Justification
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."[Romans 3:28;Galatians 2:16]
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only."[James 2:24;I John 3:7]
"He shall see the travail of his soul,and shall be satisfied:by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many,for he shall bear their iniquities." [Isaiah 53:11]
"Let the wicked forsake his way,and the unrighteous man his thoughts:And let him return unto the Lord,and he will have mercy upon him;and to our God for he will abundantly pardon."[Isaiah 55:7]
The statements above made by the apostles Paul and James appear to contradict each other and may be a cause of confusion among those who seek to understand the word of God.Many persons may be tempted to accept one and reject the other.
A proper search of the scriptures,however, will show that both can be reconciled and the words of Isaiah stated above,also sheds some light on this.Many,instead of reconciling both passages tend to accept one and teach that we are saved by grace and are made righteous by Jesus' atoning action and hence those who try to live righteous or keep God's commandments, are trying to be righteous by themselves and hence,are fallen from grace.(especially those who use the law as a guide to know sin.)
Nothing could be further from the truth and the passages in Isaiah, stated above, show that those who are to benefit from God's pardon(grace) must also forsake their wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts and conform to God's ways.
The difference in the style of writing of both apostles and the difference in the audience they are writing to,may be a cause of the apparent contradiction. If,however, the reader should consider all of Paul's letter to the Romans and his other epistles, before coming to a conclusion,they would be able to see that both he and James concur on the matter but that they discuss the topic in different ways.
It is to be noted that the apostle Peter noticed that Paul's style of writing is not easily understood and could cause many to be in error.Many pastors and teachers of God's word fail to recognize this and hence,lead their flock into error and keep them there by avoiding scriptures which would illuminate their errors.[II Peter 3:15-17;II Timothy 2:15;Proverbs 14:15;Proverbs 2:1-6]
Paul says justification is by faith and faith alone.[Romans 3:23-28;Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9] But he also asks,if, after receiving this pardon,should we continue in sin.[Romans 6:1,2] He says no and hence shows there is another part to justification which James speaks of in his statement above and which Paul alludes to in other passages.[Romans 2:13]
The part which man has no control of and can do nothing to gain may be called redemption or reconciliation( Romans 3:24;Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14;Hebrews 9:12,15;Romans 5:10;II Corinthians 5:18-20) and the second area is that which man will do by the power which God has given him, by his submitting to the will of God and living a righteous and holy life.Hence whereas Paul is making clear to the readers at Rome that the reason we have the opportunity to gain eternal life is not by our own doing,he also says, when we have accepted this opportunity by accepting baptism,we are not expected to continue to live in sin,but we must live in a manner which is acceptable to God who gives us the power to do this.
James in his letter may have been speaking to a more informed audience and hence ,he links both parts of the justification process,without highlighting the act performed by Jesus which motivates and gives the faith needed to continue in good works.
The following scriptures show the way in which the justification process may be divided.
REDEMPTION AFTER REDEMPTION
Romans 3:23-26. Romans 6:20-22.
Romans 5:9. Romans 6:1-4,6,15.
Ephesians 2:8,9. Ephesians 2:10;4:22-24.
Titus 3:7. Titus 3:8.
Hebrews 9:11-15. Hebrews 10:22-29.
Galatians 2:16. Galatians 5:6,16,19-23.
redemption - (629,Strong' s)apolutrosis, from a comp. of 575 and 3083;(the act)ransom in full.ie.(fig. ) riddance,or (spec.)Chr. salvation:
Also: (3085,Strong' s)lutrosis, from 3084;a ransoming(fig. ):
James however,speaks of the whole process as one and is very simple in his explanation of what should happen to the redeemed person.[James 2:1,14-26;1: 1-3,12] He does not describe the actions of Jesus in the justification process in the detail that Paul does but is mainly concerned with the fruits of the process.Persons reading parts of Paul's letter may believe that just by having faith they are righteous and may gain eternal life, without forsaking sin also.James' method of describing the process ensures that no one could make this error with his letter and there are many other scriptures which support this method.Whereas James makes his point quickly,Paul only gets to the "meat" of the matter in chapter 12 of his letter to the Romans.[Romans 3:5-8;II Peter 3:15-17;Romans 12:1-21;13:8- 10,14;Hebrews 11:1-40;Galatians 5:6;I Corinthians 7:19;I John 5:2,3]
Jesus also was very clear on the subject as was the apostle John.[Matthew 7:21-27;19:16- 30;John 6:35-40;7:16; 8:31 - 45;11:25,26; 12:47-50; I John 1:5-10;2:1-6; 3:1-10;Revelation 14:12]
In using Abraham as the example for all to follow,the dual nature of the justification process is obvious.
Abraham was called by God to leave his father's house and he obeyed.[Genesis 12:1-4;Hebrews 11:8]
His faith caused him to obey God.[James 2:21-23]
He was declared righteous as God cleared him of any sin he had committed because he believed God.[Romans 4:1-8;Genesis 15:6]
When this relationship was sealed Abraham was told to:
"...walk before me and be thou perfect."[Genesis 17:1]
Hence God called him,redeemed him and told him to obey his laws,and he received the institution of circumcision as a seal of this agreement or covenant.[Genesis 17:3-14; James 2:14-20;Ephesians 2:8-10;Titus 3:4-8]
Did Abraham keep the laws of God after being redeemed,justified or cleared of sin?
"Because that Abraham obeyed my voice,and kept my charge,my commandments, my statutes,and my laws."[Genesis 26:5]
Jesus said the children of Abraham would follow his example.[John 8:39;Galatians 3:28,29]
Hence Abraham's faith was first acknowledged but continued to be tested and was proven because he obeyed God.[Genesis 22:1-14;Hebrews 11:8-10,17]
As it was with Abraham and others, it is our works which will show our faith or lack of it.[Romans 4:19-22;9:30- 33;11:20- 22;Hebrews 3:14-19;4:1- 16;Numbers 14:1-35;James 2:22,23;1:2- 4,12;Proverbs 28:13;21:21]
In conclusion,we cannot free ourselves from the curse of the law.Only the death of one who was just could do this great work of reconciliation with God.[Deuteronomy 11:26-29;27: 11-26;28: 15-19;Galatians 3:13;Hebrews 9:15;10:1-10; I Peter 1:18-21;2:24, 25;Romans 3:22,23.]
For neither the blood of bulls and goats(works of the law) nor our good works(works of righteousness) could redeem us from the consequences of sin.[Romans 3:20;Romans 6:23;Ezekiel 20:24,25;Romans 9:31,32;Titus 3:5;Hebrews 10:1-14;Galatians 2:16;3:19,24- 26]
After being redeemed,however, in order to attain the promise of eternal life,which was made possible by the death of Jesus,we must forsake sin and live according to God's laws.[I Peter 1:9-23;Romans 6:1-14;I Corinthians 6:9-11;Titus 3:8;Romans 8:1-8,13;Ezekiel 36:26,27;I Peter 4:1-4;Romans 7;7;3:20b;I John 3:4;I Timothy 1:8;Jeremiah 31:33,34;Exodus 24:12;Hebrews 8:8-13; II Corinthians 3:1-3;Revelation 22:14]
This is how the law/works justifies. As Paul said:
Romans 2:
11For there is no respect of persons with God.
12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
If we continue in sin after accepting this gift of grace,we are in danger of facing the wrath of God,however, we still have an advocate who intercedes on our behalf if we have strayed from the path of righteousness. [Hebrews 7:22-25;10:26- 29,38,39; 12:1-17;I John 2:1,2;Psalm 32:1-5,8,10]
Those who fail to do those works pleasing unto God are said to be:
"They profess that they know God;but in works they deny him,being abominable,and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."[ Titus 1:16]
We should rather be found among those described below:
"Little children,let no man deceive you:he that doeth righteousness, is righteous even as he is righteous."[ I John 3:7]
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,we should live soberly,righteously ,and godly,in this present world.....who gave himself for us,that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."[Titus 2:11-14]
safswan.
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