I used to have a little anxiety after reading James’ narrative about faith and works. He doesn’t pull any punches. “Faith without works is dead,” he says starkly. “Be doers of the word, not just hearers.” He goes even further and cites how Abraham was justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the alter.
Now I’m even more perplexed. Justified by works? I never saw that one coming. Doesn’t that fly in the face of everything we have had drilled into us? Doesn’t Ephesians tell us we are saved by grace, not of works, lest any should boast. Which is it? Faith or works? Can’t we ever get it straight?
I immediately start to look at myself and question if I have either. Do I have enough faith? Am I doing enough? I start looking for results and begin to tally up what I have. I compare them to the great works of others. Do mine make the grade? I sink into despair as the evil of uncertainty creeps into my soul.
What is the answer? These two things are seemingly contradictory, but we know that cannot be. They must be one. The word of God has to be seamless or it is not true.
One thing for sure, focusing on results is a slippery slope. Even Jesus said things that were seemingly contradictory. Do you remember what he said in Matthew 25 to the righteous?
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
And their surprised response?
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?’
What is this? You didn’t know, you righteous person? How did that happen? Were your works so unnoticed that no one counted them for righteousness, including yourself. Were you lamenting all that time “woe is us” as we compared ourselves to others. You can’t judge by appearances, can you? Judge a righteous judgment.
And do you remember what the Lord said to the loud and arrogant in Matthew 7?
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Wow! How did that happen? All these great and wonderful works burning up before their eyes as they left, no doubt cursing God. You can’t judge by appearances, can you? Judge a righteous judgment.
Focusing on results is an evil condition. By doing so, the simple are filled up with pride while the weaker ones are deceived into doubting themselves, even their salvation.
So, back to the question – what is the answer? Well, for sure they are one thing. They have to be. You have to look at the vantage point of James who is flying at a much higher level than most of us. In his mind, there is no disconnect between the two. They are one and the same, joined together, two sides of the same coin. He said Abraham was justified by his works but at the same time said that Abraham believed God and that was counted to him as righteousness. That is why he says,
James 2: 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
One cannot exist without the other if we are in Christ. It is because of the Vine-Branch relationship. The works are the fruit of who we are in Christ. Because we are one with Him, He manifests Himself through us, as us. If we forget that and step back into the delusion of being separate from God, the delusion of independence, we are on our own and the works that we do are no longer His. Any works based on self-effort will burn. But if we abide in Him, the fruit is a naturally occurring fruit, a lasting fruit. He works the works Himself, in us, as us. No effort.
Remember what he said you had to do, to do the works of God?
John 6: 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
That’s all! Believe! Don’t look for results. You will be disappointed. Believe what Galatians 2:20 is telling you,
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I no longer live. He lives! In me! As me! He does the works! Believe!!!!!!!!!
The Lost Coin by Samuel Hayes Sherwood is now available on Amazon. The mystery which is Christ in us unraveled.
This touched me this morning . This is something I have contemplated for a while . And yes, most times I am looking for results and I see now the difference between my doing a “good deed” vs. allowing Christ within me to do the works . I myself without Christ within have no love no wisdom no light no hope . Thank you for this uplifting journey you are on.