Performance Oriented

Why do believers perform good works? 

1. Christian believers do not work in order to be saved. Believers work because they are saved!
2. The works of an unsaved person are grounds for self boasting. (Luke 18:11-12). The works of a saved person are cause for praise to God. (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
3. Fleshly works cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Faith works are pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Thess. 1:3).
4. Faith alone saves (Rom. 3:28).The faith that saves is not alone (James 2:14,20,22,26).
5. Faith is the root (Galatians 5:6). Love (expressed by good works) is the fruit (Galatians 5:6,22; Heb. 10:24).

 To the person who says they are saved because they perform the rituals of the Law, Paul says, “No, it is by faith in Christ that one is saved as Christ fulfilled the Law by his blood”. James, on the other hand, while in agreement with Paul, calls out the hypocrite who says they have “faith” but their actions reflect otherwise. In other words, their faith does not produce anything good.

So when James says that Abraham was justified by works and Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith, although on the surface it seems they are in disagreement, they are not; they actually agree. Because it was Abraham’s belief that God would fulfill His promise that led to his faith in God. Abraham’s faith in God that He would fulfill his promise, in turn, led to his act of obedience to God. Thus, we see Abraham’s faith by his action (works) to God’s command.

 So where Paul is looking at the faith, James is looking at the faith that leads to action.

 Remember, Christ said, “By their fruits you shall know them.”