WORKS OF FAITH

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 PERFECT [complete].
23 AND THE SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED WHICH SAYS, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED [credited] 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.”
James 2:21-24(NKJV)

Faith is perfected through works, that is, actions of faith.
The evidence that you have faith is to act on what you claim that you believe.
The Word of God which you do not act on, that is, the word you claim that you believe which you do not act on, is not faith; it is a mental assent.
You assented to the Word mentally, but it only becomes faith when you acted on it.

Without works, actions of faith, you do not believe.
• Abraham acted by obeying God; he moved from his father’s land to the land that would be shown to him (Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11:8).
• Also, Abraham wanted to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God; when God demanded for it (Hebrews 11:17-19).
• What Abraham did in those situations moved God to establish a covenant with him (Genesis 12:1-4; 22:9,10,12,16-18).

The actual faith is when you move, take action, in obedience to what God has said or instructed, either through the written word or the word spoken to you by the Holy Spirit.

Note:
• Your faith is not authentic without works, actions of faith.
• The proof of your faith is the works, that is, actions of faith.
• The word you refused to act on, is the word you do not believe.

There is no contradiction
James says in his epistle about being justified by works and not only faith (James 2:24), whilst Paul says no one is justified by works (Galatians 2:16).
• Now, the works being talked about by Apostle Paul are the works of the law; the old testament rituals that are practiced for cleansing of the the body, in order to be accepted by God (Colossians 2:16-23; Hebrews 8:9,10; 10:3,4).
• Whilst the works being talked about by James are the actions of faith (James 2:23,24).

• In the Greek word, the works being referred to by James is: "ergon".
The definition of it: a primary word; to work or toil—as an effort or occupation.
By implication: an act—deed or doing or labour work.

• Whilst the Greek word for the works being referred to by Paul is: "ergon"
The definition of it: a primary word; to work or toil—as an effort or occupation.
By implication: an act—deed or doing or labour work.

So the word translated work from Greek to English is the same word. Even when the word is used in the description of the works of the flesh, listed in Galatians 5:19-21; It is still the same word "ergon".
• But through the context of the Bible passages, it is known that they are not talking about the same works.
• Apostle Paul was talking about works of the law, whilst James was talking about actions of faith—being practical about the Bible passage read.
• And the works of the flesh being talked about by Paul are about behaviour or character.

The same word in Greek, "ergon", but three different interpretations in English.
So the Bible is not contradictory but it is the issue of language.

• Thus, Paul says, you would not need the works of the law for you to be justified; it is only through faith in Christ Jesus: "KNOWING THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW BUT BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, EVEN WE HAVE BELIEVED IN CHRIST JESUS, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN CHRIST AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW; FOR BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW NO FLESH SHALL BE JUSTIFIED" (Galatians 2:16 NKJV).

• Whilst, James says actions of faith or works of faith are needed to be added to your faith as a believer before you can be justified: "YOU SEE THEN THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, AND NOT BY FAITH ONLY" (James 2:24 NKJV).

You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!