November 3, 2024

James and Paul have slightly different ideas on the subject of works. Today, I will reconcile the two to help you understand that they are both right and do not differ but complement one another. It is relatively simple, but they seem to contradict one another on the subject of works. Here are the scriptures:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

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. James 2:18

You were not drawn to Jesus by anything you did. It was purely Jesus who drew you to himself. There is nothing you could have done that would have made you good enough. However, once he drew you to himself, you gained sufficient faith through the Holy Spirit to believe that he is the son of God and is God. Now that you were given the Holy Spirit, you are compelled to praise and worship him, which are forms of works. But it doesn’t stop there. Our hearts are so grateful for our salvation that we want to do more. Our minds, souls, and spirits work with the body to do physical things to draw others into the kingdom of God and help them recognize their need for Jesus. 

One example of which I’m very proud is my church, which quickly jumped in to help our community that was devastatedduring Hurricane Milton. Nearly everyone was without power and tired of eating hurricane snacks. So my church, which was also without power, got with a special member who owned a meat market; they and my pastor prepared a pulled pork lunch and, together with our membership, served a hot meal to anyone who wanted one. It was an overwhelming success. Not only did they have their needs met, but they could see God’s people acting in love and doing what God’s people should be doing. Faith and works reconciled!