Faith, Works, and Why James and Paul Agree<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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The faith and works tension that appears so obvious between James and Paul has given many believers turmoil and many skeptics talking points concerning the unreliability of Scripture.  All of this because it appears that the two apostles are in direct conflict.  Consider these passages-
From Paul:  "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" Romans 3:20 (NASB95).
From James:  "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" James 2:24 (NASB95).
From Paul:  "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God" Romans 4:2 (NASB95).
From James:  "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" James 2:21 (NASB95).
One would have more difficulty finding more conflicting statements!
Our choices are fourfold.  First, we could ignore the apparent conflict, assuming that this is just another one of those things we can't fully understand.  I am uncomfortable with this approach because surely God is able to communicate clearly in His Word.  Second, we could assume Paul or James must be wrong.  Many have taken this approach, typically siding with Paul over James, assuming that the book of James is a spurious document unfit for Holy Scripture.  This was Martin Luther's position, for example.  The third choice is to assume both are wrong, and deny the infallibility of scripture.  This is the route that many liberals take today.  I, however, choose the fourth option-to assume both are right and figure out why!
The solution must be found in the context of each writer.  A verse by itself never gives the full message.  In context, James is writing to Christians who were formerly of the Jewish faith.  His message never wavers; from start to finish it is a message appropriate for believers who had come from a faith of the works of the Law, and were now first-generation converts into a faith of grace.  Yet a conflict arose in that many were abusing grace by forgetting the works that had previously been such a prominent part of their faith.
Knowing that the passage is to believers, we must then define what James means when he talks about Salvation.  In the context of James 1:14-15, salvation appears to be deliverance from sin, not deliverance from Hell.  It is a common mistake of modern believers to always view salvation solely as the born-again experience of a believer.  We can (and need to be) saved from many things.  James consistently speaks of salvation as a deliverance from the grip of sin in this world.  Interestingly, when Paul speaks in the same context, he says the same things as James!  Consider Romans 2:13 where Paul says, "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified."  Here it seems that Paul contradicts himself when he says, "the doers of the Law will be justified" and in the very next chapter says, "by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified" (Romans 3:20).  The difference is found in the context!  When Paul speaks of a faith that delivers from sin (Romans 2), he speaks of works.  These works "justify" or vindicate the faith.  When he speaks, on the other hand, of a faith that delivers from Hell (Romans 3), he speaks of grace.
James says that believers who have been delivered from Hell often need deliverance from sin, which, when allowed to grow, leads to death.  He would agree that grace delivers from Hell, but strongly argues that faith plus works are needed to deliver from trials and temptations.
James uses two illustrations that demonstrate his argument:  Abraham and Rahab.  Both had a saving faith that was from grace, but a delivering faith that was from works.  In the case of Abraham, James puts together two powerful scriptural truths to highlight this fact.  Relating to saving faith, James reminds us that "Abraham believed, and God credited it to him as righteousness."  But James goes on to say, "he was called the friend of God" (James 2:23).  We are told by Jesus in John 15:14 that, "you are my friends if you do what I command you."  These words to the disciples tell us that saving faith comes by grace but delivering faith comes by works. 
Peter is a great example as well.  Clearly Peter believed Jesus as the Son of God, placing his faith in Jesus Christ.  He had a grace-experience that is clear to all, and this grace gave him saving faith.  But in his time of crisis at the trial of Jesus, his works did not deliver him.  For, in that very moment of crisis, Peter failed.  After the failure, Jesus spoke to Peter of faith ("do you love me?"), but the emphasis was on works ("feed my sheep!")

For the faith that saves, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!  For faith that delivers from trial and temptation, add works!  There is no conflict, no ground for skeptics or liberals, and no reason for our minds to question.  Praise God for the clarity of His Word!
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