Faith Without Works Is Dead – Differences of Opinion

 

Faith Without Works Is Dead – Differences of Opinion

 

Many others have weighed in on the topic: “Faith Without Works Is Dead”, so I thought I’d add my perspective with perhaps a couple of “new wrinkles”. Note that the scriptural statement is found in the Book of James, in James 2: 20, and as follows in Verse 26:

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Some “differences of opinion” that exist regarding the relationship between “faith” and “works”  reflect differences as to what criteria must be met for believers to receive salvation through the Lord Jesus.  Because of his ties to the Jerusalem Church, the position taken by James was consistent with the doctrine guiding the Nation of Israel’s followers of the Lord Jesus during His Earthly ministry. Three factors were required for an Israelite to receive salvation and become a member of the Jerusalem Church.  They were:  1) believing in the Name of Jesus (signifying that He was their Messiah and the Son of God); 2) repentance; and 3) water baptism. Those “works” had to accompany and demonstrate their “faith”.

Other Bible students have read the same scripture and concluded that the emphasis should be on what was to happen after that same person became a believer in the Lord Jesus.  In this view, the believer was both encouraged and required to perform “good works” as a demonstration of “faith” for others to see. If believers followed James’ instructions, they would positively affect both fellow believers and those who might be influenced to join the church.

At this point I’d encourage you to read the entire Chapter Two of the Book of James, both for the context around the different perspectives, and to see if you agree with either…or both.

 

Before continuing, I want you to consider whether there might be yet another perspective. The differences of opinion noted above were relevant and appropriate for the Jews / Israelites who embraced the Lord Jesus’ Earthly Ministry and the Gospel of the Kingdom. Would anything change the interpretation of that same scripture for us as Christians now, after the Lord Jesus’ Crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and Ascension, under the Gospel of Grace?

 

As Christians and Bible students, I’d first like to remind you of a few fundamental concepts that guide our study and learning today. 

First, the advice given by the Apostle Paul to his protégé` Timothy in 2 Timothy: 16-17:

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

              Secondly, further advice from the same letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2: 15:

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Thirdly, to provide context during any Bible study, remember the words of Myles Coverdale, who produced the first complete printed English translation of the Bible, in 1535:

“It shall greatly help ye understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth after.” (https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/18516375.Myles_Coverdale#:~:text=It%20shall%20greatly%20help%20ye,before%20and%20what%20followeth%20after.)

 

With the understanding that we can all benefit in some way from all that is written in the Scripture, we should also understand that not everything in the Bible was written directly to us… especially since we are primarily Gentiles living in this Age of Grace. That is one aspect of “rightly dividing the word”. Some things were written for our learning from the past experiences of others. Others were written for our active doctrine.

As an example, scholars have informed us that the James who authored the scripture in discussion was the half-brother of our Lord Jesus.. The opening of this Book of James, states in James 1: 1:

1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”

It is apparent that James is writing to the members of the Nation of Israel who have been “scattered” from their homeland. Because of the timing of his letter, it is probable that he was writing to other members of the Jerusalem Church who had gone abroad to escape persecution. That persecution was spearheaded by the notorious Pharisee Saul of Tarsus, who wanted to erase all vestiges of thought related to Jesus Christ. (Acts 8: 1-4; 26: 1-11)

James and the others in the Jerusalem Church were followers of the Lord Jesus during His Earthly ministry, when the Lord preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. Israel was still operating under the social and religious Laws established in the Old Testament as given to Moses.

In the Second Chapter of his letter, James was continuing to provide guidance and leadership to those who believed in Jesus.  He was not addressing the sincerity of their faith in who the Lord Jesus was.  He was however instructing them of their obligation to “do good works” to demonstrate that their hearts had been changed (repentance), to make them more “Christ-like”. The noted Bible scholar Matthew Henry expressed the following in his “Commentary”:

 “This place of Scripture plainly shows that an opinion, or assent to the gospel, without works, is not faith. There is no way to show we really believe in Christ, but by being diligent in good works, from gospel motives, and for gospel purposes. Men may boast to others, and be conceited of that which they really have not. There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent; not only an assent to the truth of the word, but a consent to take Christ. True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart.” 

With this interpretation by Matthew Henry, and with the words expressing this sense of “obligation to do works” that James was presenting, there is total consistency with the mindset instilled in all Israelites under the Mosaic Law. Remember they were influenced not only by the Ten Commandments, but also the 613 laws, rules and regulations that governed their behavior towards God, and in the society at large. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_commandments) Their doctrine was based on what the Nation of Israel and the people should and should not “do”. “Works”.  For additional commentary on this topic, see: https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-James.html

Now I’d like to offer another perspective.

Remember, now in this current age under the Gospel of Grace, both Gentiles and Jews receive salvation through the single criterion of believing / having faith in what our Lord Jesus has accomplished for us through His suffering; shedding His blood and dying to atone for our sins; and His resurrection gaining victory over man’s enemy death.  He has done it all…for us.  There are no “works” required for our salvation…only faith / believing the scripture. (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4; Romans 10: 9-13)

As Christians, today we can rely on this break from the requirements stressed by James in his communications.  That does not mean that we should not perform “good works” after having received our salvation.  The difference is that now, through the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus, we have received the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That Spirit engages our internal soul/spirit to motivate us to perform “good works” voluntarily!  The scripture tells us that we will receive “rewards” for our “good works”, but we are not required to perform them. However, under either Gospel, voluntarily or as a requirement, “good works” will result in rewards from the Lord. (Matthew 16: 27; Luke 6: 27-35; Romans 4: 1-5; 1 Corinthians 3: 5-15; Colossians 3: 23-24)

It is true that after His Resurrection our Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and imparted the Holy Spirit. However that affected only those who were in His presence at the time. (John 20: 19-23) Further His action at that time was to specifically guide them towards their being able to remit the sins of others. The broader powers of the indwelling Holy Spirit were given to them at Pentecost (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2: 1-2), but their basic message was unchanged. They were still to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom consistent with the Mosaic Laws, as noted above.

Dr. W. A. (Bill) Robinson