Does Faith Need Works?

Does Faith Need Works?

In Ephesians 2, it says salvation is a gift from God through faith; however, in James, it says we are justified by works, so what is happening here?

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast," (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995). Here, Paul notes we are saved through faith and that this is a gift. 

"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone," (James 2:24 NASB1995). Here, James tells us faith is justified by works.

It must be noted that there is a distinction. Paul says we are saved through faith, and James says we are justified by our works. Earlier in James, we read: "For if any be a hearer of the word(the word is Jesus), and not a doer(follower of Jesus' commandments[John 14:15-24]), he is like unto a man beholding(seeing) his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth(sees) himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was(forgets who or what he saw). But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty(God's law), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed," (James 1:23-25 KJV). 

In the passage quoted, James is using an interesting analogy that comes out as confusing if one does not read it carefully, so let us take this slowly. "For if any be a hearer of the word(The Gospel), and not a doer(follower of Jesus' commandments[John 14:15-24]), he is like unto a man beholding(seeing) his natural face in a glass," (James 1:23 KJV). Firstly, what is the word? The word is Jesus. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth," (John 1:14 KJV). Who is the only begotten of the Father? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," (John 3:16 KJV). The Son is the one who is the begotten, and Jesus is the Son(Matthew 14:33, Luke 8:28). Thus, Jesus is the Word.

Then we get to "... and not a doer ..." (James 1:23 KJV). A doer of what? Of the word, of Jesus' word. "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him," John 14:23 KJV).

Now we have arrived at James' analogy. "... he is like unto a man beholding(seeing) his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth(sees) himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was(forgets who or what he saw)," (James 1:23-24 KJV). One who does not follow his(Jesus') word is like a man who looks at his reflection, only to forget what he had seen. The point James is getting at to draw absurdity, to say just as it would be absurd for this to occur, it would be absurd for one to not be a doer after hearing the word.

He then concludes with, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty(God's law), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed," (James 1:25 KJV). Whoever is to follow God's law, the law of liberty, they are indeed blessed. 

We are saved by faith as Paul notes, but works come out of faith. Again, as James writes: "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder," (James 2:19 NASB1995). James notes both demons and man believe in God, but what is the difference? Why are demons cursed but we may live forever with Christ? It is because our faith is a good faith, it produces good works.

Works Cited:

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.