19/09/2019
I was very happy Dr. Melton have this in writing for many of our people have gone to Hyper-Dispensation, thinking that James was for the Tribulation Period.
THE TRUTH ABOUT JAMES 2:24
James 2:24 says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
I realize the tribulation/Jewish context of the book of James, but much of the book is also very practical and is very applicable to the life of today's Christian. James 2:24 is a fine example.
This is one of the most misunderstood verses in all the Bible. Taken out of context regularly by Campbellites and Charismatics, the verse is used to teach that a man cannot be saved by grace through faith alone, although Ephesians 2:8-9 states that he can. According to these perpetual novices, it is faith plus works that justifies a man before God, and not faith only. The trouble with this private interpretation is that the context is NOT referring to a man’s position BEFORE GOD, but rather his position before his fellow man. A careful reading of the whole chapter, especially beginning at verse fourteen, makes this clear. The point of the passage is that genuine faith will produce some genuine works, and that one’s FELLOW MAN will see these works and know that it’s real. If he sees no works, then he knows he’s dealing with a hypocrite.
The whole passage deals with our testimony and fruit before men. That’s why verse twenty-four says “Ye see then HOW that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” It’s not a general statement that men are justified by works, but rather a SPECIFIC statement on HOW a Christian is justified before his fellow man by having works that prove his faith. HOW is a man justified before God? Obviously by being washed in the blood of Christ. HOW is a man justified before his fellow man? "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." No lost person will ever see the works of a Christian and say, "That man is really washed in the blood of Christ!" However, he might very well say, "That man really lives it. He's no hypocrite." That's the context of James 2.
"Ye see then HOW that by works a man is justified (before MAN) . . .
. . and not by faith only." (before GOD)
It's not a doctrinal statement about salvation; it's a practical statement about the testimony of the believer in this world. That's HOW a man is justified by works.
SO! Not only are the heretics wrong for using James 2:24 to teach a works-based salvation; many of the brethren are wrong for applying the entire book to the tribulation as though it applies to nothing going on today. James 2 applies to everything going on today in the lives of every believer on the planet.
