And Paul replies:

There are those who dismiss Paul, and those who dismiss James. Those people do not hang out here.

For those who accept that these Scriptures do not contradict each other, there are usually two options available:

• They were using "faith" differently. James used "faith" in a narrower sense, while Paul used it in a broader sense. Either way, true faith comes with good works.
• They were using "works" differently. Paul referred to "works" which one did in order to be saved, while James referred to "works" which one did because he was saved.

Of course, there are nuances and variations in the beliefs of individuals, but those are the major categories. Either "faith" was different or "works" was different.

However, I prefer a 3rd option: They were using "justified" (dikaio) differently. James used it in the sense of "to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous," while Paul used it in the sense of "to declare, pronounce, one to be just" or even "to render righteous."

James used Abraham as an example of faith that exhibited good works. He was "justified" by his works because his works showed that he was righteous.

In contrast, Paul used Abraham as an example of one who was justified without works. He was "counted" righteous not because he worked, but because he believed.

Furthermore, the Jews did not attain righteousness because they sought it by works. Had they believed in Jesus, instead of being a stumblingblock to them, He would have rendered, or made, them righteous. But God only does that for those who trust in Him, not in themselves.

So, is faith ever alone? As the means for justification - to be declared just or to be made just - it MUST be alone. But as the evidence of justification - to show that one is just - it cannot be alone, since man looks at the outward appearance.

Yes, I tend to agree with your third option.

Have you ever tried to find a text where Paul says
"The Just shall live by faith ALONE?

It's not in the text that uses the first six words.

1Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

It isn't anywhere.

Hebrews says:

11:7 By faith Noah,... moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

11:8 By faith Abraham, ...obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

So -- I think both Paul and James agree that the just live by faith in obedience.

Where the difference comes is when "justification" means forgiveness. Forgiveness that legally says we are accounted as if we had not sinned. That comes by faith ALONE in Christ and His supreme sacrifice. Nothing we do can give us that.

Perhaps a better "translation" is: The just shall live by faithfulness.


I might even go so far as to say that justification in the sense of being rendered or made just also comes by faith alone, no works. The works is the result of the process, not the impetus. But I'm still studying this out, so nothing dogmatic at this point.

Thank you, Arnold, for creating this week's study and discussion thread.

Very good thoughts expressed here in these posts, all of which I am presently in agreement.

As I am the one presenting the lesson study in our church tomorrow morning, I am thinking about printing off and using some of what was posted here so far.

Paul is talking to Peter who had fallen back into segregation practices.

"Peter, you are a Jew and follower of the Torah, and have never practiced sins common to Gentiles, but let me ask you this-- do you still need to be Justified by Christ?"

Peter looks down, remembering his plunders and outright denials of His Lord, yes, he NEEDS the justification that only Christ can give.

Paul continues: "So you KNOW that you were justified by Jesus Christ not the works of the law. You would be condemned even though you have lived by the Torah all your life. By the works of the law no one can be justified."


And yes -- Peter would also realize the absolute necessity of a living faith that alone enables him to live a life of obedience. So yes, being made righteous, as in sanctification, comes also only by faith in Jesus Christ. Self sufficiency in right doing doesn't lead to any kind of justification.
"The works is the result of the process, not the impetus."

We know that our justification rests on substitution: Jesus obeyed the law perfectly, and His obedience stands in the place of our disobedience. If so, then we can say, "We are justified by the faithfulness of Jesus." God declares us just because Jesus was perfect, and His perfection is accounted to us.

But does this also work for justification in the sense of "to make righteous"? Is it correct to say that when we are being made righteous - sanctified - that it is Jesus working through us? Hence, even our sanctification is Christ's perfect obedience, not our own. Does that sound right?

It seems to me it is Jesus working in us. The obedience is ours, but it is motivated by the Holy Spirit; however, although motivated by Him, it is an imperfect obedience, so it must be covered by Christ's righteousness.

When through repentance and faith we accept Christ as our Saviour, the Lord pardons our sins, and remits the penalty prescribed for the transgression of the law. The sinner then stands before God as a just person; he is taken into favor with Heaven, and through the Spirit has fellowship with the Father and the Son. Then there is yet another work to be accomplished, and this is of a progressive nature. The soul is to be sanctified through the truth. And this also is accomplished through faith. For it is only by the grace of Christ, which we receive through faith, that the character can be transformed. {3SM 191.2, 3}

O, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and thanksgiving must be placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ. {AG 154.5}

IOW, Christ's righteousness covers both our sins (justification) and our good works (sanctification), therefore both justification and sanctification are accomplished through faith.

You and I have been proponents of these ideas here for a long time. I agree with what you said here.

But I have been contemplating Bill Liversidge's ideas. He says that even "our" obedience is really Jesus obeying through us. This seems to be closely related to the idea that even our sanctified obedience needs to be covered by Christ's perfect, meritorious obedience. I'm still trying to work out the details.

In sanctification I would say Jesus is working IN US, there is an element of co-operation that needs to exist, for Jesus does not force Himself upon us.
Yet that co-operation is more of submission a placing our will under His will, and being in daily surrendered communication with Christ.

But yes, I agree it's Christ's perfect righteousness not our own.


Truth lies on a rather fine line.

I see people opposing these Sabbath School lessons stressing the law, the law, saying yes Jesus forgives, but the law, the law is what's important and these lessons down play the law.
They resist justification by faith alone with the same zeal as the 1888 brethren opposed Jones and Waggonner.

On the other hand I see people so into the "Jesus did it all" that they will tell me things like: "When Jesus takes away my desire to smoke I will know it's His work not my own, and I will stop smoking". And they continue to smoke (or whatever other sin they want to keep) while happily saying they are "saved".