Mormon Problems with James and Ephesians

MORMON PROBLEMS
WITH JAMES AND EPHESIANS

This article contrasts works with faith.

Mormons often quote the epistle of James as proof that works are required in order to obtain salvation. However, they misunderstand the Bible. James is not contradicting what Paul says in Ephesians when he stresses that salvation is by faith alone, without works, and nor is Paul contradicting James. Firstly, here is what Paul says:

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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, KJV)

Paul is saying that we cannot be saved by our good works, only by Christ, through faith in Him and in His sacrifice on our behalf. So there will be absolutely nothing we can boast about. Christ did it all, and He will get all the glory, not us, our church or our prophets. Nevertheless, Christ saved us in order that we should do good works. In other words, salvation puts the desire into one's heart to do the works of God. But those works are not what saves us. Rather, good works are the natural consequence of salvation.

This is what James says:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. (James 2:14-18, KJV)

James is saying that the man who says he has faith in Christ, but who doesn't exhibit a changed heart regarding the plight and the suffering of those around him, is not exhibiting the natural outcome of salvation. Saving faith in Christ results in spiritual regeneration, which is evidenced by a changed or transformed lifestyle. When the Spirit of Christ indwells you, you will have the desire to do the works of God. In other words, your good deeds will prove that you do indeed have saving faith. But nowhere does James say that those good deeds are actually the catalyst for salvation. Rather, he says that works "prove" faith, which is a different matter altogether.

GRACE AND WORKS

The LDS church has it the other way around, i.e. works followed by salvation, rather than salvation evidencing itself in works. They insist that one can only attain salvation through membership of their church and faith in their prophet Joseph Smith; and that we have to earn the right to forgiveness of our individual sins through obedience to their laws and ordinances (which includes full tithing, participation in temple ceremonies, serving the LDS church, etc.) And then only, after we have done all that we can do, will God save us by grace:

For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23). (Editor's italics)

But the Bible says that if we earn it, then it's not grace, as in that case we would deserve it and have a right to it. Granting someone salvation by grace means that they're receiving something they haven't earned. It's is a merciful gift:

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work (Romans 11:6, KJV)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us ..... (Titus 3:5, KJV)

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.(Galations 2:16, KJV)

CONCLUSION

Mormons are sometimes under the false impression that Christians believe that because they are saved and all their sins are forgiven, they can live carelessly without fear of judgment. But nothing could be further from the truth. The following teaching by Martin Luther throws some light on the controversy from the Christian standpoint:

We do not then reject good works; nay, we embrace them and teach them in the highest degree. It is not on their own account that we condemn them, but on account of this impious addition to them and the perverse notion of seeking justification from them. It is not from works that we are set free by the faith of Christ, but from belief in works, that is from foolishly presuming to seek justification through works. Faith redeems our consciences, makes them upright, and preserves them, since by it we recognize the truth that justification does not depend on our works, although good works neither can nor ought to be absent...(Concerning Christian Liberty. Found in Luther's Primary Works (London: Hodder and Stroughton, 1896), Henry Wace and C.A. Buchheim Ed., pp. 275-288).

The following link leads to an article that highlights the vast difference between Mormon salvation and salvation by Christ:

Mormonism's Individual Salvation Falls Short