There is a verse in James that makes many Christians uncomfortable. It seems to contradict what Paul teaches about salvation by faith alone.
James writes:
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
James 2:14-16Faith without deeds is dead. That is what James says. And it seems to contradict Paul.
But does it?
The Context
James is not contradicting Paul. He is addressing a different problem. Paul was addressing people who thought they could earn salvation by following rules. James was addressing people who thought they could have faith without any evidence of faith.
Paul said you are saved by faith, not by works. James said real faith produces works. They are talking about different things.
Paul was talking about the entrance to salvation. James was talking about the evidence of salvation. They are not contradicting. They are complementary.
The Example
James gives an example. He talks about Abraham. Abraham was justified by faith. But then he offered his son Isaac on the altar.
"Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."
James 2:21-22His faith was made complete by what he did. Faith and works were working together. That is James' point.
Real faith produces real works. If there are no works, there is no faith.
The Conclusion
James concludes with this:
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
James 2:26Faith without deeds is dead. Just as a body without the spirit is dead.
This is not a contradiction to Paul. This is a complement. Real faith always produces works. If your faith is not producing works, it is not real faith.
James is not saying we are saved by works. He is saying we are not saved by a faith that has no works. The two are not contradictory. They are complementary. Real faith always produces real works.
What This Means
Here is what this means. If you say you have faith, but your life is not changing, something is wrong. If you say you believe in Jesus, but there is no fruit in your life, something is wrong.
Faith that saves is faith that transforms. Faith that saves produces works. Faith that saves changes your life.
If that is not happening, you need to examine your faith. Is it real?
Examine Your Faith
What is your faith producing? Are there works? Are there changes? Is your life different because of your faith? If not, you might have a faith that James would call dead. Ask God to give you a faith that produces.
The Balance
Neither Paul nor James is wrong. We are saved by faith. But real faith always produces works. We are not saved by works, but we are saved to good works.
That is the balance. Faith alone saves. But the faith that saves is never alone.
That is what James is saying. And that is what we need to hear.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10With honesty and hope,
Claire