Grace vs Works and Mormonism

Grace VS Works

The point James is making is this, if you have genuine faith then your heart is right with the Lord and it should show in your life.
Those that think they are saved by works should take a good look at 2:9-10 according to James one sin makes you guilty of all.
Considering that the wages of sin is death Rom.6:23 this paints a grim picture. Then in 2:14 James ask a very important
question. " What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" The answer
to this question is no! As James goes on to show faith without works is dead. In other words if you have genuine faith you
produce fruit. The illustration James used shows Abraham had a genuine faith. This is shown in his obedience to do as the
Lord said. Then in 2:23 "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," His righteousness came from
belief. Abraham's belief resulted in obedience.
To say a person is saved by works is like putting the cart before the horse, it just doesn't work. Sheep don't say baaa baaa to
become sheep. They say baaa baaa because they are sheep. We as Christians do not do good works so that we can be
saved. We do good works because we are saved.
Paul used this same illustration with Abraham to show that we are not saved by works.

Rom 4:1-5 "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was
justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham
believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor,
but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as
righteousness"

Some people would argue that man is not saved by faith alone. Then you would be led to James 2:24

James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

At first glance this can almost seem to prove their point. However we must remember that if other scripture seems to contradict
the passage being looked at then it needs further investigation. Remember what Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of
works, that no one should boast.

This passage seems clear that works is not part of what saves us. So how does that tie in with James 2:24?
There are actually two separate issues here. James said man is justified by works. He did not say man is saved by works.
Saved means rescued or delivered.

Lets look at the definition of this Greek word translated as justified in our bible.

Justified, (Thayer's Definition of Biblical Words)
1344 dikaioo-
1) to render righteous or such he ought to be
2) to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as
he is and wishes himself to be considered
3) to declare, to pronounce one to be just, righteous, or
such as he ought to be

I had to look up "evince" it means ( to constitute outward evidence of) Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 10th Edition

James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that
faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
"And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. You see that
a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

Take notice of the two different words used here. Believed and justified have different meanings.

Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,"
Was not Abraham our father justified by works,

Abraham's belief is where he was declared righteous. He was "saved" by his belief not his works. Eph.2:8:9.

Abraham was "justified" by his works. Part of the definition of justified is to show outward evidence of. This fits the context of
what James was saying. When examining James 1:22- 2:26, Rom 4:1-5 and Eph.2: 8-9 closely we find that the following three
statements are true.

Abraham was saved by faith alone.
Abraham was justified by works.
Abraham was not justified by works alone.

James explained how Abraham’s works and faith worked together showing justification before men. This is the evidence
before man that one really is saved. James shows the fruit of justification while Paul shows the root of it. Paul showed that
justification before God was not by works in Rom. 4:1-5 & Titus 3:5. Yet in Eph.2:8-10 Paul states that we were created for
good works that we should walk in them. Both Paul and James mention that Abraham was declared righteous because of his
belief. Both James and Paul declare that we should have good works. James shows the fruit or evidence before men.
While Paul shows we are saved before God because of our belief and God's mercy.

Some have said we are saved by faith to begin with when we first accept the Lord. Then after this point we are saved by or
actions. This is irrational thinking. The Bible tells us that Christ died for our sins 1 Cor.15:3 and the blood of Jesus His Son
cleanses us from all sin IJn 1:7. Now I ask you how many sins had you committed when Christ died for them 2000 years ago?
None of them right? They were all in the future. Which sins does the blood of Christ cover? The Bible says ALL sin. Since all
of our sins were paid for on the cross before we were born. How could we now after accepting the Lord be saved by our works?

Paul also addressed this issue.
Gal 2:20-3:3
(20)"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
(21) "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
(Ch.3vs.1)You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
(2) This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
(3) Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (see also Gal.5:1-6)

Paul here is very clear that we are saved by grace. He even states that if this were not so then Christ died for nothing. He
considered the idea of after receiving the Lord to then be perfected by works foolishness. There is another statement Paul
made, that some people misunderstand thinking we are saved by works. While reading it keep in mind what he said here in
Galatians chapter 2 &3.

Phil 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Is Paul contradicting himself here? No not at all. In this same letter he said:
Phil 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."..........

Phil 1:27-29 "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain
absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no
way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too from God. For to
you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"

There are a couple of views of this and I believe both are correct and applicable to the context. First of all Paul declared in this
letter that the Lord is the one that began this good work in them. He then admonished them to conduct themselves in a worthy
manner just as we seen that James did in his letter. By Paul saying work out your own salvation he was encouraging them to
live in a manner worthy of their salvation. It is important that you recognize he said "work out your salvation" Paul did not
say "work for you salvation" Perhaps it might be easier understood like this. You have a body, and when you exercise your
body it is called a work out. You are working out your body. When you are already saved and you continue to live in a manner
worthy of the Lord, you are working out your salvation. You are not working for your salvation.

The second view is that since salvation also means deliverance Paul was telling them through Christ to work through their
hardships. By the Phillipian church standing firm in one spirit it was a sign of destruction to their opponents. It was also a sign
that they were saved. The same as James was saying in his letter their works was the sign that they were saved. It was
important that they stood firm even in hard times. As Paul said they were" granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in
Him, but also to suffer for His sake"

We are saved by faith not works. But good works should be very important to the true believer. Remember what Jesus said
"why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46

Following is some related scripture that shows we are saved by grace not works for those that would like to look into this
further. Gen. 15:6,Matt19:23-29, Luke 7:49-50, Luke8:11-15, Acts 15:8-11, Acts 16:30-31, Rom. 3:19-28, Rom.4:4-5,
Rom. 8:8, Rom 10:9, Rom 10:13, Rom. 11:6.

The writings from church leaders in the first couple of centuries are not scripture. They are however helpful in determining if the
Church has changed any major doctrine or the interpretation of scripture.
The following quotes can be found in:
THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS by Rev. Alexander Robertd, D.D., and James Donaldson, LL.D., editors, Translations of the
Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) 1989.
Polycarp, c.69-c.155, bishop of Smyrna, and disciple of the Apostle John.

THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS, CHAP.I & II
our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] “whom God raised froth the dead, having loosed the
bands of the grave.” “In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
glory; “ into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that “by grace ye are saved, not of works,” but by the will of God through
Jesus Christ. “Wherefore, girding up your loins,” “serve the Lord in fear” and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty
talk and error of the multitude, and “believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,”
and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject.

Clement I, d. AD 101, called Clement of Rome, he was the bishop of Rome, c.92 to 101
He was also a companion to both Peter and Paul, Phil.4:3
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS .CHAP. XXXII.
And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or
understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the
beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Clement I, d. AD 101, called Clement of Rome, he was the bishop of Rome, c.92 to 101.
He was also a companion to both Peter and Paul, Phil.4:3
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF THE BLESSED CLEMENT THE DISCIPLE OF PETER THE APOSTLE CHAP. II
For not by eloquence or renown, by station and descent, or by beauty or strength, or by length of life, is the kingdom of heaven
obtained; but it is obtained by the power of faith, when a man exhibits the works of faith. For whosoever is truly righteous, his
works testify concerning his faith, that he is truly a believer, with a faith which is great, a faith which is perfect, a faith which is in
God, a faith which shines in good works, that the Father of all may be glorified through Christ.