>>> James was just explaining what Jesus plainly said in Mathew 25 the parable of the sheep and goats where the goats go to hell because they did no works of faith and the sheep went into Gods kingdom because they did the works of faith.
This is not what the passage says. It does not say that that they were sheep because they did the works. It says that they were righteous and that the works followed.
The passage you refer to is Matthew 25:31-46.
On a first reading it is understandable how the works described (feeding,clothing,nursing, etc.) can easily be interpreted as the reason why one group is rewarded and the other group is cast out... but what most people miss here is what happens first in verses 32 and 33.;
The first thing God does is gather the righteous (sheep) on his right, and the unrighteous on his left (goats).
First and foremost, it is critical to understand that THROUGHOUT scripture, only those who are IN CHRIST are considered righteous. Without His blood covering our sin, we are NOT SEEN AS RIGHTEOUS.
Now... In verse 37, we see that the "righteous" (who have already been separated out in one group) are NOT AWARE of the works they did which are depicted!
Isn't that interesting???
THEY DON'T REMEMBER DOING THE GOOD WORKS!...
The unrighteous as well, claim ignorance as to the things that they were supposed to have done... and in similar passages we see where the unrighteous even point out the things they do remember doing which they considered "righteous" ("Lord Lord... did we not do xyx?").
This should tell us something about the nature of what "faith works" really are... they are those works which are LED by the Holy Spirit. Those who are trying to prove their righteousness by "doing good works" are not really doing them for the recipient or God, but rather to be seen by others (and/or God) as being righteous. It is out of this spirit which God will say "You already have your reward".
Jesus also said I am the vine, and you are the branches... apart from me you can do nothing.
THEREFORE... when we see in James 2:18 where it says
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
What is being said is that true "works" are a PRODUCT of faith (righteousness), and that reversing the order (i.e. works generating righteousness) is futile... fruitless... and empty.
Righteousness MUST come first, and that can only come through Jesus to us through our faith in HIM and not our own works.
One final note... When we speak of works being evidence of our faith, let us consider WHO that evidence is for!
Is the evidence being presented to prove something to God? or to prove something to your fellow man? If you are intentionally "presenting the evidence" yourself, are you really being led by the Spirit???
And there is the real rub... for I'm sure it is quite easy to prove to others that you are righteous... that you are a man or woman of God... and that you will surely be seen in heaven... but when the actual judgement comes, will you be allowed those character witnesses who were fooled by your good works???
I think not.
THEY DON’T REMEMBER DOING THE GOOD WORKS!...
That was said to make us understand what the parable was all about.
The ones who did the works Jesus said to do are the ones who went into Gods kingdom.
Paul said that the works of the law does not save, it is easy for people who read this for the first time to fail to distinguish the works of the law from the works of faith.
Those who preach that we need not do what Jesus said to do are preaching false doctrine.
James 2
14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? 15 And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: 16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? 17 So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
Any one can say they have faith but that does not mean they have any.
Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
John 15:14
“You are My friends if you do what I command you.
John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 14:21
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
The commandments are first.......
1 John 2:4
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
There goes the faith....