Faith and Works

Series Justification by Faith

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624

This message compares the overall context and argument of Paul (in Romans 3:18 and Galations 2:16) and James (in James 2:24). Paul is considering how a sinner can be right with a holy God. Paul is dealing with legalism. James is describing what a justified life looks like, how it is demonstrated. James is dealing with 'easy believism'. Paul and James are in different contexts, different constellations, as it were.
What follows is how Paul and James use the 3 operative words:
A. Faith - For Paul it is knowledge, assent and trust. For James it is knowledge and assent but no trust, also described as 'historical faith' or 'nominal faith'.
B. Works - For Paul it is gaining favor with God by one's own obedience. For James it is fruit from saving faith because of love to God and trust in God through Christ.
C. Justified - For Paul it is to be legally declared to be justified. For James it involves vindication.