Works

by Terry Wane Benton

In Romans 3-4

We are justified “by faith apart from the deeds of the Law” (Romans 3:28). To be justified by means of the deeds of the law, one would have to be perfect and never sin. Break one law and being justified by the deeds of the law is all over.

Jews trusted in circumcision and being the ones favored with a written law code from God, and wrongly concluded that this was proof that they were God’s favored people. Paul pointed out that circumcision would indeed be profitable “if you keep the law”(Romans 2:25), but said if you break the law, circumcision does you no good. So, since all have sinned (violated the law), then “by the deeds (works) of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:20).

Paul then points out two cases, neither of which was justified by the works of the law. Abraham was pronounced right before God, before circumcision, and before the Sinai law was written in stone. He was blessed to have forgiveness through faith. No one who needs forgiveness can be justified by works. The second case was their favorite king, David. Was he justified before God on the basis of circumcision and the law? No! He too broke that law. He talked about the “blessed” condition of those who have faith and have forgiveness of sins. Thus, “works” in Romans 3-4 are works whereby one could boast and where God would owe us (Romans 4:4). Thus, works of perfect law-keeping are a program where grace and forgiveness are not needed from God. If there are no law violations, then there is no sin and no need for what Jesus offered on the cross.

I’m in the same boat with Abraham and David. I have “worked not.” I have sinned. (Romans 3:23; 6:23). I count it a blessed condition to be on the program of grace through faith. In this program, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:3,7).

One gets “in Christ” at the point of baptism within faith (Galatians 3:27). The Roman brethren and Paul himself had, by an obedient faith, died to sin (repented) and were “buried with Him in baptism” (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Repentance and baptism are not “deeds of the law.” They are open admissions that we have failed the law and need mercy. They are the appeals of faith for mercy (Acts 2:37-41). At this point in faith, God washes away our sins in the blood of Jesus. (Acts 22:16). If this does not happen in this order, one has simply not believed in the words of Jesus and remains under the condemnation of the law. Enter the blessings of Jesus to escape.

In James 2

As we have seen, the context of a word determines its meaning. In Romans 3-4, Paul was discussing the works of perfect law-keeping, wherein a person could boast in self and need no grace for forgiveness. But this is not the kind of “works” that James discusses.

James discusses works of faith, not works of merit. He addressed the nature of faith. It is not a stagnant, inactive faith. It is a faith that proves itself by works.

Abraham was justified before God when he demonstrated his faith, but would cease to be justified if he disobeyed. Thus, justification is an ongoing thing between man and God. When God commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac, there was a test of the measure of Abraham’s love for God. James said, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). If Abraham does not put God first and obey even in regard to this most severe test of his faith, he will have a “dead” faith. A dead faith does not remain in a “justified” state before God.

But James goes on to tell us that Abraham passed this test. He was “justified by works” (James 2:21). Works of faith, not works of merit or perfect law-keeping. “Faith was working” (James 2:22). “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). James wanted to squash the notion that a man can be justified by “faith only.” It can’t happen. That doctrine is not to be found in the scriptures.

So, the rhetorical questions that James asked at the start can be clearly answered: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”(James 2:14). The necessary inference is that such a faith “does not profit” self or anyone else. He also asks, “Can faith save him?” And, again, the answer is no! A faith that does not work is a faith that will not save.

Now, in conclusion, let us remember that Paul was speaking of “works of the law” (keeping the law perfectly). No man is justified by keeping the law perfectly. All have sinned. James is on a different topic from Paul. James is speaking of “works of faith” and whether faith alone can save. The answer to that question is: Faith alone, if it does not have works (actions of obedience and mercy), is dead and cannot save. James is not discussing the same kind of works as Paul discussed in Romans 3-4. But, Paul, in harmony with James, speaks of “obedience of faith” and “faith working” (Galatians 5:6). Thus, Paul and James are in perfect harmony.