I have been perplexed by what seems to be a contradiction between a verse in the book of Romans and a verse in the book of James. Romans 5:1 reads, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." James 2:21 reads, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" How do you explain this difference?

We learn from the verse in Romans that before God we are justified (or made righteous) only by faith. Faith is the only principle through which we can have peace with God. This peace with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. This wonderful peace with God has been accomplished by the finished work of Christ upon the cross. "Having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20). The basis of faith is God's Word. Faith is believing what God has said in His Word is true. True faith in God means that I believe that Christ died for my sins upon the cross. Faith also believes that there is no more work to be done because Christ cried from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Ephesians 2:8,9 also confirms this: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

We learn from the verses in James that we are justified before men by our works. Faith in itself is invisible to all but God. But the life that Christians live and the works that they do are very visible to men. It is the lives of Christians that demonstrate the reality of their faith. It is the showing of our faith to others that is stressed in the following verses:

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:18-24).

The Holy Spirit is saying through James that if your faith is real then there should be the works to prove it. If you say that you know Christ as your personal Saviour, then your life should show it. There are many today who profess to know the Lord Jesus but there is nothing in their life that justifies or proves it to others.

In conclusion, we find that the book of Romans shows us that faith alone will justify us before God. The book of James shows us that works, the proof of our faith, will justify us before men. "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). The Lord Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).