Q16. Works and Grace

[BJB123]

Faith without works is dead. We are saved by grace through faith in Gods word - not of works. We are saved to do works as predestined by God in Ephesians. God chose us to DO His work.

[Commissioned]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James' point about necessity of works is for the believer after salvation to live out his faith by living according to the laws of faith. The apostle Paul emphasis on salvation by grace without works is based on the fact that we obtain salvation because of God's love, nothing we can do to earn it. The work has already been done.

[Craig]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James is saying that a faith that is genuinely alive will bear fruit or good works. James is not saying that by works you are saved. Paul said that by grace you are saved and not by works lest we booast. James is not contesting that point, but again, a faith that is geniune and alive is alive with good works.

[Busy Lizzie]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

We are saved by grace and can never earn it through works, (thank you Jesus!). However we are expected to do good works as a result of the grace we have been given;

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Not only are we saved, we are given a purpose, a reason to live. Isn't that amazing, Father God has thought of everything!!

[Tina]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James says that genuine faith produces good works which in turn will bless others and bring God's blessings upon our lives to enrich us as Christians. He emphasises having faith: this is what makes us God's children if we follow His precepts. Works follow as a result of faith, though the mark of a goopd Christian is having faith and works together.

Paul reminds us that our good works do not save us. God's grace saved us. Good works is what is expected of God's followers.

[riyamg]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

I would like to consider that the two apostles are refering to the two sides of the same coin..Salvation is achieved ONLY and only by the grace of God but we, as a community reflecting His mission in this world should not only have faith but do the "good works" that are expected from us..Ultimately it is up to our Lord to give us salvation through His grace and we do not the know the criteria by which God will do that and that is where the faith counts..

[LearningaboutGod]

If faith alone could save us there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross. We can do nothing to earn our salvation yet we are saved to do good works. What would faith gain us without the gift of eternal life, this is free for all.

[hanks]

Q4. (2:20-26)

How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Pastor Ralph writes:

[Peggy Crans]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

The works come as a result of our salvation through grace. Our works won't save us. Only by Grace are we saved.

[C Riv]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

I believe that Paul is explainning to us that our salvation has already been given to us thru Jesus Christ. This can not be earned by any works, it is a gift from God. We just have to believe the scriptures and accept Christ. In doing that, you open yourself up to so much! You feed the spirit, Christ comes alive in you which in turn brings us to what James is saying about works in faith. It all compliments each other. JOHN 15 VS 5 says "I am the vine you are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing." God bless.

[smithj7]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

We must understand what James is saying about Abraham's act of faith. Abraham's act of offering Isaac as a sacrifice was an outward sign of his faith. But he had to complete this action to demonstrate his faith as indicated in James 2:22 "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did".

Many feel that Paul is teaching something different. For example in Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast."

This seems in conflict with James is saying. But Paul and James are addressing two different issues. Paul is trying to address the issue of legalism, whereas, James is addressing inaction. James use of the term works and Paul's aren't the same. Often people forget that Paul wrote such things as "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

So while we aren't saved by works, a person who is saved and filled with the Spirit, must do good works or her/his faith is dead.

[royk]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

We can and should help those in need, this is the action of a heart that has been won by the love of Jesus and the works of the Holy Spirit. All actions run by the heart are those that have a lasting effect. If the heart is not in it, "service" to someone will not be authentic. So the faith and love of God is naturally followed by actions that are authentic.

None of this will work if there is no authentic faith, i.e. insincere shallow actions might happen, but with no lasting effect.

[wifee]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James is emphasising the works part as evidence of a practicing christians faith, and Paul is saying that these works are not suffricient to be saved. We are saved by God's grace. It is not that Paul is saying we shouldn't do good works as well as believe. His emphasis is that it is by God's grace that we saved, not by our works alone.

[Ashech]

Paul told us how to become a born again Christian. We are given the salvation not based on the merit of our good works. Whereas James emphasised to us how to behave as Christians belonged to Christ The Lord. Therefore the necessity of works, are to prove Christ Jesus' works in our lives.

[bower]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

It is only from a point of grace that the works of love can surface. If you do not receive God's grace and express grace yourself you are not going to be able to love and express that love in service to God and through God to man.

[davidjjj]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

I don

[Ramon]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

Answer:

1.James point of the necessity of work in Faith is something like as a result of FAITH..James is telling us not to be complacent or passive with our Faith but to Show in our deeds,that indeed we are a Child of God,and belongs to His KINGDOM.

By emulating Jesus,in Helping and doing Good we are actually representing Him to the World..and be the channel of LOVE to which God is the source of all.

Pauls emphasis on Faith as necessity for Salvation is different from the point of James is raising.

Here PAUL IS ADVOCATING SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE..THROUGH FAITH.

It is a combination of GRACE and FAITH,and without one Salvation is not possible..Grace has appeared to all men,yet we know not all men are saved..because it lacks one ingredients that is FAITH..

Titus 2:11- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

So in order to be Saved,we must put our Faith in the Grace(Jesus) of God..and because of that Faith,we believe in our hearts that we are Saved..in fact this Faith that Save us through Grace is not our Faith but the FAITH OF GOD..(Eph 2:8-.. and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God)..it is the Gift of God..Gift of the Holy Spirit..(1 Cor 12:9.. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;)

[Cindy L W]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

James points out the works of obeying God's word and doing the work of acting out the Word and our faith with works. Paul points out that we are saved by grace and mercy. Salvation is a gift from God. We can't do anything in the flesh to make us acceptable for eternal life in Heaven. Jesus died to become our redemption which was God's will.

[Susan Renier]

James is saying that our good works will not save us, but faith without good works is dead. Paul was saying that following church laws will not save us - only faith will do that. However, he also states that we are "in Christ" to do good works.

[ljmnkscart]

Paul and James view on works are the same. James is talking about faith and the good works that true faith produces. Paul is talking about the same faith that produces good works; he is saying that a person is saved by this faith and the works that faith does, (that it is a gift or God, grace from God to believers) not the works or keeping of Old Covenant Laws.

[RodR]

James is talking about good works that naturally flow out of Faith and are an evidence of that faith. Paul is talking about works of the law that will not lead to a saving faith. Both would agree that Salvation is God’s work, not man’s and that true Salvation bears fruit in the life of the one who is saved.

[Old Jerry]

I think that James’ point about the necessity of works jive with Paul’s emphasis on salvation by grace without works is in perfect harmony. James is saying that if we have Jesus in our hearts then the natural thing would be to do good works. It has nothing to do with us receiving the grace of Jesus Christ. Paul is saying that the only way that we can receive that grace the Jesus has put in us has nothing to do with the works that we had performed.

[ragnew]

(2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

The order in which things happen is important. Faith comes first and then comes works. The evidence of our faith is our works. Faith and works are like the wings of a plane. If either one is missing the plane plummets to the ground. In the same way works without faith is useless and faith without works is dead. Both faith and works are given to us by the grace of God. Our salvation is by grace and our good works are prepared for us by God in His grace (Eph. 2:10) This keeps us humble on both fronts. We can't boast of saving ourselves and we can't boast of our works.

[Guitar Jim]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

 

 

James doesn't say that works are required for salvation. He simply says that having faith in God and in Jesus as your Savior is not sufficient. Faith must be demonstrated by us doing good works. Paul's argument that we are saved by faith and not by works is followed in that same passage by an exhortation to do good works! In fact Paul writes that these good works have been prepared in advance by God for us to do them. So really the two authors agree that good works are the way to go as far as living out our faith in the world. James' approach is different, that's all.

Paul had an extensive education prior to his becoming a Christian and wrote very eloquently. We have evidence if this in Acts where the governor tells Paul that his great learning has driven him mad.

James probably grew up with just a basic education and worked with his father Joseph in carpentry prior to assuming leadership of the Church in Jerusalem. His meat and potatoes style of writing would indicate that to be the case. There is nothing fancy in James' epistle. Just down to earth good teacing and advice.

His brother Jude was more eloquent. Perhaps he pursued more study than James. Both brothers became Christians not long before Jesus died, it would appear from reading between the lines in the Gospels and Acts. Their scriptural knowledge would have been gained when Jesus opened the minds of the believers to fully understand the scriptures after His resurrection.

[Craig]

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)?

 

Paul maintained that works or religious ritual could not save a person from sin and death. Salvation is found only in faith in Jesus Christ's atoning act on the cross.  His sacrificial death on the cross for all of humanity.  This wasn't just a thought or faith held in the mind, but action in permitting God's will to be carried out in Jesus' actual life and actions.  This teaching does not conflict with James' teaching that faith without works is dead. 

 

Once a person repents of sin and puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and death and accepts God's Word as a way of life that person then begins to live out God's Words in actual words and deeds..  In other words a person's faith and trust God is actually lived out in every day life.

 

What is the point accepting Jesus Christ as personal Lord and savior, reading God's Word, and inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives if this doesn't include impacting our actions.  The point is we live out what we believe and what we put our faith in.  Actions always reflect what we believe.  Faith, life, and actions are all interrelated.

 

Unless we live out our faith in God, there is no point in having that faith.  Because God's Word commands and directs us to carry out a myriad of things in this life.