It might seem odd for a Lutheran Pastor to do a blog series on James. Martin Luther was famously not fond of the book of James. He was much more a fan of the Book of Romans.
Luther is quoted as saying:
I cannot include him (James) among the chief books, though I would not thereby prevent anyone from including or extolling him as he pleases, for there are otherwise many good sayings in him.
Luther is not the only one to struggle with this book. The issue that arises with James is what is said in the last part of chapter 2. The problem is the relationship between faith and works.
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 (ESV)
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24 (ESV)
On the surface, these verses appear as a direct contradiction to what is written in other parts of the Scripture. Take as an example what Paul says in Ephesians:
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 (ESV)
In James, it seems to say we are saved by the combination of faith and works. In Ephesians, it says we are saved by faith and works play no role. So how do we reconcile this apparent contradiction? Here are a few thoughts.
We are saved by works
We are saved by works. That may sound strange, but salvation – by its very nature – is a work. Something needed to be done. Our relationship with God was fractured.
The question is who does this work of reconciliation. As believers, we recognize the saving work is the work of Christ. The work of salvation was his life, death, and resurrection.
Even faith is a work. The working of faith in our hearts is not something we could ever accomplish. That too is the work of God through the Holy Spirit.
Faith is universal
Another thing to recognize is that faith is universal. Every person who has ever walked the Earth has believed in something. There are many people who put faith in faith and not necessarily God. They believe if they think enough positive thoughts and hope for the best, everything will work out. The bottom line is they are putting faith in themselves to think enough good things. They are putting their faith in the stars aligning.
It takes as much faith to not believe in God as it takes to believe in God. There comes a point in time where we must all take a step of faith. The question is where we will put that faith. We all put our faith in something. So what is the object of our faith?
Next Monday we will explore the question of faith and works further. We will look at how the object of our faith becomes evident in the life we live.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you misplaced your faith? What was the result?
- Do you agree that it is just as difficult to not believe in God as it is to believe in God? Why or why not?
- How does the object of our faith affect the life we live?
- Share your comments below.
Camille says
I believe all good relationships take works.We do works out of love and respect..I don’t see how a relationship with God, Jesus could be any different than one with our closest friend. We are supposed to do for those we do not love..Is it not easier to give or do for those we do love??
Christine Giles says
My faith is very new compared to many other Christians. I believe I am a Christian because I now believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for my sins. But I have only had that faith or belief for less than a year so it wobbles constantly. I have a voice in my head which constantly says “its all nonsense” – how can that be true? I have to push the thought away so my faith is misplaced daily. its a constant battle.
JOAN says
To Christine: What is so wonderful about the gift of salvation is it doesn’t make any sense – in man’s way of thinking. Praise God! WE do not have to “push” those thoughts away – rely on God & He will push them away. Any time I have “stinkin’ thinkin'” I just replace those thoughts with His Word & say the truth out loud.
Lee says
Thank God for your struggle with faith. Checking your faith on a daily basis will only strengthen your faith each time you have an encounter. God is with you and will not forsake you. Faith doesn’t really make any sense so we constantly have to struggle to overcome any doubts. The reward is the fulfillment of the love of God. Pray and we will pray with you.
Emily says
Christine, I think it is your faith that made you share and now you’re being blessed because others are praying for an increase in your faith too. Faith is one of the things I’ve struggled with even though I was brought up in the Lutheran church – it’s embarassing since I’ve been at it so long. Anyways, I’m trying to say that you are not alone and even some of those who have been around for a while are right there with you. Thankfully we only need a mustard seed but life feels so much better those times when faith does come.
Chuck Semrow says
Christine, thank you for your honesty. I came to Christ and was only baptized as an adult. The thoughts you describe happen far less often now. Memorizing Scripture has helped immensely–God’s word often leap to mind when I need them. I also take that thought directly to God, saying, “Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief.” And reading CS Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letter” as part of an adult Bible study was eye opening (we even “named our demon”); and my wife and I pray together daily, share Scripture that touched us or how we applied it. God bless, Chuck
Elisabeth Bennett says
I believe that faith is our gift from God, through his son. Any works of good that we do, are our gifts to God to thank him for loving us enough to save us. Galations lists our gifts, and the works that proceed out of our gifts from God. Faith without works is dead, so we need to respond by the fruits of our faith, i.e., good works.
Nanette Sulik says
Once we acknowledge that we believe, we are now faced with two things: how much our God has loved us, and his command to love in return. Would we have the gift of faith if we did not have God’s love first? Could we truly love without faith (trust)? Perhaps faith is the response we have to God first loving us…Regardless, LOVE without works is dead. Someone can profess their LOVE forever, but without showing love, they are a ‘clanging cymbal’. I do not think the connection between these three blessings can be separated, nor can the joy we receive when we act out in love.
Kay smith says
Paul says that we are being confirmed to the image of Christ; to be conformed is to take on his concerns- that of serving rather than being served. Likewise Jesus says what we do for the least of these we do for him. I think faith grows our desire and ability to be conformed to God; works become the outwArd and visible sign of the inward grace…
Celia Jackson says
As we mature as Christians our faith increases because we have more and more evidence of God’s goodness. In exercising our faith we usually have done something / ‘works’ which we hope will have a particular outcome. There are instances however when there is a burning desire in our heart and even without doing anything God in His goodness who knows even before we could express it grants it. So I believe God through the Holy Spirit allow Faith to work with or without works