Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26

Part 2

"Works" in the New Testament (#1)

Intro.

1. Increasingly, Christians are not fully understanding, emphasizing &/or accepting what the NT teaches on “works.”

2. One recently said, “Works have nothing to do with salvation.” (Such a statement must be set in a specific context to be true; in another context, it is false.)

3. Misunderstand NT teaching on the relationship of “works” & salvation leads to a twisting/denial of the word of God & rejection of salvation!

4. We must be able to distinguish what “works” are being discussed in given passages – cf. Rom. 4:4-5; 11:6; Jas. 2:24.

I. DIFFERENT “WORKS” ARE DISCUSSED IN THE NT.

A. Other Works in NT…

1. Works of God – Jno. 5:17.

a. Creative work – Heb. 4:4.

b. Redemptive work in Christ – Eph. 1:11, 19-20.

c. Perfecting His people – Phil. 2:12-13.

d. Works that Christ did – Jno. 4:34; 5:17, 36; 9:3-4; 17:4.

e. Works that the Spirit does – 1 Cor. 12:11.

f. Works (of God) that man does – Jno. 6:28-29.

2. Works of iniquity – Lk. 13:27.

a. Works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

b. Works of darkness (Eph. 5:11; Rom. 13:12).

c. Works of evil (2 Tim. 4:18).

d. Works of the devil (1 Jno. 3:8).

e. Hypocritical works – Matt. 23:3.

3. Works of righteousness – Acts 10:34-35.

a. Good works – Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 13:21.

b. Works (fruits) of repentance – Acts 26:20 (Matt. 3:8).

4. Works of the law – Gal. 2:16 (Rom. 3:20, 28).

-Meritorious – Rom. 4:1-4.

B. We Must Examine Our Own Works – Gal. 6:4.

1. What is their nature?

2. What is their motive?

3. What is God’s will toward them?

II. WORKS THAT CANNOT JUSTIFY.

A. Works of Law – Acts 13:38-39.

1. Law identifies sin – Rom. 3:20 (7:7).

2. Law does not justify – Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16.

3. Law brings wrath – Rom. 4:15.

4. Law brings a curse – Gal. 3:10-12.

B. These are the Works of Merit (boasting) by which Nobody is Saved – Eph. 2:8-9.

III. WORKS THAT DO JUSTIFY.

A. Works (actions) of Faith – Jas. 2:14-26. (Definition of saving faith – Heb. 10:39)

1. Faith without works is:

a. Unprofitable & cannot save – 2:14.

b. Alone & dead – 2:15-17.

c. Unseen (incapable of demonstration) – 2:18.

d. Demons have this kind of faith – 2:19.

e. Barren – 2:20.

2. Faith with works is perfected (completed):

a. Abraham justified by works of faith – 2:21-24.

b. Rahab justified by works of faith – 2:25 (Heb. 11:31).

c. Our faith, without works (actions), is dead – 2:26.

B. This is Obedience to the Gospel – Rom. 1:5; 16:26.

1. Saved when we are obedient to the faith – Acts 6:7 (Rom. 6:17-18).

2. Save yourselves – Acts 2:40 (act in faith…obey commands).

Conclusion

1. Law does not save us (demands sinlessness, Gal. 3:10, 12).

2. We are saved by faith (demands humble obedience, Lk. 17:10).

3. Part 2: The relationship of grace, faith & works & our salvation.