Sorting out “justification by faith” and the role of “works”…

Posted by Tom Welch on May 19, 2009 under Essay | 2 Comments to Read

Last week we talked about the importance of reading the Bible in context and seeing how different writers use words differently. For instance, James and Paul say the same thing about Faith and Works, but they approach the topic from two different vantage points. And when we look to see how the church has sorted the issues out, we see a remarkable consensus on “Faith that Works”!

Paul and James on “Justification” and “Works”

Paul	James
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)	“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)
Focus: How a person gets into a right relation with God.  Gentile Audience.	Focus: What that relationship must look like to receive God’s final approval. Jewish audience
Justify: The initial declaration of a sinner’s innocence before God – Romans 4:5 “Declare to be Righteous”	Justify: The final verdict of innocent in the judgment – Luke 7:35 “Prove to be Righteous”
Faith: Not mere intellectual assent, but “Faith working through love” – Galatians 5:6	Faith: An active faith that produces a changed life. James 2:14
Abraham: Looks to an early episode of faith in God. Genesis 15:1-6	Abraham: Looks to a later episode of acting on his faith: Genesis 22:9-14
Works: A return to the law as a means for establishing or supplementing righteousness.	Works: The evidence and effects of true saving faith seen in acts of mercy and charity.
Misunderstood: To be an Antinomian!	Misunderstood: to be a Legalist!

The Historical Record on “Justification” and “Works”

The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church IX-XV (1794)

Article IX-Of the Justification of Man

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

Article X-Of Good Works

Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

Westminster Confession of Faith CHAPTER XI.

Of Justification.

I. Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone…

II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.