Works or Faith?

James 2:24 “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Romans 3:28 “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

What saves someone? Works or faith? Is it one or the other or both? James 2:24 and Romans 3:28 seem to be in direct contradiction with one another, but with careful review, we can see that they are harmonious.

James encourages the reader to live out their faith through works just as Abraham did. James was able to demonstrate his faith in the Lord Jesus by his works, by his actions. If someone professes to have faith that there is one God, how is that faith because even the devils believe in God and tremble. They know there is a God, but they do not serve Him with good works nor demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, thus their faith is not an active faith of love or obedience to God.

Paul is discussing Old Testament law and how Jesus was the fulfillment of that law. Christ’s sacrifice is enough, we do not need anymore than Jesus to gain eternal life. Proof lies in the fact that the thief on the cross beside Jesus was given assurance of salvation with only his heartfelt confession. There was no time for the thief to perform good works, take communion, or be baptized. The thief’s faith in Jesus was enough (see Luke 23:39-43).

If our salvation is dependent on good works, then whoever has the highest good works score wins, right? If our access to eternal life was dependent upon us, then we would have reason to boast about attaining our salvation. Then it would be a game to achieve salvation and those with the most time on earth would have the most time to tally up the good works. Surely this is not salvation and would be unfairly skewed towards those who had more time on earth. Paul clears the matter up succinctly in his letter to the Ephesians stating, “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is a gift of God. It was His decision to offer it to us freely and not as a competition of works nor a set of strict rituals to adhere to.

You see that our works do not save us. We can never reach heaven by our own doing. We can never cleanse ourselves from our own sins. We can never do enough good. Only the Lord can wash away the stain of sin. Only the Lord can bring you into paradise with Him. Only the Lord can give you salvation.

If you place your faith and your life in the hands of the Lord Jesus, then show the world that your faith is real by your works. Show the Lord that your faith in Him is genuine by your works. Live out an active faith.