Jesus v Paul (part 2 of 2) Faith v works
The 2nd argument against Paul is that Paul preached a workless salvation. This argument has led many to reject Paul’s teachings as it is claimed they go against the teachings of Jesus and the rest of the Bible. There are others who go the complete opposite and have totally embraced the teachings of Paul and use them to prove that a person does not require any works at all and that all a person has to do is believe in Jesus and they will be saved. “It’s a once in a lifetime deal”. A person is saved by faith alone. It is this understanding of Paul’s writings that has also given birth to the OSAS doctrine .
2 Arguments
There are basically 2 arguments against a faith only teaching that Paul would seem to advocate
- It goes against the teachings of Jesus
- James in his letter offers a rebuttal to Paul and claims faith without works is dead.
Using these 2 arguments means that Paul’s writings create a contradiction in scripture. God’s word cannot contradict itself so either Paul’s writings should be totally rejected and not be included as scripture or there is a misunderstanding, misinterpretation of Paul’s writings or the teachings of Jesus and James.
As we know from part 1 Paul wrote 13/14 books of the NT. Again it must be reiterated that to reject Paul is to reject around 50% of the NT itself. It throws scripture into doubt. And I again state, those that reject Paul’s writings have a very different Bible than the one I use.
So is that really what Paul stated? Did Paul really mean that it does not matter if a person has works or not? That a person is saved regardless of what they do, how they live their life, all they have to do is believe in Jesus and that’s enough. Should Paul’s writings regarding justification be rejected or elevated by so many in the way that they have been?
Let’s have a look at the verses in question.
Romans 3-28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3-20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Galatians 2-16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Acts 13-39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
The Greek for justified is δικαιόω dikaioó and means to be made righteous (innocence)
The first thing that we need to understand is that the Bible very clearly explains there are different works including works of the law and works of faith and we must understand which works are being referenced at any time.
Notice that in all of these verses Paul makes a very clear contrast between being justified by faith and being justified by the works of the law.
The Jewish people believed that righteousness came from following the law of Moses.
Here Paul is clearly saying that justification comes NOT by the works of the law but rather by faith. A person is not justified by following the law of Moses but by the faith OF Jesus. It is actually HIS faith that justifies us, it is the faith OF Jesus that allows a person to be justified through our belief that Jesus is the son of God, that he died and was risen on the 3rd day.
1 Corinthians 15- 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
Paul states that if a person could be made righteous by the law then Christ need not have died.
Galatians 2-21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Jesus himself said that a person’s righteousness should be beyond any pharisee and that a person should be perfect.
Matthew 5-20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus highlighted just how hard the law was when he showed the … that even when they thought that they were keeping the law that they in fact they probably were not.
Matthew 5-27 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
This was understood to be literal physical adultery. But Jesus explains that the command went far beyond the physical.
Matthew 5-28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew 5-48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
We cannot be justified by following the law. Only Jesus was perfect. We are made perfect through him.
Hebrews 10- 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Even Moses after leading the Israelites through the desert for 40 years, speaking with God, trusting God, believing God was unable to enter into the promised land because of just ONE action.
Numbers 20-12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Notice this was about FAITH . It was faith not the works that were required to enter the promised land.
John in his gospel says that the law given by Moses BUT and there is a BUT, GRACE and truth came by Jesus
but1
bʌt,bət/
conjunction
- 1.
- used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
- “he stumbled but didn’t fall”
John 1-17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John very clearly contrasts the law with grace. John therefore supports there being a difference between the law and Grace.
We have seen in part one how the law came to an end through Jesus’ fulfillment of the law.
But Paul also does state that a person is not saved by works and and does not include a reference to the law
Ephesians 2- 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Paul is VERY clearly stating that it is NOT of any kind of works by which a person is saved.
Paul is ONLY referring to how person is saved. Unless a person has faith no amount of works will save him. It is by the grace of God and NOTHING to do with how many works a person has.
This verse has nothing whatsoever to say regarding works after a person has come to faith, which we will deal with a bit later.
This faith in the son, Jesus, is stated by Jesus himself
John 3-36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
And is reiterated numerous times by the apostle John.
1 John 5-10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1 John 3-10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1 John 3-15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 2-9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 John 4-20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
John was very clear that a person required faith in Jesus and without faith a person does not have eternal life. Notice there is no mention of works of the law or good works.
Paul v James
So what about James? Did James offer a rebuttal to Paul in his letter as many people claim?
James 2-14 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.
18Yea, 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. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
In this letter James states 3 times that faith without works is dead.
James 2-17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2-20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2-26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So does this prove that James was in fact correcting Paul?
An important fact most often overlooked by those that believe James was correcting Paul is that James in his letter is specifically addressing the Jews and NOT Gentiles. He is not talking to gentile believers but to Israel.
James 1-1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James telling the JEWS that faith without works are dead.
However James is neither referring to works of the law or good works.
So let’s look at what works James is actually referring to.
In verse 21 James says that Abraham was justified by works. He refers to Abraham as OUR FATHER. Further reiterating that James is addressing Jews.
James 2-21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
This could NOT have been works of the law. Abraham was not under the law. The law as we have already seen came by Moses.
1 John 1-17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
This also could not be GOOD works as there are no good works in reference anywhere in this passage.
The work that James is referring to was, as James stated himself, when Abraham offered up Isaac his son on the altar. THIS was the work.
This was a work of FAITH not the law or works of Good deeds.
Hebrews 11-17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Abraham was given the promises, although he did not receive the promises made by God personally but by faith he did see the promises. Jesus is the fulfillment of those promises therefore Abraham “saw” the day of Jesus, the day Jesus would set up his kingdom.
Just as Jesus stated
John 8-56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Abraham saw the day of the kingdom in faith not literally.
Paul states that IF Abraham was justified by works it was NOT justification before God
Romans 4-2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Again Paul says in Romans 3-20 that nobody will be justified in HIS sight
Romans 3-20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
In HIS sight referring to God as verse 19 shows
Romans 3-19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
In verse 22 James says that faith worked together with Abrahams works and by this his faith was made perfect
James 2- 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
It was the works of his faith.
Then James says that by this (the works of faith) is HOW (in which way) a man is justified by works and not by faith only.
James 2-24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
A man is Justified before God by faith, he is also justified by his works but NOT before God
Abraham was made righteous by faith by believing God.
Matthew 6-3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Abraham believed God when God told him that from his seed there would be numbers too great to count
Genesis 15- 2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And it was this FAITH that was counted as righteousness.
Genesis 15- 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness
So if Abraham was justified by his faith before God but his works did not justify him before God but they did justify him,so then who was he justified before by his works?
Simple answer is man.
If we look back at the story of Moses again we will see that his lack of faith failed to sanctify God in the eyes of MAN, the eyes of the children of Israel.
Numbers 20-12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Abrahams works of faith demonstrated his faith and therefore sanctified God.
A person’s works of faith should bring glory to God.
Jesus himself talks about being justified in the eyes of man only.
Luke 16- 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Jesus talks about the hypocrites that do their work in front of men ..they have received their reward.
Matthew 6- 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6- 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Men cannot see your faith they can only see your works of faith. Your works should glorify God.
Abraham’s works were justification in the eyes of men for men to see his faith. The faith by which he was already Justified by in the eyes of God.
Righteousness was imputed upon Abraham long BEFORE the work of his faith in his offering of Isaac. It was counted upon him while he was yet in UNCIRCUMCISION
Romans 4-6 Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised
The circumcision was the SEAL of the faith.
Romans 4-11 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
So the works that James was referring to were the works of faith that a person had through the faith in God that they had.
Jesus stated that the works of his father were to believe in him.
John 6-29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Mark 16- 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Jesus is the ONLY way to the father. Jesus stated that he was the way, the truth and the life
John 14-6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
So Jesus is the truth.
Jesus stated that the truth shall set you free
John 8-32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Now if we look in more detail at this statement we will see Jesus was talking to Jews
About himself.
John 8- 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Jesus is the TRUTH and those that know him are free indeed, they are not under the bondage of the law.
So the Jews who have faith in God but do not accept his son, their faith is dead having not believed in the son and so not doing the works of their faith, the works of the father. They have faith but not works and so their faith is dead. It cannot save them.
1 John 2-23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 john 5-12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
John 8–42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Those that have faith in God but do not have his works of faith, belief in the son, that Jesus died, was buried for 3 days and that God did raise Jesus from the dead that faith is dead and will not as James says save him.
James 2- 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James is not correcting Paul rather he is actually preaching the SAME message as Paul but unto the Jews that their FAITH in God is dead without the works of believing in Jesus.
Good Works
But what about good works? Are they required?
Good works do NOT save anyone. As we have seen it is ONLY by faith in Jesus that a person can be saved. NO amount of good works can save someone if they do not have faith in Jesus.
However this does NOT mean like so many who have rejected or fully embraced Paul that if a person has nowoks that they are saved? ….But isn’t that a contradiction? Well ONLY if you believe in the OSAS doctrine which is simply unbiblical. ( I will do a writing disproving this dangerous doctrine)
Jesus very clearly taught that a person should have good works. In fact Jesus said our good works should be seen as to glorify God.
Matthew 5- 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus ALSO said If you love me follow my commandments (why some people think they don’t have to do this is beyond me)
John 14-15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And we saw in part 1 that the commandments of Jesus were to love God and love our neighbour
If we believe in him then we will keep his commandments we will love God and love our neighbour or we do not have Jesus
1 John 2-4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
As we saw Jesus is the truth. If you do NOT keep the commandments of Jesus then you do NOT have his spirit in you it is THAT simple….. You can claim you do all you want, but if you do not follow his commands to love God (i’ve shown in another writing to love God is to love his son) and to love your neighbour then either you area lair of Jesus is….guess who the liar is . No matter how much people want to fall back on Paul and say he taught that works did not justify a person the fact is Paul never said that a person who was justified would not have works. Paul said that it wasn’t the works that justified that person. A person is justified by faith but faith brings about works or better put FRUIT of the spirit.
Fruit of the spirit
Paul far from what many people think, himself taught the fruit of the spirit and told us what that fruit was.
Galatians 5- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 5:9 – (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Jesus explained what it meant to love thy neighbour. Loving thy neighbour is giving them the things which they need. SHOWING God to them through your works.
Matthew 25- 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
James explained that if a person does not help those that are in need, they dont produce fruit then their faith does not have works,
James 2- 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.
The works being the belief in Jesus that causes a person to follow Jesus and keep his commands. His commands being to love our neighbour. If you are not following that command which brings forth the fruit then you will be cut of and your faith, having not the works which is the true belief in Jesus which leads to fruit, is dead.
Belief in God is not good enough. Even the devils do that.
James 2- 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Also simply declaring your own faith does not benefit the person you are declaring it to. You require works that come from your faith that people can see your faith which glorifies God..
James 2- 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.
You cannot show your faith without works of faith. You can only state your faith. In order to help someone in need, it is pointless telling them about God. You need to show them God through your works in order to glorify God.
Jesus taught that those that were in him had to produce fruit and those that did not would be cut off.
Matthew 7- 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Jesus very clearly states that the branches that are IN HIM that do not bring fruit will be taken away.
John 15- 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
This plainly shows that those that are IN him will be cut off. People who have Jesus already or otherwise they would not be in him are taken away if they do not produce fruit.
Again PAUL states this same thing
Romans 11-21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Many who advocate the OSAS doctrine claim that those “christians” who fall away were never really christians. Jesus would seem to think they were.
Jesus continued
john 15-Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
The fruit is to glorify God.
John 15-7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
But Jesus states we must CONTINUE in his love by keeping the commandments
John 15- 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
If a person must continue then they clearly have already started.
Paul in NO way contradicts Jesus and James through his teaching to the Jews actually teaches the same as Paul.
Paul although teaching that justification is the gift of God and cannot be earned did NOT teach that once a person has been saved by faith that that person could live as they pleased and still remain saved.
When the teachings are understood Paul perfectly lines up with the rest of scripture because Paul was inspired by God. Paul belongs in the Bible and his writings harmonize with the teachings of Jesus and the other apostles.