Justification by works

• The biblical basis for this belief is the New Testament letter of James. The author pointed out that:

  • faith on its own is useless
  • faith is expressed through works
• 'Faith on its own is useless' as shown in the letter of James:

  • It doesn't keep a poor person warm
  • Even demons believe in God
• 'Faith is expressed through works' as shown in the letter of James:

  • This was seen in Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son for God
  • It was also seen in the protection of Joshua's spies by a prostitute in order to assist the Israelite conquest of Jericho
• Many Christians accept the need for works because of Jesus' teaching in the parable of the sheep and the goats:

  • Judgement will be based on the individual human's help for or failure to help those in need
  • No mention is made of faith; indeed the judgement being carried out is universal; 'before him will be gathered all nations'
• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also stressed the importance of doing gods will