LoveYeshua
Active Member
In the teachings of Jesus, justification is clearly linked to faith in Him, not to any works or deeds a person might do. Jesus emphasized that eternal life and righteousness before God come through believing in Him. In John 6:28-29, when asked what they must do to do the works of God, Jesus replied, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." This highlights that faith in Christ is the primary means of being justified, not the performance of good works. Jesus' parables, like the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), show that those who humbly trust in God's mercy are justified, not those who rely on their own righteousness or works.
While works do not justify a person, Jesus taught that good works naturally follow from genuine faith. In Matthew 7:16-20, He pointed out that “good trees bear good fruit,” meaning that those who are truly justified by faith in Christ will show evidence of their faith through their actions. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus illustrates that acts of kindness, love, and service are a natural outgrowth of a heart transformed by faith. So, while works do not secure justification, they are a reflection of a life changed by faith and serve as the evidence of true belief.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
While works do not justify a person, Jesus taught that good works naturally follow from genuine faith. In Matthew 7:16-20, He pointed out that “good trees bear good fruit,” meaning that those who are truly justified by faith in Christ will show evidence of their faith through their actions. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus illustrates that acts of kindness, love, and service are a natural outgrowth of a heart transformed by faith. So, while works do not secure justification, they are a reflection of a life changed by faith and serve as the evidence of true belief.
James 2:14-26 ( NKJV)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
