See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
I want to continue the thought that we started yesterday in, “Two Sides.” In short, we contrasted what Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 8-9 with what James writes in James 2: 24. Paul tells us that we are saved by faith, not by works. James writes, “…a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” Are these two statements contradictory?
The key here is in Paul’s use of the word, “works.” The word “work” comes from the Greek, ergon. It describes the kind of work one does for pay. In other words, a job. At the end of the day, one who works at a job is paid in coin or currency. Both parties have what they bargained for. But salvation is not something any of us can afford. The price for our salvation is so far out of reach that we might as well believe that we could jump over the moon by using our own two legs.
When James writes, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone,” (James 2: 24) he is not saying that we “earn” our way into heaven. Instead, he is telling us what God looks for. James has already told us that words alone are worthless. (James 3: 7-8) So instead of relying on our words, God looks into our hearts. (Perhaps what he looks for is joy.) What is in our heart is revealed not only before God’s eyes but also in what we do. James wants us to be clear on this point.
Suppose a farmer plants seed that is bad. Let’s say the person selling the seed promised a valuable crop, but instead, the seed produces only weeds. If both seeds look the same, how will the farmer know until the plants begin to grow?
Like the farmer James writes about, God waits for the land to yield its valuable crop. In Matthew 13: 24-30, Jesus tells us that bad seeds have indeed been mixed in with the good. When James tells us that what we do matters, he is telling us not to act like “bad seed.” From God’s point of view, there may be no difference between the real bad seed and one who chooses to act like a bad seed.
Application: What we do matters more than what we say.
Food for Thought: How do we apply this truth in our fellowship with other Christians?
The old saying is walk the walk and don’t just talk the talk. What we do does matter and presents a platform for what we say – the gospel message. James and Paul didn’t disagree. (Ephesians 2: 10). Paul emphasizes how to get to saving faith and James emphasized how to live that saving faith. But both taught that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And both taught we should live out that faith in what we say and do.
Thank you, Rich.
Beautiful response!
A prior pastor of mine would say, “Your talk talks and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks” (forgive me if I previously shared this quote.)
Thanks JEC! I don’t think you have. It’s a GREAT quote! 🙂
That is a good quote JEC
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Actions speak louder words. But I like JEC s walk talk talk walk saying but I dont think I’ll be able to remember it all next time I’m walking and talking with someone.