This week I’ve been reading in the Book of James.  I’ve read it many times before as you probably have too.  I’ve heard it taught many times that receiving righteousness from God is a result of our faith in Jesus Christ.  And I believe it.

So, I thought I’d share a few notes that I jotted down from my reading.  You can read the verses in full from your Bible.

James 2:21-26 

V 21, – Abraham was justified by works – when he offered Isaac up for a sacrifice. However, it was Abraham’s faith in God to provide a sacrifice that enabled him to offer his son.  (Genesis 22:7)  

V 22, – works perfects faith

V 23, – Abraham was made righteous by faith

V 25, – Man is justified by works – not faith alone

V 26, – Faith is dead without works.  It is our works that confirm our faith.

Whatever is dead has no fruit. It doesn’t mean a person isn’t saved; it means they have no fruit to confirm their faith. God sees and knows our heart by the Holy Spirit, but the world knows and sees our heart by our works; how we live.

Matthew 7:19-21 teaches that we are known by our fruit.

In this physical world, there are two kinds of fruit; good fruit and bad fruit.  A peach really tastes good when its fresh and ripe; but not so tasty if spoiled by the elements.  Spiritual fruit is the same way. Our love for one another is sweet; unless the elements of jealousy, envy, conspiracy, resentment, and bitterness reside in our heart and taints the love we offer.

If our heart is filled with the fresh anointing of God then our lives show forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, and also forgiveness, to mention a few. But if we are lacking the refreshing presence of God in our hearts, then our lives will show forth the opposite.

Righteousness is right standing with God, through faith in believing Jesus as our personal Savior.  Justification is our works proving our faith in Jesus Christ, our Salvation.  Our works cannot purchase our Salvation; our works are a result of our Salvation through Jesus.

My purpose is writing about righteousness and justification is to not only show the difference between the two, but also show that they work together.  Let each of us examine our own hearts, asking God for help to keep our hearts and our works pure before Him.