Justification, Faith, and Works: Paul vs. James - Bob Wilkin

How do you reconcile Paul and James? The key is distinguishing between eternal salvation from hell, and temporal salvation from afflictions in this life. Bob Wilkin of the Grace Evangelical Society answers this question.

[NewCreationInChrist]

Amen, James was asking them where is your faith and gave an example, he wasn’t condemning them. He was saying you should be acting on it, live out your faith don’t be passive. Paul was saying God has work prepared for you. We should be looking to serve at any time looking to do the Will of God, glory hallelujah to our King and Father in Heaven.
Ephesians 2:10
James 2:15

[wtom]

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

[gws]

I truly feel sorry for those that believe in Jesus + good works will get them to heaven. They can have no peace, or rest to their soul. For today they may be saved but tomorrow their work's may be insufficient for salvation. They do good works out of fear in the power of the flesh, rather than out of love by the Spirit. They hold themselves up to idolatry, trusting in themselves rather than the grace of God.

[ItalianWarrior]

Jesus talks about treasures in Heaven, I think we should consider that too

[JJFrostMusic]

You do good works cause you are saved not because you want to be saved.

[danielkim]

Eternal life not temporary life.
John 11:25, 26  Jesus said to her,  “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

[timwelch]

People need to stop isolating this passage in James and read the whole thing in context. otherwise it will lead to mass confusion.

[jdude]

What kind of knuckle heads give this a thumbs down???
Where is your faith in Christ alone?
Why would you even watch this if your mind is closed to your particular works based soteriology?
Just go back to your videos from John MacArthur!
Whatever happened to listening to two different perspectives? People today and perhaps always are too quick to be 100% right and must have everything detail all nailed down and leave no room for any difference of opinion or interpretation! I take great comfort in many of the seemingly contradictory passages in scripture. They reassure me that this is communication from the mind of God. If the Bible was of human origin if would easily make sense to mere mortals. Apparent contradictions would be non existent. There is a peace and satisfaction that comes from wrestling with hard sayings in holy script and working out yout own salvation with fear and trembling.

Peace to all!

[paeng]

Faith is doing what you believe. What you do in this life is the result of your faith. He who doesn't do anything of what he believes is the same as not believing anything at all.

[silvertenzin]

I think debating whether we get the Salvation by Faith alone or by Faith with good works is toxic to certain point. Let us just believe our lord Jesus Christ & do good works of spreading the gospel for the kingdom of God😎☝🏾
This back & forth bickering is like pre tribulation rapture vs Post tribulation rapture endless debate.

[JonathonWilder]

"Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important."
Quote by C.S. Lewis

[savedbygracethroughfaith]

St. John Chrysostom put it this way on works and faith...

“Not that God has forbidden works but that He has forbidden us to be justified by works. No one, Paul says, is justified by works, precisely in order that the grace and benevolence of God may be apparent.”

[justinmckenzie]

Ephesians 2:10 simply states we are saved to do good works, however we are saved by faith alone.

[j.taylor]

The evidence that James is just talking about earthly salvation is that he talks of a fellow believer being cold and hungry. So he means for this life. The other things he delineates are also for this life, like how asking for wisdom, helping a sinner, helping a sick person or even what "work" goes with joy--sing a hymn. Down to earth advice about how to ask God for things and bridle your tongue. Good stuff.

[dukedouglass]

Wait if faith without works is dead.. Then that means it exist. If my dog is dead that means he still existed. If you read the whole thing james is explaining how if a brethren has no works but has faith in Jesus it does not profit unbelievers. We are "suppose" to be a paculiar people. He is pretty much saying.. Why be like you if your acting like me. That's why james keep saying brethren. Because the people whom he is speaking to are saved. But they are not getting people saved due to their works. A good motivation speach to get the believers fired up to soul win. Pls heed these words and check the scriptures of the kjv to see what I'm saying is true. Compare that verse in james to Romans 4:5. "But to the man that workth not but believes in him that justify the ungodly his faith is counted for rightousness". God bless brothers and sisters in Christ!

[mikeniklas]

I believe in faith alone thru Christ alone..if you believe that faith without works is unsaving faith how many works do I have to do to have saving faith and what kind of works does the bible tell me I have to do...people say I believe in faith BUT faith without works is dead. please list the works I have to do and how many works and where in the bible does it say it in....people say easy believism but it seems like more people don't truly believe.

[godswillogbonna]

This man is worded and grounded. The only American I have seen and heard that dissects the word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit. I wish i know his name.

[theneverending]

Also for those who say Paul only meant works of the law, well Abraham wasn’t under the law of Moses. So how do you work that one out? Obedience are works of righteousness and titus 3:5 says we are saved by him and not by works of righteousness. So how do we work this out?

[grubsgrubsgrubs]

Why do people misinterpret? I guess not everyone is qualified to teach. This scripture used to scare me but now I'm feeling peace of mind thanks to this interpretation. Thanks to those who rightly discern God's word😢

[paulmcarthur]

The question in James is... What does it profit? Does faith save? Answer: YES! Faith saves. Your faith profits YOU because it saves you. Does your faith save anybody? No. Nobody can piggy back on your faith and claim salvation because you believed.

So, if your faith doesn't have works it doesn't profit anybody else. Why? Because nobody can SEE your faith. Your faith and your works won't save anybody. But, your works can profit others by leading them to believe and be saved.

The problem is unbelievers can have works just like believers can have works. Works doesn't save anybody and works don't prove that anybody's saved.

Abraham was justified by works... but, not before God. Abraham's works justified him before man. Only God could see Abraham's faith. People just saw his works and then 'knew' he was saved.