Hello again my steemians brothers, and welcome to Bible Q&A number one.
¿Are we justified by faith only or by works?
The Bible tells us everywhere that men cannot be justified before God by works. If that is so, why it says in James 1:21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Issac his son upon the altar? In addition, James 2:24 says …see then how that works a man is justified, and not by faith only?
That looks like James is in conflict with the rest of scripture. Catholics use that verse as an argument for work based salvation, but that is not what James is saying.
Even the Old Testament points out men are justified by faith alone and that issue is argued in the New Testament almost in every book. We are saved by grace though faith says Ephesians 2:8-9 (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.)
What is James saying then?
Abraham was justified by works before men, not before God, in other words: Show me your works and I will believe in your faith. Our true salvation by faith is demonstrated in our works, that´s what he is saying.
A true Christian will always have works.
In Philippians Paul says: “work out your salvation”, God has worked it in and you work it out. When we see Abraham offering his son as an act of obedience we know that he is a true believer that God has transformed his heart.
What do you think of James'passage? Please, share your thoughts.
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6
Abraham had his named changed from Abram and was already in covenant relationship with God for many years when he obeyed the LORD and was willing to offer up his son.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
We are not saved by works of righteousness. But once we are saved, we are empowered by the Spirit to do good works.
The evidence of Abraham's right standing with God, was His obedience to God's command.
The writers of the Gospels and New Testament epistles gave forth the Scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit within the culture and context of a life lived as prescribed in the Torah.
The Hebrew is concerned with practice, the Greek with knowledge. Right conduct is the ultimate concern of the Hebrew, right thinking that of the Greek.
James (Yaacov/Jacob), the 1/2 brother of Yeshua (Jesus) was thinking as a Jew. It is not what you say, but how you act. You can tell a tree by its fruit.
Shalom and blessings, Steven Sherman (born-again Jew).
If you are interested in blogs from a Hebrew perspective, check out my latest post:
Hebrew Wedding Traditions and the Bride of Christ
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/hebrew-wedding-traditions-and-the-bride-of-christ