Justification by Works

Justification by Works?

In James Chapter 2:21-24 James says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (NASB95)

This is a hard passage of scripture for many. In fact, the book of James was so hard for Martin Luther that he questioned its inclusion in scripture. It appears to many that James disagrees with the rest of the New Testament where we are told unequivocally that we are justified by faith. Perhaps the best-known example is Ephesians 2:8-9 where we read that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (NASB95)

Nevertheless, James seems clear about justification by works, and in fact, he actually uses those words, and that makes this a difficult passage to understand.

How can both of these things be true?

When we think about righteousness by works, we think about a lifetime of good living. The religions of the world tell us that it is a morally upright life, or doing things for God, that will ensure our entry into heaven. Here in the United States, we may think about being in church, about ministering to people, or about foreign missions. All of these works, these things that we do, somehow make us feel as though we are doing what God wants.

But that's not what James is talking about at all. James says that Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son on the altar. Abraham only did that one time, and James claims that justifies him by his works. Knowing that God is not looking for people to offer their children as sacrifices, we can be sure that this action is not what saved Abraham.

The very next thing James says gives us some clarity. He says, “you see, that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.”

The word rendered “perfected” here is τελειόω (teleioō). It means, accomplished, fulfilled, finished, completed, perfected.

James is saying that there was a response to the faith that Abraham had in God. Abraham believed God, and that caused a response in him. It was not that the response made the belief happen, it was that the belief made the response happen. It works that way with us too.

Where we read in scripture that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, it does not say whoever sacrifices their son. It does not say, whoever shows up in church every time the doors are open. It does not say whoever supports world missions. It says whoever believes.

When a person believes truly in their heart, they begin acting out of that belief, because that is what they believe. We see it all the time. People who believe that they are worthless act like they have no value. People who believe they are Christians and that the spirit of Christ, lives in them act as though the spirit of Christ lived in them and they love people.

And so, this action, this work, this one thing that Abraham did, demonstrates his belief, and that is what James is saying. James could have chosen to highlight Abraham having left his homeland when he was told by God to go to a place he didn’t know about, but by the inspiration of the Spirit, he chose this event instead.

James tells us that by works faith is made complete. In other words, by works we know for sure Abraham believed it because he acted on it.

This does not mean that we can go around using the behavior of others as a litmus test of their faith. We cannot judge the heart of anyone. Only God can do that. It simply explains two things.

First, it explains why, as a believer, you want to live an upright and godly life. Second, it explains why it is important for us as believers to live upright and godly lives. It is important because all the world can see is our actions and attitudes. That is the only way they will see that there is something different about us.

Think of it this way, if all we knew of Abraham was that to save his own skin, he lied to two powerful men about his wife, and that when God gave him a promise, he decided that an adulterous relationship with his servant girl was warranted, we would have very little reason to suspect that he was a righteous friend of God.

Another example is Rahab. In Hebrews 11:31 we’re told that, “By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.” (NASB 2020)

Rahab acted on what she believed to be true of the God of the Hebrews. Her faith that He was and that He was a rewarder of those who trusted Him was so strong that she hid His people from her own people.

Joshua 2:3–6 relates a pertinent part of the story. “And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to spy out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. It came about, when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof.” (NASB 2020)

Scripture relates these details so that we cannot imagine that her acceptance by God is related to her actions. In fact, her faith was demonstrated in part through the commission of the sin of lying. In relating her lie, scripture is not teaching a doctrine that sinful behavior is acceptable as long as it is an expression of faith. This isn’t an example of “the end justifies the means.” Rather, it is demonstrating in the clearest possible terms that it is not our behavior that results in righteousness and acceptance by God.