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 do not save us.

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, does not truly have faith. 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.

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