Luther, I think, defines "Works" as "works that justify." He does not reject doing good or keeping the 10 Commandments. These are not part of what he defines as "works that justify." Rather, they are deeds that result *after Salvation,* and not a *means to get Saved.*
So, defining "Works" as "religious works designed to self-justify, or to get Saved" is not part of True Faith. True Faith Saves by the redemption of Christ and his Works alone. But it does not rely on Works to "get Saved."
I do think there are Works we can do as steps towards getting Salvation from Christ. But these Works are not "earning" Salvation, but rather, responding to Christ's Word, or offer of Salvation.
It is the choice, on our part, to receive his Salvation, which entails a rejection of all Works done apart from Christ in order to do Works only through him. It is, in effect, choosing to cast our whole life into the hands of Christ, becoming his possession, and committing ourselves completely to his Work.
Most of us understand this, but are utterly unable to explain Luther's resistance to James' definition of True Faith, which includes Works. The only way I can explain it is by recognizing Luther had a different definition of "Works" than James did.
Luther saw "Works" as defined by Works that justify, while relegating other kinds of legitimate Christian Works as separate from this category. And so, he would rightly separate this illegitimate form of self-justifying Works from a true definition of Faith.
James did not have the same concern, but was rather concerned not to separate legitimate Christian Works from a definition of true Christian Faith. And so, Luther and James had different definitions for the same words, creating some confusion in many.
Unfortunately, this has led some to believe that even our choice for Christ and our repentance from sin are illegitimate forms of self-justifying Works, though they are not. Just believing in Christ is viewed, biblically, as a Work. But it is not thereby treated as a self-justifying Work, but rather, as a legitimate choice to accept Christ's redemption.
So, defining "Works" as "religious works designed to self-justify, or to get Saved" is not part of True Faith. True Faith Saves by the redemption of Christ and his Works alone. But it does not rely on Works to "get Saved."
I do think there are Works we can do as steps towards getting Salvation from Christ. But these Works are not "earning" Salvation, but rather, responding to Christ's Word, or offer of Salvation.
It is the choice, on our part, to receive his Salvation, which entails a rejection of all Works done apart from Christ in order to do Works only through him. It is, in effect, choosing to cast our whole life into the hands of Christ, becoming his possession, and committing ourselves completely to his Work.
Most of us understand this, but are utterly unable to explain Luther's resistance to James' definition of True Faith, which includes Works. The only way I can explain it is by recognizing Luther had a different definition of "Works" than James did.
Luther saw "Works" as defined by Works that justify, while relegating other kinds of legitimate Christian Works as separate from this category. And so, he would rightly separate this illegitimate form of self-justifying Works from a true definition of Faith.
James did not have the same concern, but was rather concerned not to separate legitimate Christian Works from a definition of true Christian Faith. And so, Luther and James had different definitions for the same words, creating some confusion in many.
Unfortunately, this has led some to believe that even our choice for Christ and our repentance from sin are illegitimate forms of self-justifying Works, though they are not. Just believing in Christ is viewed, biblically, as a Work. But it is not thereby treated as a self-justifying Work, but rather, as a legitimate choice to accept Christ's redemption.
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