There’s a scriptural passage that seems to contradict the belief that it’s faith alone that justifies and saves. Protestants, of course, have developed that doctrinal belief from such scripture as John 3: 16 (whoever believes in Him won’t perish); Acts 16: 31 (believe in Jesus to be saved); Ephesians 2: 8 (by grace, we’re saved by faith); and many other verses.

However, James 2: 24 says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

I think it’s the word “justified” that throws us off. Most of us correctly use it in terms of being declared righteous by God. However, James, inspired by God, also uses it in terms of a faith that is demonstrated. By that, he simply fleshes out what faith means in its practical, applied wholeness; what it looks like in our everyday living.

We biblically define faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1-3). In unpacking that definition, I agree with writer and retired Pastor Jack Sequeira. He breaks down that definition into three practical terms. Faith is (1) having knowledge, (2) believing in that knowledge, and (3) acting on that belief.

That’s what James is getting at. He’s not arguing against the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. He’s not saying that works alone results in salvation. He just wants us to understand that faith is more than “knowing” and “believing.” He is saying that if faith is a genuine, salvation experience in Christ, it will be complete and alive. It will automatically translate into action.

In other words, James preaches the inevitable outcome of faith; that is, that works are integral to faith and are faith’s natural fruit. Works based on belief demonstrate that we are right with God.

Finally, James clearly makes his point. He says that without works, faith/belief – alone by itself – is of no avail; for it doesn’t exist (James 2: 17, 20).