Hey there, fellow seekers of truth! Today, let’s dive right into one of the juiciest debates among believers: faith versus works, and the whole shebang about which parts of the Bible are relevant to us today.
This post today is inspired by a sister in Christ that shared some dialogue today on this very topic.

So, picture this: you’re flipping through your Bible, and you stumble upon passages like Hebrews and James. Now, some folks might say, “Hey, these were written to specific groups—Hebrews for the Jews and James for the 12 tribes of Israel. So, they don’t really apply to us, right?” Well, hold onto your hats, because it’s not that cut and dry.

Sure, Hebrews might’ve been penned with Jewish believers in mind, and James was definitely dropping wisdom bombs on the Israelite crowd. But here’s the kicker: the underlying messages in these books—whether it’s about the supremacy of Christ in Hebrews or the inseparable link between faith and works in James—speak volumes to all of us, no matter where we come from.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;”
(Hebrews 1:1-2)

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
(James 2:14-26)

Now, let’s talk turkey about faith and works. You’ve got James over here, waving his flag for works, saying, “Show me your faith by your actions!” And then you’ve got Paul chiming in, championing faith as the key to salvation. It’s like a friendly game of ping pong between the apostles, but guess what? They’re actually on the same team.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
(James 2:18)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Think of it like this: faith and works are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other. It’s like trying to bake a cake with just flour and no sugar, you need both to make it sweet. So, when James talks about faith without works being dead, he’s not throwing shade at faith. He’s just saying, “Hey, if you’ve got the real deal, it’s gonna show in how you live your life.”

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

And let’s not forget about the whole “who’s in the club” debate. Are we talking exclusive membership for the Hebrews, or is there room for us Gentiles at the table too? Well, spoiler alert: we’re all invited to the party. Paul paints this beautiful picture of Gentile believers being grafted into the olive tree of Israel, becoming part of God’s family tree. It’s like a big ol’ family reunion where everyone’s welcome with open arms.

“And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”
(Romans 11:17-24)

At the end of the day, whether you’re flipping through Hebrews, jamming to James, or binging on Paul’s letters, the message is loud and clear: we’re all in this together. So, let’s keep the faith, put in the work, and remember that the story of God’s love isn’t just for the chosen few, it’s for all of us, no matter where we’re from or what we’ve done.

Keep shining bright, my friends, and keep the conversation going. After all, that’s what makes this journey so darn exciting.

Until next time, peace out and keep the faith alive!