But wilt thou know, O vain man,
that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There are many precepts or general principles contained within the Scriptures that must be understood to rightly divide the word of truth. One of them is that God created all things to glorify himself. Anything that does not glorify God is in error, sin. Teaching that our works contribute in anyway to salvation is in error as it would not glorify God but ourselves, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Here we have established another precept of the Bible, grace and works are mutually exclusive. If by grace it is not of works, if by works it is not of grace.
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Salvation is God’s free gift of grace to man. If I graciously give you a free gift and there is a payment book attached, is it a gift? is it free? Do you get to receive and keep the gift by my grace or your works?
Once you establish these precepts and understand them you will be able to rightly divide the word of truth in regards to James. James does not contradict Paul, they are not speaking of the same thing. Paul is speaking of obtaining salvation James of how to live after salvation.
Before salvation:
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
After salvation:
James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
There is no profit in having faith if you do not live it.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 3:27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
He that hath ears, let him hear.
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