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Eschatology. This is the theology of 'the last things' and deals with
Immortality, Resurrection, Future Reward and Punishment, The Millennium and
kindred themes.
Works v. Faith. 'Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not
by faith only' (Jas. 2:24).
Is the testimony of James a contradiction of the teaching of Paul?
Some say that it is, and sweep it aside. 'No', say others, 'James was not
ministering the gospel of grace; his readers were the 'Circumcision; they
were justified by works!' This is equally disastrous, for the Scriptures
have declared that 'by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in
His sight'.
The key to the problem is found in two facts:
(1)
Justification by faith, as taught in Romans, finds its basic
Scripture in Genesis 15. Justification by works, as taught in James, finds
its basic Scripture in Genesis 22. Between these two passages Abraham has
been exhorted to 'walk before God, and be perfect', and in Genesis 22, in the
offering of Isaac, his faith was 'tried' and found true.
(2)
The second fact is found in the statement of James 2:22: 'Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect'
('perfect' is the keyword of James' epistle).
Justification as taught by Paul.
Gen. 15:6 and Rom. 4:4-25
(1)
The
Negative. How Abraham Was Not justified.
(a)
Not
by works (Rom. 4:4-8).
(b)
Not
by circumcision (Rom. 4:9-12).
(c)
Not
by law (Rom. 4:13-16).
(2)
The Positive. Abraham Was justified.
(a)
Faith, related to resurrection power (Rom. 4:17).
(b)
Faith, facing human inability (Rom. 4:19).
(c)
Faith related to promise and the Word (Rom. 4:17,18, 20).
(3)
The Personal. -- How may I be justified?
(a)
Not 'for his sake alone'. The analogy of Scripture (Rom. 4:23).
(b)
If we believe (Rom. 4:24).
(c)
Raised again because of our justification (Rom. 4:25).
Justification as taught by James.
(1)
His basis is Genesis 22. Abraham's existing faith was tried and
proved to be genuine by the 'work of faith'. 'Now I know' (Gen.
22:12).
(2)
'Perfect' is in the Greek teleioo. This word is cognate with
telos, which means 'end', in the sense of 'goal' (Rom. 6:21; 1 Cor.
15:24; 1 Tim. 1:5; Jas. 5:11).
To go on unto perfection was to reach one's goal or aim, and is
explained by the language of Philippians 3:12: 'That I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus'.