K066. Will Jesus say that all our works are only justification before men?

Many preachers said that Jesus would not care if we do any works for Him because He would just want us to think of Him or believe Him. They said we are justified by faith only, and therefore all our works are only justification before men. They said this because they think that Jesus would never consider any work that we do for Him or do in His name based on these verses:
Mat 7:20-24 KJV .. (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ..

I will tell them, Of course, Jesus would care if we have the works or fruits from doing the will and commandments of God. Why won't Jesus care? Yes, we are not justified by works of the law, but if the works can show the fruits of our hearts, they are not considered as the works of the law.
Jas 2:23-26 KJV  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.  (24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  (25)  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  (26)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
However, the works of the law in Pharisees' time were mostly corrupted, perverted, and hypocritical religious works. Hence, here James is not talking about the works of the law by the Pharisees. I would never say that James was wrong or that his letters are less important because he is not a grace preacher..

Did James talk about justification of faith before men only ?
I will ask them, How can you say that James' letter about faith with works is only for justification before men? Please think, When James called you a 'vain' man because you have no work (of faith), what does it mean? It means that you are judged by the Apostle as an ignorant or foolish man. Can you pretend that it is ok for you because you are only concerned about justification before God? No. When James rebuked those who would only want to show their faith without any work, he was talking about justification of faith before God too. Please read James 2:26 again. What did he mean when he said, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"? It means spiritual also. For as faith without works is dead, so the tree without fruit is dead too; or the church without works is dead too.
They will still argue, "Did you read James 2:18? It says: James 2:18 KJV Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Isn't this justification of works by a man before men, or before you and me?"

I will tell them, Please continue to read on. James said,
Jas 2:17-20 KJV  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  (19)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
The devil believes only (without the works). Was he judged before men, or before God? No, the devil is condemned before God; not men. Therefore, if James said that you are a vain man without the works, he was very likely rebuking you or judging you before God; not before men.

Did Paul talk about justification of faith only (without works)?
Ok. let us now look at the letters of Paul. Did Paul say that our work (of faith) is only for justification before men. No, on the contrary, he confirmed that work of faith like the labour of love is still justification (worthiness) or acceptance in the sight of God too:
1Th 1:2-3 KJV  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;  (3)  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
2Th 1:11 KJV  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
I could not remember if Paul did say "we are saved by faith only (and full stop)" or "we are justified by faith alone". So, I tried to search for it, but to my surprise, I could find none. So, we could have heard about 'faith only (and full stop)' so frequently from the preachers that we thought it was in the Bible. Yes, Paul did say that the Gentiles were saved by faith only; but he continued and show us that it was only when the Pharisees would argue and impose their law (the law of circumcision or the works of the law) on the Gentiles who had believed.:
Rom 4:8-12 KJV .. (9) .. for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  (10)  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision .. (12)  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
So, Paul said it very clearly, "We are saved by faith only"; but he also continued, "We must also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham". In another words, we must have the works of faith like Abraham's too. Paul had preached like James who said,
Jas 2:20-21 KJV  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Can we lose God's grace just because we work?
Many will still argue, "But Paul told us that if we work, we are no more under grace.."
Rom 4:4-5 KJV  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
I will tell them, Of course, we are justified by grace; not by works. But after we are justified by grace or faith, there must be works or fruits. Otherwise, how can we be justified (before men and God). Of course, we cannot work for faith or grace, but we can certainly work out of faith. In another words, there must be work of faith (or work out of faith) in a believer too. There must be doing of His words or bearing of His fruits after being justified by grace too. Similarly Paul explained that we cannot work for our salvation; but we can certainly work out of our salvation too. Otherwise (in the language of James), salvation is dead without works too!
Php 2:12-13 KJV  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Please read the above again, is it before men or God? Of course, it is still before Him. Paul said, ".. not as in my presence only .. (but before God too)."

That's why James complimented what Paul preached. Paul focused on faith and grace; but James preached the work of faith and the fruits of His words or commandments. We would be foolish if we compare Paul with James and conclude that Paul was a wiser preacher than James just because Paul was a grace preacher, and therefore, say that we will listen only to the grace preachers:
Jas 3:13-18 KJV  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom .. (17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  (18)  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Jas 2:8 KJV  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Ok, now we agree that Paul focus more on the root (eg. faith or grace); whilst James more on the fruit or work. So, we may keep arguing that one is more important than the other. Some may say that the root is more important because believing right will lead to right believing. It is like the chicken and egg problem. We can argue until the cow comes home. But in the eyes of God, which one is more important TODAY? The chicken or the eggs? The root or the fruit? Faith or works of faith? Of course, both are important. The chicken and the egg problem was a God's problem: Before the creation, God had to choose which one to create first. But TODAY, it is not a problem. If we are foolish, we would keep arguing about it forever. But if we ask the children today to choose between the chicken (drumsticks) and the eggs, they will tell you. "Don't waste time; we want both!"

Do we still argue about the importance of the root or the fruit? Jesus said, "By their fruits, ye shall know them .." In another words, by their fruits, we can judge them. I don't wish to say much; you know why the fruit is important too. So, what's the problem if the church would go for the fruit? Can anyone of us become the Pharisees because of producing or getting too much fruit? No, it would be ridiculous to falsely accuse all the churches for teaching and studying on the fruit and the work according to the words of God.

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