Justification Through Faith vs. Through Faith and Good Works

I have often wondered why the Bible sometimes seems so contradictory on this matter.  In Romans, it says, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the Law" (Romans 3:28).  Also, in Romans 4:2-5, it says, "(2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about - but not before the eyes of God.  (3)What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'  (4)Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.  (5)However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."
However, in James, it says, "(24) You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. (25)In this way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?  (26)As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."



Mental faith and full-blown faith are different.  Even the demons have faith in God.  Yeah, the demons in Hell know that God exists - but it hasn't helped them at all, has it? 
But the mental knowledge that God is God - it's just as useless.  When you choose not to act on it, it isn't really true faith. 
Christians have a different faith in Christ - kind of like, faith in action.  Not only to the acknowledge that God exists, but they give Him complete control.

This goes sort of back to when I talked about why we can't sin - when we have truly accepted Jesus Christ into out hearts, and believe without a doubt that He died so that we could have a chance to spend Eternity with Him, we have died to sin.  If sin still controls your thoughts and actions, you are not truly dead to sin.
But if you truly have Jesus Christ in your heart, then sin becomes an abomination to you.  Jesus is living in you and changing you, so that you consciously grow closer to Him.  You are aware of the existence of sin, and are appalled by it.  Naturally, you will tend to make a conscious effort not to sin.

Now, does that mean that you are never going to sin again when you are a Christian?  Absolutely not.  You are still human.  But you have comfort in the fact that you know that Jesus has paid the price for your sins, so that you have assurance. 

If you truly have faith in God, and if Jesus is truly living in you, then "good works" kind of comes natural.  As you grow closer to Jesus, it becomes more natural to do good works, and that shows when you are in public.  I think that is what James meant when he said that, "Faith without good works is dead."  Good works aren't a stipulation for salvation; rather, they are a sign that you are saved.  Does that make sense?

Forever in Christ,
Tyler Henke