Season 5 Podcast 11 Faith and Works
We are saved by grace but judged for our works. One may ask what is the link that ties grace and works together?
The tapestry of salvation is tightly woven together. Everything is connected through law and one thing becomes a condition of the other in a never-ending chain.
Paul clearly established that we are saved by grace and not by works. However, the word “works” appears over 400 times in the King James Bible. Why? The obvious answer is that works play a very large role in our judgment. Of the 400 times works are mentioned, I will just select a few key scriptures. Clearly much more could be added than our allotted time allows.
As we read the scripture, I shall highlight at least one key issue related to works. For convenience I shall call them principles. In this podcast I shall deal with five principles regarding works. However, let me here first add a caveat. Two things make it possible for God not to be arbitrary:
One. Everything is governed by law. God does nothing outside of law. His house is a house of law and order. That means that we all have equal opportunity. We choose which of the laws of God we obey and which of the laws of God we will not obey. That is called agency. Every blessing from God is based upon law.
Two. We are judged by our works not by the whims of an arbitrary God. Again, we choose what works we do and what works we do not do. In other words, we are responsible for our own behavior, not God. God is just.
Let’s begin with James, whom some scholars claimed to be the son of Mary or brother of Jesus. James loved talking about works.
James 2:14-20
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 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?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 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.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
(James 2:14-20)
A few verses later James added, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” In other words, “works” give life to our faith.
Then we must ask, what role does faith have in our Salvation? Paul comes to mind. In Ephesians Paul tells us,
“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.”
He is speaking, of course, of faith in Christ. There is the connection or link between grace and works. We are saved by grace through faith. However, faith without works is dead; therefore, faith in Christ brings grace, but works bring faith. But James goes even further.
“24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24)
According to James, Works justify us. To justify us means to satisfy the demands of the law of justice. Works demonstrate our faith in Christ. A definition of works would be to keep the commandments of Christ. If we violate those commandments, then our works will condemn us. We can’t save ourselves regardless of our works, but Christ can. Through the atonement of Christ, we are saved and resurrected into eternity.
