Does Work Contradicts Faith?
Written by: Delbert Magusara Haim
March 1, 2013
I heard so many times in Christian argument about the distinctive principles of Work and Faith. Some say, we need to have faith alone in order to be saved from sins and work is unnecessary. But there are some groups also oppose in this idea and prove that without works faith is dead. These principles are truly written in the Bible, yet there are misunderstanding of applications in the part of the reader. Sometimes we need to remember that the word of God is perfect, complete, and purified seven times by the spirit. Therefore there is no contextual contradiction found in any statement written like these two passages quoted below.
Whether we like it or not both parties are Biblical but I tell you, there are many Bible Scholars so confused in this area of which to follow. And in order to solve this issue they tried to used the passage in 2 Timothy 2:15 to eliminate the non-applicable one.
And the result; many things were intentionally divided like as follows.
March 1, 2013
I heard so many times in Christian argument about the distinctive principles of Work and Faith. Some say, we need to have faith alone in order to be saved from sins and work is unnecessary. But there are some groups also oppose in this idea and prove that without works faith is dead. These principles are truly written in the Bible, yet there are misunderstanding of applications in the part of the reader. Sometimes we need to remember that the word of God is perfect, complete, and purified seven times by the spirit. Therefore there is no contextual contradiction found in any statement written like these two passages quoted below.
- 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.
- James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Whether we like it or not both parties are Biblical but I tell you, there are many Bible Scholars so confused in this area of which to follow. And in order to solve this issue they tried to used the passage in 2 Timothy 2:15 to eliminate the non-applicable one.
- 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And the result; many things were intentionally divided like as follows.
Subjects to divide1. The Writers
2. The Audiences 3. The Time 4. The Purpose 5. The Bible |
In EphesiansPaul is the apostle for the Gentiles
are members of the Church is applicable before the second coming of Christ to live in the heaven above Paul's writings are for the present people |
In James and James is the apostle for Jews
are members of the kingdom. is applicable after the second coming of Christ to live the kingdom on earth James' writings are for the future Jewish generation |
Base from this chart of division, therefore they chose Ephesians passage to be their principle in living life; through faith alone and no works involved. In the other sense, works cannot be used to judge a person if he has faith or not. So if they have faith and their body will do sin in the sight of men, still they are saved and righteous in the sight of God and so nobody's conscience can blame them.
Well, I respect what this group achieved in their study but I want you to compare what I have also learned.
When we talk about apostles, the writer of Ephesians named Paul was a newly chosen apostle of Christ after the ascension. But the same with James Paul was preaching both the Gentiles and Jews about the gospel of the kingdom and about Christ until he died. He preached the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles in Jerusalem and even in abroad. In fact, during the time of his imprisonment in Rome he just died preaching the Jews and Gentile people about the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ as it is written.
So it is ironic to say that we should divide the writer, minister, audiences, purpose, and the Bible just to support your selected doctrine. Perhaps your knowledge of RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORDS OF TRUTH is wrongly interpreted. Because, as far as my study is concerned, the rightly dividing of words is greatly implied to the words;
- spirit and flesh
- heavenly things and earthly things
- God's thought and human's thought
- carnal minds and spiritual mind
- invisible things and visible
- light and darkness
- clean and unclean
- righteousness and wickedness
- truth and lie
- man and God
These are the words of truth that the readers must divide. People should know which things is of God and which is of man because God have revealed the spiritual truth through the flesh.
Therefore, without the knowledge of right division we can never see the invisible things of God. For the full view this of topic "the rightly dividing" please read my separate article; http://delbertstudies.weebly.com/56-rightly-dividing.html. Here you will know that the right division did not subdivide the writer, audience, time, purpose, and above all the scriptures as per texts.
Now, if you think I have proven there is no division between Paul and James writings then I have to conclude that these two passages are both applicable in christian doctrine. But how is it done since its context seems contradicts to your thoughts?
Very simple, the "faith without works" is referring to the spiritual election. Believers are chosen among the people not according to their works but in accordance to God's will. Paul was one of the pioneering creature in this type of doctrine. He was chosen by Christ to become a servant regardless of who he was and what he did. As per record, Paul was one of the notorious man in the world, he did slaughter many Christians under the command of the High Priests in Israel. But God chose him and saved him from sins and become the apostle of Christ. God made Paul to be the pattern of Gentile people that knew not God in this world and alien of Israel. The concept here is God did choose Israel as His children by Abraham through the works in circumcision, whereas the Gentiles are chosen by grace through faith. Meaning to say, we Gentiles are chosen by grace or unconditionally elected. It is a free gift from the heaven that even though we knew nothing about heavenly existence we become his adopted sons and partaker of blessings as well with the nation Israel.
And concerning the "faith with works" doctrine, James says that without works faith is dead. Yes it is true, because all people who have faith in God will absolutely do good works and has a good desires. For it is impossible to anyone who has faith and yet there is no room in goodness neither can do good works at all times. The same with Paul he was then changed after he believe Christ and doing things in accordance with God. As it says in many passages;
When James says; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also, it is because there are fruits of faith and it will mortify the deeds of the body. All of who we are will be changed even the attitude and fashion because our mind is renewed day by day.
And what people may see to us is the fruits of faith which is the good works. Jesus has said;
Therefore, there is no contradiction or division between the writings of Paul and James, maybe it was you who misunderstood the words of God. So the same with Paul we are elected by grace without the credits of works and as James say; we are then living with good works as the fruits of our salvation. As if you are saved because of his words then you can do good otherwise you will perish.
Well, I respect what this group achieved in their study but I want you to compare what I have also learned.
When we talk about apostles, the writer of Ephesians named Paul was a newly chosen apostle of Christ after the ascension. But the same with James Paul was preaching both the Gentiles and Jews about the gospel of the kingdom and about Christ until he died. He preached the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles in Jerusalem and even in abroad. In fact, during the time of his imprisonment in Rome he just died preaching the Jews and Gentile people about the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ as it is written.
- Act 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
So it is ironic to say that we should divide the writer, minister, audiences, purpose, and the Bible just to support your selected doctrine. Perhaps your knowledge of RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORDS OF TRUTH is wrongly interpreted. Because, as far as my study is concerned, the rightly dividing of words is greatly implied to the words;
- spirit and flesh
- heavenly things and earthly things
- God's thought and human's thought
- carnal minds and spiritual mind
- invisible things and visible
- light and darkness
- clean and unclean
- righteousness and wickedness
- truth and lie
- man and God
These are the words of truth that the readers must divide. People should know which things is of God and which is of man because God have revealed the spiritual truth through the flesh.
- Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Therefore, without the knowledge of right division we can never see the invisible things of God. For the full view this of topic "the rightly dividing" please read my separate article; http://delbertstudies.weebly.com/56-rightly-dividing.html. Here you will know that the right division did not subdivide the writer, audience, time, purpose, and above all the scriptures as per texts.
Now, if you think I have proven there is no division between Paul and James writings then I have to conclude that these two passages are both applicable in christian doctrine. But how is it done since its context seems contradicts to your thoughts?
Very simple, the "faith without works" is referring to the spiritual election. Believers are chosen among the people not according to their works but in accordance to God's will. Paul was one of the pioneering creature in this type of doctrine. He was chosen by Christ to become a servant regardless of who he was and what he did. As per record, Paul was one of the notorious man in the world, he did slaughter many Christians under the command of the High Priests in Israel. But God chose him and saved him from sins and become the apostle of Christ. God made Paul to be the pattern of Gentile people that knew not God in this world and alien of Israel. The concept here is God did choose Israel as His children by Abraham through the works in circumcision, whereas the Gentiles are chosen by grace through faith. Meaning to say, we Gentiles are chosen by grace or unconditionally elected. It is a free gift from the heaven that even though we knew nothing about heavenly existence we become his adopted sons and partaker of blessings as well with the nation Israel.
And concerning the "faith with works" doctrine, James says that without works faith is dead. Yes it is true, because all people who have faith in God will absolutely do good works and has a good desires. For it is impossible to anyone who has faith and yet there is no room in goodness neither can do good works at all times. The same with Paul he was then changed after he believe Christ and doing things in accordance with God. As it says in many passages;
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
When James says; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also, it is because there are fruits of faith and it will mortify the deeds of the body. All of who we are will be changed even the attitude and fashion because our mind is renewed day by day.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
And what people may see to us is the fruits of faith which is the good works. Jesus has said;
- Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.Matthew 7:20
Therefore, there is no contradiction or division between the writings of Paul and James, maybe it was you who misunderstood the words of God. So the same with Paul we are elected by grace without the credits of works and as James say; we are then living with good works as the fruits of our salvation. As if you are saved because of his words then you can do good otherwise you will perish.
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