21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete,

23 and the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

24 You see, a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route?

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead; so also, faith without works is dead.

I understand what this section can stir up? It seems to contradict what Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.”

“Works” in this context is important. “Works” is defined as “works demanded by and agreeing with the law.” He is saying that obeying the law and doing what it demands does not save you. It’s not by anything you do, that you are saved. Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way to salvation.

James is not speaking of obeying the law. James is speaking of true faith. The fruit that true faith produces. Jesus said, “You’ll recognize them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16) A person who has sincerely surrendered their life to Jesus will be changed as a result.

Several years ago, I heard about a woman named, Karla Faye Tucker, who, while high on drugs, murdered her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend with a pick axe. Found guilty, she was sentenced to death.

While awaiting her trial, a ministry group came to the prison where she was being held. Intrigued by the peace and joy they seemed to have, she snuck a Bible, that she didn’t realize they were giving away, and took it to her cell.

“I opened the Bible and started reading.” [Karla said] “I don’t know how long it took, but I remember that I was kneeling on the floor, crying, asking God to come into my heart and forgive me for what I had done.

I don’t know that I felt forgiven at that point, but I do know I felt love.”[1]

This was a life changed by God’s Spirit. In those moments, she felt the weight of what she had done and of the people she had hurt. Yet, she knew in her heart, God loved her.

[She continued,] “At that moment, He reached down inside of me and ripped out that violence at the very roots and poured himself in.”[2]

“It was God who transformed a hardened murderer to a joyful, gentle young woman.”[3]

Many people came to Christ because of Karla. The change in her was huge and her passion for God contagious. She was executed on February 3, 1998. I believe she went home to Jesus…the love of her life. She had true faith.

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[1] Karla Faye Tucker Set Free, 49

[2] Ibid, 49

[3] Ibid, 24