In light of my recent post on James 2:14-26, I have begun to work on some theses regarding faith/deed/justification.  There is a danger, I suppose, in posting these theses prior to working all of them out, but I will begin with this list of five, and then when I add to them, I will up-date the list.  If you have any suggestions along the way are appreciated.

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  1. Faith and works are organically related, and thus they should not be separated.  They are as organic as life and breath.
  2. Though faith and works should not be separated, they are distinguishable.  This is shown in that faith precedes works.  Paul writes in Romans 1:5 regarding an obedience which comes from faith.  Works do not produce faith, but faith produces works. 
  3. Where there is faith there will also be works (Romans 1:5).  If there are no works, then there is no faith.  James writes, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 1:26, NIV).
  4. Works are not the basis of our justification, nor is faith the basis of our justification, on the basis of the grace of God were are declared righteous.  Paul writes, “being freely declared righteous by his grace through the redemption which is in Messiah Jesus” (Romans 3:24).  He also writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV).
  5. The basis of our justification is God’s grace and it will be in keeping with our deeds.  Paul writes, [God] will render to everyone in keeping with his deeds (Romans 2:6).  James writes, “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (James 2:24, NIV).  Jesus states, “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37, NIV).