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By what are we saved? Is it faith or works? For centuries, this debate has echoed through the halls of the church, with many followers of Jesus Christ landing all across the spectrum. Is the reality of this question too deep for simple believers to understand? Can something that has split denominations, torn apart congregations, and separated believers for thousands of years not be resolved? Could Scripture not provide a clear and concise answer to this question for the millions of believers who seek to worship God every day?

The answer is assuredly, YES! The Scriptures are incredibly clear on this issue, and the context surrounding this apparent contradiction shows the answer to be readily available. The fact is, both Paul and James, whose writings unwittingly put these two saints at the center of this controversy, based their theology on the same account of faith. Both understood that faith and good works play an integral part in the salvation and sanctification of the believer on this side of heaven, and both left clear evidence in their writings that they were in full agreement. The result is a beautiful and robust view of the salvation and sanctification process that God brings His children through.

With faith as the active movement of the heart and works as the evidence of the seal of the Holy Spirit, it is clearly seen from the Scriptures that no contradiction existed between these two men. Follow along with us as we dive into the context surrounding this supposed disagreement to gain a more complete understanding of the intense complexity of God’s salvation and sanctification plan for His children.

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Is it possible to believe in God, even acknowledge Jesus Christ, and not be saved? If faith in God is what is required for salvation, then shouldn’t everyone who professes belief in God and Jesus be saved?

This position is the prevalent belief of much of the modern church; however, the Scriptures do not agree with this simplified version of what much of the modern church dubs as “saving faith.” Jesus even said these words during his ministry: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

So, it should be no surprise that James offers a similar take on faith, pointing out that there are two kinds of faith: godly faith, which leads to eternal life, and demonic faith, which leads to eternal death. The implications of such teachings, which are found throughout the Scriptures, are stark and demand attention from all. Their teaching is clear: intellectual knowledge, admission of existence, and cerebral assent do not comprise saving faith. Only heart-centered belief from a broken and contrite spirit, mixed with repentance of sin, resulting in a life-altering commitment to the service and obedience of God, can bring salvation to the lost soul.

Introspection and self-evaluation in light of these difficult passages of Scripture are essential for every person who claims to be a Christ-follower. Where is the locus of your faith? In the heart, or in the mind? “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19)

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The law of God has been the subject of much debate since the very beginning of the church. In fact, the discussion, disagreement, and even battles fought by Christ-followers over the place of the Old Testament law within Christianity caused multiple New Testament writers to address the issue.

James does not shy away from the debate in the least! Rather, he offers one of the most beautiful explanations of how God’s Old Testament law fits into Christianity. His writing, far from contradicting his contemporary, the Apostle Paul, speaks in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures in affirming the existence of two laws: the law of God and the law of Jesus Christ.

Together, the writers of the New Testament confirm the truth that Jesus came to fulfill God’s law, freeing humanity from the condemnation and death it brought. However, this did not void the law; rather, it fulfilled it. In its place, James teaches his readers that Jesus gave a new law, one James called “the law of liberty.” This law binds Christ-followers to obedience through the work of Jesus Christ on their behalf, teaching them that they have been made alive and free to live lives that bring glory and honor to God and Jesus Christ through genuine obedience to God, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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What is the measure of the condition of a man's heart before God? James argues that it is the condition of a man's mouth!

While this might seem like an odd take by James, his teaching is solidly grounded in the Scriptures. One does not need to look further than the great proclamation by the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament when he cried out, "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!'"

Interestingly enough, it is the defilement of his lips that concerned Isaiah. He understood that, of everything, his mouth was the hardest part to control and bore a great responsibility for the sin in his life.

James would echo this sentiment hundreds of years later when he penned his letter to the churches.

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“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” This simple message was the call of Jesus as He preached during His ministry. The evidence of this is clearly seen in the New Testament writings of His disciples. James echoes this message clearly in this verse, calling on believers to repent, which literally means to turn around, change your ways, and go in the opposite direction.

James’ instruction to believers to “put away” sin shows that repentance is a continual action for the believer. Despite being Christ-followers and being indwelt with the Holy Spirit, residence in this fallen world necessitates repentance. Believers must continually repent of the “sin which so easily besets us” and purposefully follow Christ in obedience.

James knew there was only one way to be obedient. Believers must receive the implanted Word. It is the Word that reveals God, the Word that guides believers, the Word that shows humanity the will of God for their lives. Without the indwelling of the Word, there can be no conviction of sin, no dispensing of godly wisdom, and no hope of salvation.

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“God is not merely good, but goodness; goodness is not merely divine, but God.” - C.S. Lewis

James wanted his readers to understand that everything good in their lives came from God. It could not have come from anywhere else because nothing and no one else is good. God is more than just the author of that which is good, He is its essence because He is goodness itself.

The believer's circumstances do not affect, dictate, or impact the goodness of God. He is good, and all the good things in the believer’s life come from Him even in the midst of the darkest trial. As the Psalmist said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

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Steadfast:

1

a: firmly fixed in place : immovable

b: not subject to change

2

a: firm in belief, determination, or adherence

Despite the fact that his audience is undergoing trial and persecution, James does not send an empathetic letter of commiseration. Quite the contrary, James exhorts his audience to be steadfast in the face of persecution! Was he unfeeling or uncaring about the very real plight of his audience? Not at all! Rather, he understood what was at stake.

When compared together, James fully understood that the eternal good of his brothers and sisters in Christ was infinitely more important than their comfort or ease in this life. It is because of this understanding that he challenged them to stand firm, be strong, and endure to the end. His approach flies in the face of human conventions. Closer inspection of his words, however, shows that he chose love over empathy, the eternal over the temporary, and ultimate good over temporary comfort.

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You remember it like it happened yesterday: the whirlwind ministry of your half-brother, Jesus. His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Then the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, and you witnessed the birth and growth of the fledgling church. That wasn’t very long ago. Your journey has been no less incredible; from doubter to believer, you were called to lead the Jerusalem Church.

Then the persecution came. Your church family was arrested, imprisoned, killed, or driven out of their homes. How can you encourage them? What can you say to them? How can you keep them focused on living for their Lord and Savior?

It is impossible to know every thought that coursed through the mind of James as he penned his letter to his brothers and sisters in the Christian faith undergoing persecution and hardship. However, his incredible letter to the church has given encouragement and guidance to hundreds of millions of Christians throughout the years.

Through this Holy Spirit-inspired letter, we catch a glimpse of James’ heart for persecuted believers. The letter has also given believers a roadmap to righteous living for the past 20 centuries. The words of James are brief, strong, and sometimes downright sharp, but the love driving this incredible pastor is plainly evident through his deep concern for the eternal state of his audience.

For the next few months, we are going to take a journey through this amazing letter. We invite you to join us and be blessed by the words of this incredible pastor of the early church, a man who was brutally martyred for his faith in Jesus: none other than the Lord’s half-brother, James.

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