Back to Back

The Bible says “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:14-18 (KJV)

So many times we hear people try to say this passage of Scripture is an argument which stands in opposition to Paul’s preaching of salvation by faith alone. The supposed tension is just that, supposed. Actually, instead of looking at it as Paul and James being at odds, one should look at them being back to back fighting the same battle as soldiers back to back. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” This is the truth of salvation by faith alone. However, like Paul Harvey always said, “Now for the rest of the story!”

James is taking a stand against those who have given their lives over to Jesus by faith but then instead of being obedient to the Great Commission they are content to sit back and do nothing to help those around them. Ours isn’t a salvation by works but it is a to be a salvation that does work. Jesus said we are to be a salt and light to the world and then He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We have been buried with Jesus and risen to walk in newness of life, striving to allow Jesus to be seen in us while we have the eyes of Jesus, moved with compassion to look upon this lost and dying world. Let’s get to work until Jesus comes and we’ll be going home!
Daily Chronological Bible Reading: Habakkuk 1-3