Steven Grayson asks: Why does James teach salvation through works, while Paul teaches salvation through faith? Isn't this a contradiction in the bible? James 2:24 states, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone,".

Hey Steven.

So first off, as good readers, we need to be careful of isolating verses. Reading a verse out of context can mean absolutely anything. Imagine the implications of someone explaining being depressed, and someone tells them, "The Bible says Judas hung himself". As this would be an obvious failure of reading the entire chapter, the same applies to what James is explaining.

In proper context, James does not teach that salvation comes from works, but rather, by a kind of faith that produces good works. This can be seen as James states "what good is it, my brothers, if anyone man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" (James 2:14). The answer being "no".

Here, James is pointing out the difference between simply believing something versus placing your hope and trust in it. That's why he says "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:18-19). In other words, while demons believe that there is one God, they do not place their trust in him. It's the difference between claiming to have faith and actually having faith.

Secondly, this understanding is consistently taught throughout scripture. Before becoming a Christian, we committed sins without thought, which now bring conviction. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God” (1 John 3:9).

In other words, a true believer will see a decreasing pattern of sin in their life. While we will still sin (due to not being perfect), we will not continue practicing sin as a way of life. There will be a difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Christ. The born-again Christian produces “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

Lastly, there is no contradiction between the teachings of James and Paul. Instead, James addresses the false claim of "said faith" in replacement of "saving faith", just as Paul addresses the equally erroneous teaching that salvation can be earned by observing the Law.

Therefore, both teachings of Paul and James, are in perfect harmony. The understanding here is that, salvation is obtained by faith alone, in Christ alone, yet, this faith will become evident as you produce good works. So, while Paul and James are in agreement, the real inconsistency is to say that someone has been saved, but has not changed.

Comments:

Steven Grayson: Man, I think this has been the only time someone gave me such a satisfying answer. This was really bothering me. Thank you all so much.

Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks for the question. Be blessed.

Erica Davis: I recently read a Book from RC Sproul on this topic. He holds the same view.

Steven Grayson: What is the book called?

Erica Davis: Justified by faith alone.

Steven Grayson: Thanks.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."