Justification, faith/works

[Palinator]

’m having trouble understanding how justification works. I always heard that it was faith alone and that works come as a result of faith, but reading James 2, I’m a little uncertain about my understanding.

James 2:21-24 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (NASB)

21 seems to indicate that Abraham was justified by works and then 23 says that Abraham was considered righteous because he believed. Then in light of verse 24 also, it doesn’t seem to make sense that we are justified just by faith alone. Isn’t that one of the problems typically in Catholicism, that people think they are justified by works also or something? Can you please explain faith and works in justification?

[National Intelligence Director Phoenix]

’m having trouble understanding how justification works. I always heard that it was faith alone and that works come as a result of faith, but reading James 2, I’m a little uncertain about my understanding.

James 2:21-24 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (NASB)

21 seems to indicate that Abraham was justified by works and then 23 says that Abraham was considered righteous because he believed. Then in light of verse 24 also, it doesn’t seem to make sense that we are justified just by faith alone. Isn’t that one of the problems typically in Catholicism, that people think they are justified by works also or something? Can you please explain faith and works in justification?

Hiya Joan. Good question.

What most people forget is that in James 2 and Romans 4, James and Paul quote the same verse. So what do we do?

Look at what's going on in James 2. James is talking about a situation of people coming into the church and not receiving proper consideration, but the people in the church say, "Well I have faith."

James tells them that if they don't have works, then do they really have faith? After all, the demons know who Jesus is, and they shudder! They're just not saved. They don't act properly on that knowledge. Now if we say that we believe in Christ and don't act accordingly, can we claim any better?

So what role do works play? Works show who you serve. I personally think the justification is before men. Man cannot know you're saved unless it shows up in your life in some way. This isn't saying you're going to be perfect. None of us are this side of eternity. This says though that you're being conformed to the likeness of Christ.

And Joan, personally, if you love Christ and serve him, you don't even have to worry about it. I believe in eternal security, but if I just love Christ and remember that God is in control and seek to live as he would have me to live, which I would do if I love Christ anyway, I don't even have to worry.

Hope this helps!