[HarleyD]

Jam 2:14 ¶ What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

You've better balance that with...

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Or this...

Jhn 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

How would you reconcile these seemingly contradictory passages? From our perspective James is saying that works is a natural byproduct of a changed life. How would you interpret Paul and Christ saying that salvation is not of works?

[annalex]

How would you reconcile these seemingly contradictory passages?

Eph 2:8-9 says that works doen for social recognition are not salvific; Jhn 6:28-29 does not speak of salvation at all, but explains that the greatest work is which produces faith. We all agree on both.