Does James 2:24 which says "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" teach salvation by faith plus works?
Reply:
Understanding the Aspects Of Justification would flood a lot of light on this matter. There are 7 aspects of justification.
* A sinner is justified by grace. Romans 3:24 says: "being JUSTIFIED freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
* A sinner is justified by faith. Romans 5:1 says: "Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"
* A sinner is justified by blood. Romans 5:9 says: "Much more then, having now been JUSTIFIED BY BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him"
* A sinner is justified by the power of the resurrection. Romans 4:25 says: "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was RAISED BECAUSE OF OUR JUSTIFICATION.
* A sinner is justified by God. Romans 8:33 says: "...It is GOD WHO JUSTIFIES."
* A sinner is justified by words. Matthew 12:37 says: "For BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED, and by your words you will be condemned."
* A sinner is justified by works. James 2:24 says: "You see then that a man is JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, and not by faith only.
* The cause of justification --- Grace
* The means of justification --- Faith
* The price of justification --- Blood
* The dynamic of justification --- Power
* The agent of justification --- God
* The manifestation of justification --- Works and Words
When we say that a sinner is justified by faith alone we are talking about the means of justification. How is a sinner justified? Well, he is justified by faith alone. Before God, he is justified by faith alone.
James 2:24, on the other hand, is talking about the manifestation of justification to men. Men cannot see faith in one's heart. Faith is invisible. Only God can see faith. And man has to deal with his fellow man. A justified man is not called by God to live alone by himself. How can a justified sinner manifest his justification to his fellowmen? By his works and words.
Two Justifications a) Godward and b) Manward
Godward, the means of justification is faith alone. Manward, justification is manifested by works and words.
It is possible for one to seem to be justified before man but not before God since it is possible to have a semblance of works and words without genuine faith in the heart. It is also possible for one to have faith in the heart without the apparent works and words of justification. In the eyes of those who are looking from afar, the repentant thief on the cross seemed to be heading for damnation. To them, he was a criminal heading for judgment. What they did not know was that he became a believer or a truster in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation on the cross. If given a chance to live, he would have manifested the works and words of justification.
Although faith is something that is enabled by God, we are still the one who is going to exercise it, not God. And so, if you want to be justified, come now to Christ by faith alone in Christ alone.
