One of the reasons there is so much controversy concerning the subjects of grace, works, and justification is that there are verses which apparently contradict as to whether a person is or is not justified by his works. The following verses make the statement that a person is not justified by his works: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16). For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Romans 4:2). The following verses, which seem to contradict, tell us that we are justified by our works: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:21,24). For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (Romans 2:13). We saw previously that every verse must agree with every other verse in the Bible, for there can be no contradictions. Therefore these verses which apparently contradict must be interpreted so that they agree. Remember that justification is the opposite of condemnation. This can be shown in Matthew 12:37, where Jesus says, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:11:17 +0000
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