• James 2:20-26
    But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
     
  • Romans 3:20
    Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
     
  • Galatians 2:16
    knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
     
  • Romans 2:13
    (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
     
  • Romans 3:28-31
    Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
     
  • James 2:18
    But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
     


Related Scriptures

  • Matthew 5:17-20
    "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
     

For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Justification by Works


Resources

Who Claimed Works Justify?

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

Martin Luther, feeling 'God's' (the Catholic church's) standards were too hard to obey, found solace in Romans 1:17 and the idea of 'faith alone.'


Faith Without Works

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Three times, James states, 'Faith without works is dead!' Here's how James' teaching agrees with and complements the teaching of Paul on justification.


Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham.


Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We have been called, not just to believe in Christ, but also to overcome sin, which takes a great deal of effort. Justification requires a response.


On Works

Sermon by John O. Reid

Works are necessary for a Christian, and have not been neutralized by grace. Good works serve as the evidence of faith; faith without works is dead.


Living By Faith and God's Grace (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

'Grace' is a term that represents God's awesome generosity toward us, His continuously flowing blessings and saving acts. It goes beyond just forgiveness.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A summary of the Covenants, Grace, and Law series, reiterating the differences in the Covenants and the respective places of grace and law in God's purpose.


Is Obedience Required Before Receiving God's Holy Spirit?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997)

Acts 5:32 declares that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him, yet some argue that keeping God's law is not necessary. What is the truth?



For more resources, please see the library topic for Justification by Works