Condition or Evidence?

"If faith is not translated into action, by itself, it is dead" (Js 2:17)

"Not any good deed but faith alone saves,"advocates Paul (Eph 2:8,9). But James declares, "Faith without deeds is dead" (Js 2:17). For a casual reader, these statements seem to contradict each other. But it is not so. Here is an example—

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies with peace, was not killed with those who were disobedient" (Heb 11:31). Eventhough the Epistle of Hebrews was written 2000 years after Rahab's birth, she is still called a prostitute. Her life had been so dark. Nevertheless, she was saved by her faith. When two Israelite spies came to Jericho, she hid them under stalks of flax spread on the roof of her house and saved them from their enemies. Obeying the words of the spies, she tied a red rope on a window (Josh 2:21). Certainly her sin was red like crimson. But the slender scarlet string — her simple faith on the Blood of Christ — saved her and her family. Isn't the faith of this non-Jew astonishing? She had the privilege of begetting Boaz the great grandfather of King David. She finds a place in the list of the soldiers of faith in Hebrews 11. Many who were better folks than her failed to enjoy this privilege. Here lies the glory of simple faith!

Apostle James argues, "Was not even Rahab, the prostitute, considered righteous for her good deeds of lodging the spies and sending them off in a different direction?" (Js 2:25). Did Rahab trust the Lord only after her encounter with the spies? No, she had possessed faith even before that: "Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know that the Lord has given this land to you... the Lord your God is God in Heaven above and on the earth below" (Josh 2:8,9,11). What an unshakable faith she had on Jehovah! Yes, her faith in the Lord was already firm. It was as a manifestation of her faith that she accepted the spies, hid and saved them.

We conclude that what Apostle James emphasizes is not deeds to merit God's favour but deeds seen in our lives as an outcome of God's goodness shown to us. Good deeds are not a condition for salvation but an evidence. We are saved not by works but for works! (Eph 2:8-10).

Not the labour of my hands can fulfil Thy Law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone!
                                  (Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778)

Courtesy ; http://www.stanleyonbible.com/dd/11/1117.htm