FAITH AND WORKS (11 OF 26)
Scripture: Romans 4:1-8, James 2:1, James 2:14-26
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Faith and Works (11 of 26)
Series: Romans:The Gospel of God
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 4:1-8; James 2:14-26
For what does the Scripture say? ''Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteous-ness'' (Rom. 4:3).
A CONTRADICTION?
There appears to be a contradiction between Romans 4 and James 2 regarding how Abraham was justified. Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith. James says that Abraham was justified by works.
- ''To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness'' (Rom. 4:5).
- ''Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?'' (James 2:21).
Do Paul and James contradict each other? Are we justified by faith or works? These questions are not just for theologians to debate. These questions affect our belief in the trustworthiness of the Bible and our understanding of how we can be justified. What's more important than that?
MAKING SENSE OF PAUL AND JAMES
In order to properly understand what Paul and James are saying about justification, faith, and works, we need to know two things.
First, we need to know the chronology of Abraham's life.
The story of Abraham begins with God giving Abraham an amazing promise: ''I will make of you a great nation'' (Gen. 12:2). The only problem is that Abraham is seventy-five years old (Gen. 12:4) and his wife Sarah is barren (Gen. 11:30).
Some time later, God repeats his promise to Abraham, ''Look up at the sky and count the stars.'' Then God tells Abraham, ''So shall your offspring be'' (Gen. 15:5) What is Abraham's reaction to God's promise? Does he doubt or believe? Genesis 15:6 tells us, Abraham ''believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.''
More time passes. And just when it looks like Abraham and Sarah will never have a son, God's promise is fulfilled. They name their long-awaited boy Isaac (Gen. 21:1-3).
Years later, Abraham's story takes ...
Series: Romans:The Gospel of God
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 4:1-8; James 2:14-26
For what does the Scripture say? ''Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteous-ness'' (Rom. 4:3).
A CONTRADICTION?
There appears to be a contradiction between Romans 4 and James 2 regarding how Abraham was justified. Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith. James says that Abraham was justified by works.
- ''To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness'' (Rom. 4:5).
- ''Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?'' (James 2:21).
Do Paul and James contradict each other? Are we justified by faith or works? These questions are not just for theologians to debate. These questions affect our belief in the trustworthiness of the Bible and our understanding of how we can be justified. What's more important than that?
MAKING SENSE OF PAUL AND JAMES
In order to properly understand what Paul and James are saying about justification, faith, and works, we need to know two things.
First, we need to know the chronology of Abraham's life.
The story of Abraham begins with God giving Abraham an amazing promise: ''I will make of you a great nation'' (Gen. 12:2). The only problem is that Abraham is seventy-five years old (Gen. 12:4) and his wife Sarah is barren (Gen. 11:30).
Some time later, God repeats his promise to Abraham, ''Look up at the sky and count the stars.'' Then God tells Abraham, ''So shall your offspring be'' (Gen. 15:5) What is Abraham's reaction to God's promise? Does he doubt or believe? Genesis 15:6 tells us, Abraham ''believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.''
More time passes. And just when it looks like Abraham and Sarah will never have a son, God's promise is fulfilled. They name their long-awaited boy Isaac (Gen. 21:1-3).
Years later, Abraham's story takes ...
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