Do Romans 4:5 & Ephesians 2:8-9 contradict James 2:17, 20, 22, 25 & 26 about the necessity of works for justification & salvation? (Continued)

Written by: Yeow Chin Kiong

Hebrews 10:1,4 tells us, “the law, having a shadow of the good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect ….. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

Galatians 3:10-14 teaches us that the works under the law of Moses place those subject to it under a “curse.” “… for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.’ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Yet, the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’ (Galatians 3:10-12). Only our Lord could,- and did,- obey the Law of Moses completely so that no sin was found in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). One violation of Moses’ Law was all that was required for a man under it to be guilty of violating the whole Law as it says in James 2:10 : “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Righteousness and justification from sin could never come from Moses’ Law (Galatians 2:15-16, 21) because it was never meant to do that and, besides, it is impossible to be perfectly kept by any mere mortal!

Third, the very opposite of works of human boasting and self-glory (which also characterised how many Jews of the early Christian years approached the works under Moses’ Law) are works of obedience to God’s commandments which were to be done in humility,- out of fear of God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) and without a thought of reward. As the prophet Samuel said to King Saul, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22). As Jesus Himself stated categofically, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).

The child of God will not expect favour or reward for doing works of obedience but can only say after doing God’s will, as Jesus instructs in Luke 17:10, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Note that our Lord here was responding to the apostles’ request, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5). Jesus’ answer (Luke 17:6-10) was to tell them that a little faith was all that was necessary for a disciple or servant to do the things commanded by his master as it was his DUTY to obey, without any desire for favour or reward. This is a clear explanation of what Paul meant by “OBEDIENCE to the FAITH” (Romans 1:5) and “… the commandment of the everlasting God, for OBEDIENCE to the FAITH” (Romans 16:26).

Romans 6:17-23 teaches us that sinners are “set free from sin” by “… obey(ing) from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” (Romans 6:17). Having been thus set free from sin, we,- in the end if we have “fruit to holiness,”- have eternal life as a “GIFT OF GOD” (Romans 6:22-23). Therefore, works of obedience required by God’s doctrine is necessary to receive what God gives as a “gift” by His grace in responnse to our faith. Such works of obedience “makes perfect” our faith (James 2:22) and are necessary to obtain God’s unmerited or unearned gift or favour of salvation and eternal life.

Titus 3:1-7 teaches that we are to “be subject to rulers and authorities, to OBEY, to be ready for every good WORK…” (Titus 3:1) but such works are not to be considered “… works of righteousness which we have done..” (Titus 3:5). Yet, such works result in our salvation “… according to His mercy (He saved us) through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:5) so that “having been justified by his grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7). Again such “WORKS” of obedience are necessary if we are to receive salvation and eternal life BY GOD’S GRACE.

Romans 2:4-11 instructs us that on the day of God’s judgment, He will “…render to each one according to his DEEDS. eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and DO NOT OBEY the truth, but OBEY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS,- indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish on ever soul of man who does evil … but glory, honour and peace to everyone who WORKS what is good…” (Romans 2:6-10). Again, the scriptures teach the necessity of good works if we are to receive God’s gifts by His grace. This is understandable because sin is defined by James 4:17 as not doing what we know to be good and James 2:17, 20, 22, 24, 26 teach that FAITH must be accompanied, expressed and evidenced by WORKS.

Also, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 reminds us of the necessity of being “… well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the THINGS DONE IN THE BODY according to what he has DONE, whether good or bad.”

To conclude, Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 are teaching about the fact the works under Moses’ Law and human works we sometimes boast about in self-glory, respectively, CANNOT justify a sinner nor save him from the consequences of his sins. These two passages DO NOT contradict James 2:17. 20, 22, 24, 26 which teach that works of a different kind, i.e. works of obedience to God’s will and commandments, MUST be done in obedience to Him if we are to be justified and saved.