James 2:26 states, “For just as the body without the Spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.“ (Some translations substitute deeds instead of works.) The problem is both terms make it sound like we have to do things to earn our justification. But Paul emphasized what Jesus accomplished on the cross is enough. Therefore, I’m convinced the only things Christians can contribute to their ongoing salvation is obedience and heartfelt worship.
To say James opened up a can of theological worms is putting it mildly. The resulting contrary implications have caused churches to literally split apart with each side adamantly defending their particular doctrinal interpretation. Me? I’m with the Reformers on this one.
Calvin wrote, “As soon as justification by faith or works becomes the subject of inquiry, some have immediate recourse to passages which seem to attribute to works some degree of merit in the sight of God; as though justification by works would be fully evinced if they could be proved to be of any value before God. Yet it’s already been clearly demonstrated that the righteousness of works consists only in a perfect observance of the law.” Perfect observance? That’s impossible to achieve.
Augustine clarified, “Let human merit, which was lost by Adam, here be silent, and let the grace of God reign through Jesus Christ. When a man sees that whatever good he has, he has it not from himself, but from his God. He sees that all that’s commended in him proceeds not from his own merits, but from the Divine mercy.” Chrysostom once humorously quipped, “It’s sufficiently meritorious to know that merits are insufficient.”
This is not to imply Christians aren’t to do good deeds. “We mustn’t grow weary in doing good, for in due time we’ll reap if we don’t give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith“ (Galatians 6:9-10). Scripture states our Savior “went around doing good“ (Acts 10:38). Thus, we should strive to do likewise.
God desires that we utilize the talents He bestowed upon us. “We have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it’s service, he must serve; if it’s teaching, he must teach; if it’s exhortation, he must exhort; if it’s contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it’s leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it’s showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness“ (Romans 12:6-8).
Bear in mind we can’t all be Spurgeons or Mother Teresas, but that shouldn’t discourage us from exploiting our unique spiritual gift to the fullest extent. Paul wasn’t a great orator, nor was he charismatic or handsome, but what he wrote in his letters is the work of a genuine literary genius. Still, he always attributed his abilities and inspiration not to himself, but to the Spirit of Christ that lived within him.
He knew, as should every believer, that apart from Jesus “we can do nothing“ (John 15:5); that God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world“ (Ephesians 1:4); that He “delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son He loves“ (Colossians 1:13) who’s “given us the right to become God’s children“ (John 1:12) and who’s promised us not only “eternal life“ but that we’ll “never perish“ because “no one will snatch them from my hand“ (John 10:28).
Yet billions of unbelievers are positive they’ll stroll into heaven when they die because they’ve led such kind, generous and compassionate lives. They’ve done lots of “good works” they’re convinced will surely merit God’s favor. Sadly, they’re fooling themselves. Calvin wrote, “I don’t know what good works of morality have been invented to render men acceptable to God before they’re grafted into Christ. As though the Scripture was false in asserting that ‘he who hasn’t the Son of God has not life‘ (1 John 5:12).”
He added, “If they’re destitute of life, how could they generate any cause of life? As though there’s no truth in the declaration that ‘whatsoever is not of faith is sin!‘ (Romans 14:23); as though an evil tree could produce good fruits!” What many fail to recognize in the “deed verses” of James chapter 2 is the fundamental truth that anything we do that isn’t the resulting product of becoming “born from above“ (John 3:3) doesn’t impress God in the least.
As quoted earlier, the Bible proclaims Jesus “went around doing good.” For a long time, though, I was baffled by the way our Lord answered the rich young ruler who asked Him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?“ Jesus responded with, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone“ (Luke 18:18-19). It kind of sounds like Christ was denying His unblemished goodness. And if His works weren’t good, how can ours ever be considered worthy of our calling to be His obedient, diligent and grateful slaves?
Many explanations have been offered over the centuries but the one that makes the most sense to me is that Jesus was gently informing the man (whom He knew was overly proud of his own “religiosity”) that he was oblivious to the fact he was addressing not just some “good teacher” but the holy and righteous God of the universe. And, because Christ’s “time had not yet come“ (John 7:6), He intentionally avoided revealing His Divinity publicly and further stirring up the animosity of the Sanhedrin.
Dallas Willard wrote, “If our lives and works are to be of the kingdom of God, we mustn’t have human approval as a primary aim. We must lovingly allow people to think whatever they will. We may occasionally try to help them appreciate what we’re doing. That could be an act of love. But we can only serve them by serving the Lord only.”
Even Christians Get the Blues 