Originally Posted by via_dolorosa
Here is perhaps the greatest source of confusion regarding works. There are two different types of works spoken of in Scripture, one part of the gospel and the other categorically excluded from the gospel. When we are assured that "a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ," (Gal 2:16) this is a reference to strict obervation of the Jewish law, particularly those regarding the remission of sin. One either trusts that Christ died once and for all for sins or one trusts in justification through the law with no middle ground. But when James says that "faith without works is dead," (James 2:17) he is speaking of works of a completely different nature. James, having been taught by the Savior himself, was referring to the riches we are to store up in heaven by our works. While it cannot be said that works earn salvation, it must be said that salvation is not merited by anyone bereft of works, a sure lesson to be gleaned from the parable I quoted in Matthew 25. This isn't a devout observation of the law works, but rather works of charity and the spreading of the everlasting gospel which springs from saving faith. The lesson in Jesus cursing the fig tree that bore no figs, or the parable of the tree that bore no fruit, ought to drive this point home. As James says, a man is justified by works (keeping in mind the kind of works he's referring to) and not faith alone.
LOTS to comment on in this statement, but I will make my responses brief. grin

1. re: "There are two different types of works spoken of in Scripture, one part of the gospel and the other categorically excluded from the gospel." I know of no such distinction. Works are certainly of two types; a) those done by grace with faith in order to please God according to His revealed will; the Bible. b) those done by all the unregenerate/unbelieving who have no faith and thus they are ipso facto sinful. Most sinful works are never done with the intention of gaining salvation. Those with a false profession are most likely to be guilty of those intentions.

2. re: "One either trusts that Christ died once and for all for sins or one trusts in justification through the law with no middle ground." True faith doesn't simply believe in biblical and/or historical facts about Christ and/or His work, but rather and critically important, true faith believes (grasps, clings to, loves, adores, needs, trusts, etc.) the Lord Christ himself as a person; the incarnate Son of God, Lord of All and Redeemer of His sheep. Sandemanianism is a pernicious error! Secondly, the most common error among professing Christians is in fact an admixture of faith and works. This is precisely the focus of Paul's epistle to the Galatians.

Galatians 3:1-3 (ASV) "O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?"

Thus, Paul makes it perspicuously clear that one is justified (divinely declared righteous, once for all) when one believes on Christ with a true saving faith ALONE. This is an antidote to both one who thinks that justification comes by works of the law of any kind, not specifically the Jewish law, OR by an admixture of faith and works.

3. re: "As James says, a man is justified by works (keeping in mind the kind of works he's referring to) and not faith alone." The 'works' which James is referring to are those works which are done by faith and in strict accordance to God's holy commandments, precepts, statues, judgments, testimonies, et al (cf. Ps 119; Rom 7; Eph 2:10).

It is imperative that one correctly understand the word "justified" as used by James. The CONTEXT in chapter two alone should be sufficient to reveal this, e.g., 2:17,26. But even without the context, James cannot be in any way implying that a man is saved by faith AND works for this would be a total contradiction to Paul's teaching in Romans and Galatians and elsewhere. The issue of 'forensic justification' is NOT in view in James chapter 2. A little study of the word "justify(ied)" (Gk: dikaioutai) sheds an enormous amount of light on this matter. This word is used in both the OT and NT in regard to 'revelation; that which is revealed, to show, shown, evidenced by'. A few salient passages should suffice to prove the point: Jer 3:11; Ezk 16:51,52; Matt 11:19; Lk 16:15 and Rom 3:4 where it is used in reference to God. Thus, true saving faith will be shown to be true by good works done by the one professing to believe in Christ. Again, this has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with forensic justification.

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simul iustus et peccator

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