Justification by a Faith That Works
Romans 3:28
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” -Romans 3:28
This is the Apostle’s main proposition clearly and concisely stated. His conclusion is incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, incontestable, undeniable. , Paul is saying there are no two ways about it! This is our position: one is justified (before God) by faith apart from works of the law. The end.
But some may take issue with the Apostle Paul who claim that James, the brother of the Lord, preached otherwise. For he says in his letter to the church:
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” -James 2:14
“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” -James 2:20
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” -James 2:24
It must be clarified here that there is not a contradiction in the thinking and writing of these two apostles. Their arguments simply have different objects in view.
For Paul, the object of his argument is to show that the righteousness of God can be received no other way than through faith in Christ alone. It cannot be obtained by works, by keeping the law.
For James, the object of his argument is to show that the righteousness of God received by faith actually works. It works itself out in the actions of the one who has faith in Christ. A believer is justified before God by faith in Christ, but he is justified before men by the works his faith produces.
To paraphrase Martin Luther, we are saved by faith and not by works, but the faith that saves us is a faith that works. And, the Apostle Paul would agree with both James and Luther. For he writes to the Philippians,
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” -Philippians 2:12–13
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