in some part of their life otherwise, they are
dead branches. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
faith only.” James 2:24 Showing God’s glory thru your works. Just
because someone says they are a Christian does not make them a Christian, just
because a person appears to have good works does not mean they are a Christian.
“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 which is in heaven. Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21 A sinner must have faith in Jesus Christ as
their Saviour and if they do, they must have a show of their faith by some
works to glorify God. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me
thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe,
and tremble." James 2:17 - 19 Be careful in what you believe, there
is only one truth and one salvation, and many lies of Satan. “Search the
scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me.” John 5:39 They testify of Jesus as Saviour not your works.
