How Christians both ‘don’t’ and ‘do’ have to do ‘works’
The subject of “works” has been a confusing and fought-over subject since before Martin Luther offered his doctor’s cap for whoever could reconcile Romans 3:28 and James 2:24.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. – Romans 3:28
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. – James 2:24
Light Shed
We can know for our whole lives that we are on the right side of God, but it helps to know what this Christian life is really all about (not a self-focused insurance policy).
Put as simply as possible: Salvation is an obedient love-faith relationship.
What stumbles fleshly minds is the question of “works.” False teachings abound on this subject.
In short, God does expect something from us and it’s supposed to play out like this: We (old man in Adam, crucified with Christ) are not required to do works, but we (new man in Christ) are expected by God to do works, and we shall be judged for them. The Scriptures say this!
As explained by Paul (Gal. 2:20, Rom. 8, etc.), the works we do are done in Christ by His enabling, empowering, guiding Holy Spirit. Grace is more than a simplistic “unmerited favor” and blanket amnesty. It is also the means of empowerment whereby we as those alive from the dead (Rom 6:11-14, etc.) learn to live lives pleasing to God (2 Cor. 5:9). This is the other aspect of grace!
1 Cor. 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Works done in us are not works to be done by the “old man” to “earn” salvation.
“Works” (done by God through us) are however required!
This is a mark of true faith and obedience, and Colossians 2:6 says “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” which speaks of that continued obedient, persevering walk in love, in God’s Spirit.
Unfortunately for Martin Luther who also tripped over this idea (and set the tone for generations after him to be equally confused), the Epistle of James does NOT so clearly spell this out.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26
Luther stumbled over this, and thought it was a direct contradiction of what Paul taught of justification by faith (and Luther added “alone.”)
As with many issues of confusion, there is misunderstood truth on both sides.
Salvation is by faith. A person is required to do nothing but believe, and he (Old Man in Adam/flesh) is then counted as crucified (Rom. 6, Gal. 2:20) and out of the picture in the Christian life.
This said, the New Man (in Christ/spirit) walks on the ground of Christ’s resurrection, and all of his works are done “in Christ” by faith.
The Christian is called to live (and act and do) by faith.
Put bluntly for emphasis: We are called to do works, but we (alone) are not the ones doing it. It is to be God working through us – the “new” us, not the “old” us. That is, the “new creation” with power and guidance from God does foreordained works (Eph. 2:10); it is not the “old creation” called to do anything (like an Old Testament Jew trying to work for God’s favor without the indwelling Holy Spirit).
The “old man” is crucified; judged, and buried through baptism. (Rom. 6). So, there’s no contradiction even if it could seem like it: “We” (old man in Adam) are not required to do works, but “we” (new man in Christ) are called to do works! Thank God even then it won’t be “us” (independently) even doing them, but God by His grace wants us to be in position and meet the heart conditions to do them in Christ. (2 Cor. 3:5, Phil. 2:13)
But here is the kicker: none of this automatic. The Bible says it is possible for Christians to either walk “according to the spirit,” or to walk according to the flesh.
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
So, walking in the Spirit, as the “new man” in Christ is a choice and a learned practice that God must lead you to truly know.
Our responsibility is to believe and obey and be vessels of honor through whom God may work. We are called to be in such a place in this relationship through our spirit so as to be usable by God, and this is grace in action.
Rom 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Col: 1:24-29 – I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Note Paul says the mystery of the revealed gospel is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” That speaks of spiritual indwelling and empowerment to those who obey!
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,” said Paul.
And, he added, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
Hallelujah! Thank God for the full meaning of “grace.”
So again: grace is not just “unmerited favor.” Grace is also the gift God gives us to be empowered by Him to do all He requires! He’s the Lord, and Peter called himself a “bond slave.”
Under this true biblical paradigm, God will get all the glory! On the day of judgment, those who meet these conditions will be only able to say, “I couldn’t have done it without You.”
Rev. 4:10,11 – the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Note: The elders cast their crowns before God because without His direct empowerment and guidance in their lives on earth, they never would have received crowns!
So what was James trying to say that Luther could not reconcile?
James was speaking of the past faith that did save you – he would have agreed with Paul on that – but he was saying faith that does not produce works is dead. Works are a fruit of faith, but the Scriptures say we are required to bear fruit, thus works.
How you parse this can lead to heated debates, but as Christian History For Everyman points out, the Apostle Paul who spoke of “justification by faith” also spoke of works as what we’d be judged by.
With reference to salvation in the future tense, Paul consistently speaks of works.
For this you know: that no fornicator, unclean person, or covetous man has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. 5:5
The word “works” is not stated, but the context is clear the conduct of the person is to be measured determining whether a man has an inheritance in the kingdom of God. There is no “by faith alone” here as emphasized in the wrong spirit by Luther and other verses say the same.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. – 2. Cor. 5:10
[God] will repay every man according to his works. To those who seek after glory, honor, and immortality by patiently continuing to do good, [he will repay] eternal life. – Rom 2:6,7
He that sows to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life from the Spirit. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap [eternal life], if we do not faint. – Gal 6:8-9
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Cor. 9:27
Note the great apostle says after he preached to others, if he lapsed, he could be a “castaway.”
In the future tense, Paul always refers to the life of Christ working in us — by the Spirit and by grace — and he always refers to works as required.
The apostle also speaks of consequences of not doing right. Paul is absolutely consistent on the life of faith for a Christian requiring works, and the Word of God gives many more Scriptures besides exhorting, encouraging – and warning – God’s people to obey and do His will.
Christians are not exempt from judgment for their actions. Christ’s “life” is to enable us to do well. Yes we have grace to find our way, and catch us if we fall, provide forgiveness when we repent, but if we willfully and persistently sin or utterly abandon godly pursuits and life, then what?
No where does it say we may deliberately and continually sin, live as to ourselves, and we are instead called to seek the fullness of God’s Spirit to live this life.
