JUSTIFICATION

JUSTIFICATION

Romans 4:1-5andJames 2:23-26are two separate teachings in the bible that must not be contrasted but reconciled. James referenced the same acts of Abraham and concluded, "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." {James 2:23-26}

Justification is a legal term that always has reference to a subject and a judge. We, as a subject are judged positionally by God to be righteous or justified, only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are the recipients of this justification based solely on the grace of God, thereby we are justified in his sight by grace. God also judges our timely deeds and we constantly stand before His judgement seat and reap in time according to what we have sown. We also manifest our faith to others in our workings, otherwise no one else would know we have faith or see our good works and glorify God. Therefore, without works our faith appears to be dead to anyone else that is judging our faith. Notice in the context of the verses in James,James 2:24begins, "Ye see." Here the judges are men.

InRomans 4:1-25the contrast is not between faith and the working of faith, but the contrast is between a faithless working of the law and believing by faith. The Jews (especially the Pharisees) believed that by their faithless works, they were justified before God. Here we see that faith is required to please God, the same lesson that is taught inHebrews 11:1-40Our faith is in God and the finished works of His Son and also in His promises. When we act or work by faith, this is pleasing to God. Notice, if we do the same acts or works without faith, but think we are going to obligate God to us, then we are not justified in His sight. This whole lesson, IMHO is talking of the timely service we render to God, and His pleasure with the works and with us as His servants. Notice inRomans 4:11Abraham is called the "father of all them that believe" and inRomans 4:12, he is called the "father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith..." Notice "walk in the steps" implies work. Believing in this context is also a work or manifestation of the faith that is within us and was given as a free gift through the grace of God. This work manifests our faith, it doesn’t cause it or work it. We, having been given faith at regeneration, then have the capacity to exercise that faith in our walk. One of the manifestations of faith is a public profession of faith or belief and this is a good work that manifests the faith we have been given. If we make no such profession, then there is no outward manifestation of the faith we have and our brethren, the "Ye see" crowd, judges us to be dead as far as faith is concerned. Notice also that when operating by faith, we must recognize our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags and thereby we know that our own works, in and of themselves, are unacceptable to God. But when we exercise faith in working, we are always looking to the perfect One, recognizing that we are only acceptable in any way because of His grace and His perfect imputed righteousness. When we do so, God counts, even our unworthy deeds as righteous, because they are done in faith. Stated another way, we are not justified by works, but by faith. Yet our faith is manifested by our works. This is the whole lesson ofHebrews 11:1-40Look at every example given inHebrews 11:1-40and see if there is even one example where faith was not manifested by an outward working. If we say we believe, then there is some evidence of faith, but if all our deeds indicate no faith, then again, the "Ye see" crowd may question our faith. These two lessons (Romans 4:1-25andJames 2:1-26) work together in perfect harmony. We cannot contrast one against the other or we make the Bible to contradict itself. Our belief of the "faith once delivered to the saints" is something brought through the gospel. However, this faith is a system of beliefs and practice and is the same use of the word as saying Primitive Baptist Faith. God regenerates, implants His Spirit, writes His laws in our Hearts and Minds, gives us faith, etc. without any help of man, including the preaching of the gospel.