Faith without Works

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

Some Bible scholars point out what they see as a controversy between the writings of the Apostle Paul and those of the Apostle James. There are those who say that Paul believed we are saved by faith while others contend that James believed that we are saved by works. Paul wrote, “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). Our works cannot save us. In a seeming contrast, James tells us in chapter two of his epistle that faith without works is dead. So, many would conclude that James is saying that if you do not have works, you do not have faith. In spite of the tension between these ideas, no real contradiction exists. Each apostle is presenting the same truth from opposite sides in much the same way that two artists might paint a picture of the same mountain from different sides. Though the pictures would be of the same mountain, they may be very different. Paul is speaking of the cause of salvation; James is speaking of the evidence of salvation. James said, “Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Without good works, we appear to be unsaved. No one can see inside our hearts. If we want others to think that we are saved, there is no other way to show them except by our works. These scriptures raise the following questions: Am I saved? Do other people know it? And if not, what do I need to change?