Those who resist the truth often point to the words of Martin Luther as evidence that Scripture contains glaring contradictions. But we must always remember that God never contradicts Himself. When we are confronted with what seems like a discrepancy, the problem is not with the Word of God, but with our understanding of it.
You see, justification simply means to be declared eternally righteous. It’s a legal term. For example, if a prisoner is brought before a judge, there is only one way he can be justified — he must be found not guilty. If he is proven to be not guilty, then he is a just man. However, if he is found guilty of a state crime and sentenced to death, the governor can pardon him, but he can never justify him or erase his crime. Even though the man is pardoned, he is still a criminal. There is no way of justifying him.
But now, amazingly, we are proven guilty before God and yet are said to be justified by the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9). The law shows decisively that we are sinners, guilty as charged, and therefore we are condemned to die. But then Christ steps forward as our sentence is about to be pronounced and says to the Father, “I will bear their guilt and punishment.” So today, those who place their faith in Christ are justified freely by His grace. Our sins and guilt were placed on Christ and in return, His righteousness was imputed to us. We are complete in Him by faith alone (Rom 4:5; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 2:10)!
This was not the case for those who lived under the law. Paul revealed to us that the basis of justification has always been by grace through the shed blood of Christ. But, it was God who determined what would be required to receive this wonderful gift. And under the law, God required men to have faith and show it in their works in order to be justified. They could not say they had faith and refuse to obey the law. If they did, it showed they didn't have faith. Works were part of the package under the law. It was not by faith alone.
I think we have a tendency to forget that Jesus Christ, while on the earth, was, and also taught His disciples to be, subject to the Law of Moses (Matt 23:2-3). In fact, the principles found in the Sermon on the Mount go even beyond those of the Law of Moses (Matt 5:20). Obviously “the fullness of time” referred to by Paul in Galatians 3:13 and 4:4-5 had not yet come because rather than redeeming those under the Law, our Lord made the law even more searching and binding. And for a very good reason. It was meant to further show men the impossibility of their perfectly obeying God, and hence their deep need for a Savior.
But even after Christ’s death and resurrection, although the people understood that their Messiah had risen, they didn't understand all that His death and resurrection had accomplished. It wasn’t until Paul came along and explained, that they understood. This is where I believe the Book of James fits in — after the cross but before Paul’s message was widely known. When viewed from this point in the progression of Scripture, James 2:20-21 makes perfect sense.
I think this author explains it rather well:
Faith will most assuredly approach God in God’s way at any time, and to seek to gain acceptance with Him in any other way would, of course, be unbelief and self-will. Thus, while works never did or could save as such, they did once save as expressions of faith…..Does this mean that works will be efficacious in themselves? No! They will avail only as the expression and evidence of faith as, indeed, James clearly teaches.
You see, justification simply means to be declared eternally righteous. It’s a legal term. For example, if a prisoner is brought before a judge, there is only one way he can be justified — he must be found not guilty. If he is proven to be not guilty, then he is a just man. However, if he is found guilty of a state crime and sentenced to death, the governor can pardon him, but he can never justify him or erase his crime. Even though the man is pardoned, he is still a criminal. There is no way of justifying him.
But now, amazingly, we are proven guilty before God and yet are said to be justified by the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9). The law shows decisively that we are sinners, guilty as charged, and therefore we are condemned to die. But then Christ steps forward as our sentence is about to be pronounced and says to the Father, “I will bear their guilt and punishment.” So today, those who place their faith in Christ are justified freely by His grace. Our sins and guilt were placed on Christ and in return, His righteousness was imputed to us. We are complete in Him by faith alone (Rom 4:5; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 2:10)!
This was not the case for those who lived under the law. Paul revealed to us that the basis of justification has always been by grace through the shed blood of Christ. But, it was God who determined what would be required to receive this wonderful gift. And under the law, God required men to have faith and show it in their works in order to be justified. They could not say they had faith and refuse to obey the law. If they did, it showed they didn't have faith. Works were part of the package under the law. It was not by faith alone.
I think we have a tendency to forget that Jesus Christ, while on the earth, was, and also taught His disciples to be, subject to the Law of Moses (Matt 23:2-3). In fact, the principles found in the Sermon on the Mount go even beyond those of the Law of Moses (Matt 5:20). Obviously “the fullness of time” referred to by Paul in Galatians 3:13 and 4:4-5 had not yet come because rather than redeeming those under the Law, our Lord made the law even more searching and binding. And for a very good reason. It was meant to further show men the impossibility of their perfectly obeying God, and hence their deep need for a Savior.
But even after Christ’s death and resurrection, although the people understood that their Messiah had risen, they didn't understand all that His death and resurrection had accomplished. It wasn’t until Paul came along and explained, that they understood. This is where I believe the Book of James fits in — after the cross but before Paul’s message was widely known. When viewed from this point in the progression of Scripture, James 2:20-21 makes perfect sense.
I think this author explains it rather well:
Faith will most assuredly approach God in God’s way at any time, and to seek to gain acceptance with Him in any other way would, of course, be unbelief and self-will. Thus, while works never did or could save as such, they did once save as expressions of faith…..Does this mean that works will be efficacious in themselves? No! They will avail only as the expression and evidence of faith as, indeed, James clearly teaches.
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