Contradiction ... in the Bible? Uh-oh.

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/36a3f24d/contradiction-in-the-biblereally-james-no8

Some people live for this sort of thing...finding a glitch in the Word of God. And while our brother, James, does not come close to the 'street cred' of Paul, his writing has impacted and influenced the lives of countless Christians down through the ages. And as always, when I pick up my Bible and read, I do so, with these words of Paul in mind: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching...and for training in righteousness.1 The words were not made up by men, but inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.2 

So, as we study this next passage from James chapter two, we know that James was not just talking off the top of his head; his words came from God himself. Yet, as we consider James' next instruction, it almost seems he and our brother, Paul, need to get their stories straight, their doctrine in order.  Did they make conflicting statements about the Christian faith and living it out?  

First, James. He writes to encourage the Jewish Christians wherever they have been scattered, to live authentically; though they may be living under intense pressure, they are to bear in mind they represent Jesus Christ to the world--and so do we.

Just five verses, let's consider what he writes:

"What's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone.  

Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 

So you see, it isn't enough to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless. 

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds." James 2.14-18

Hmmm. These verses juxtaposed with others I memorized as a teen-aged girl--penned by Paul: "For by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."3

Huh - it seems there is a contradiction in Scripture in these two New Testament passages.  James says that it is not faith alone, but we must show our faith through good deeds--whereas Paul says our salvation in Christ is a gift of grace, not of works or in today's vernacular, 'being a good person'.  So, which is it?

Here again, context is key. Paul was writing to the people of Ephesus, who wanted to believe that their righteous acts would earn their salvation.  I can understand the logic of the Ephesians--we earn wages with a job well done, why wouldn't we earn salvation?  Because again, God's methodology is not ours. Paul tells his readers that they are saved by faith . . . faith plus nothing.  We are saved by  grace-- the grace of God. How I love that word!  Grace . . . where would be without it?  We would be striving, at best. This is one of the great distinctives of Christianity, so different from Mormonism or the Latter Day Saints--interestingly, I am writing right now from the mecca of the LDS in Salt Lake City, Utah; and there's Scientology, Judaism and Islam, and even some Christian faiths that lean heavy on doing 'good works' for God. This is great news! We have relationship with Jesus Christ by placing our faith in him; we are saved by faith plus nothing.

Saved? Hmmm, sometimes the word freaks people out. It was a term Jesus used. Take a look--in answering the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, who came to him under the cloak of darkness, [wanting to meet the young, influential rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth--to see for himself--was Jesus real?], Jesus said, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.4 Saved.

Listen to me here: when James tackles works and faith, he is drawing a contrast between a faith that is real and alive, and one that is lifeless, rather meaningless.  Similar to when Jesus said that a vine should bear fruit, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.5 So a faith that is real should be dynamic, growing, and evident to others.  Note: our works prove nothing to God, as he knows the intent of our hearts.  

Have you ever run into someone at church who you met on the soccer field or some other setting?  Do you think they were surprised to see you at church?  In other words,

----->does your character, your speech and conduct 'look' Christian?  Hmm.

Here's the thing--when we say we are a Christ follower, it means

->we desire to know and love God. And then, when we ->experience his presence,

->have answers to our prayers, ->when we know his guidance and love, we want our lives to honor him, don't we? For sure. We want to live in such a way that others will want to know him too.  

So, while at first pass this apparent contradiction between James and Paul appears to be a conundrum, it is not.  Truly good works do not save us, but if we are truly saved--have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we will naturally want to be more like him, to honor and obey him with our conduct.

When I was in high school, there was a beautiful song played at every youth group. I got to hear the artist, Keith Green, sing it live, not long before he was killed in a tragic airplane accident. 'Make my life a prayer to you.'  Those words preach, do they not? It seems that would or should be the desire of our hearts, that our lives would be a lived-out-loud prayer to God. 'Make my life a prayer to you, I want to do what you want me to, no empty words and no white lies, no token words, no compromise ... I want to shine the light you gave, through your son you sent to save us from ourselves and our despair, it comforts me to know you're really there .'

Because if we are people of faith, it follows that our lives will show it. We will be people who look into the mirror of God's Word and then reflect his love to those around us with a life that honors God. Amen. 

And now, of course, the legendary song by Keith Green:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd-XW91JHak&list=RDkd-XW91JHak&start_radio=1

Let's do this... well.

Christine

James, no.8

1 - 2 Timothy 3.16, ESV

2 - 2 Peter 1.21

3 - Ephesians 2.8-9

4 - John 3.17

5 - John 15.5