two kinds of works

Scripture is clear that justification is by faith, not by works.

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." - Romans 3:28 (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." - Galatians 2:16 (KJV)

Scripture is also clear that justification is by faith and works, not by faith alone.

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." - James 2:24 (KJV)

the law of noncontradiction states that 'one cannot say of something that it is and that it is not in the same respect and at the same time' (aristotle). to this end, 'to suppose God to have contrary wills towards the same object, is a contradiction; but it is not so, to suppose Him to have contrary wills about different objects' (edwards).

it is a contradiction to say that justification is not by works yet by works in the same respect and at the same time. however, it is not a contradiction to say that justification is not by works in one sense yet by works in another sense. this is the position i wish to take.

justification is not by works in one sense

justification is not by works of the law.

under the Old Covenant, justification was bottom up and external. the only way to approach God was by abiding in Jewish law, with the Jewish high priest as mediator.

under the New Covenant, justification is top down and internal. the only way to approach God is by abiding in Christ (who did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them), with Jesus the Great High Priest as mediator.

therefore, justification in this day and age is by faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law.

justification is by works in another sense

justification is by works of faith.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

By the grace God has given me... (v10)

firstly, works of faith should be in accordance with the grace God has given to each one of us (and God gives grace to each one of us, not just some of us).

for example, God gives some of us the grace to be married and some of us the grace to be single. those of us who have the grace to be married should work out our salvation in accordance with being married, while those of us who have the grace to be single should work out our salvation in accordance with being single.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (v11)

secondly, works of faith flow from faith in Christ alone. by definition, works which do not flow from faith in Christ alone are not works of faith, whatever else they may be.

If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (v14-15)

finally, works of faith have eternal value. to be sure, God does not judge us on what we do not do with what we do not have. however, God does judge us on what we do with what we have.