Salvation is by Faith or by Work ; Paul vs James

There is confusion in the body of Christ today, on Justification by Faith between Apostle Paul and James, whether they both contradict each other ?

Romans 3:28  For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

The apostle Paul teaches us that there is absolutely no way to earn merit, favor with God or a place in heaven.  When we turn to God and believe, He forgives us solely based on what Jesus did on the cross.  Trusting in Him we are given the gift of righteousness before God and power for living.

Jas 2:24  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

The apostle James emphasized the joint role of faith and… actions… working together. Faith is the force behind the deed. The deed is the finality of the faith. James was saying that how we live eventually reveals whether we have received that saving faith in the first place. “A tree is judged by its fruits”

Take the two statements :
1) "Napoleon was a very big man" and
2) "Napoleon was not a big man; he was a small man."

At first glance, these two sentences appear contradictory. The word "big" is equivocal, though. It can mean two different things. Napoleon was a big man regarding his impact in history, but was small in physical size. Consult any dictionary and you'll discover that virtually every word has more than one meaning.

The word "justify" is no different. It has two meanings, not just one. In addition to "absolve, declare free of blame," it can also mean "to demonstrate or prove to be just, right or valid; to show to be well founded." In the case of salvation, the first is the cause; the second is the effect. This second definition is what is usually in view when we use the word "justify" in English. "Justify your position," we say. We're asking for evidence; we want proof.

The Bible frequently uses this sense of the word, too. Jesus taught that a person's true nature will be evident in his conduct:
Mat 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Mat 12:36  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Jesus teaches here that the man with good treasure brings forth good fruit, which "justifies" him. This external display demonstrates the quality of the man within. This is not justification in the sense of salvation. One's words don't absolve him (first definition). Rather, they bear testimony of the inner man (second definition).

Now we face a key question. Which definition did James have in mind? How do we know when he uses the word "justify," that James is not referring to salvation--as Paul clearly is--but rather is pointing to the proof of salvation?

This is remarkably simple to determine. The cause must come before the effect. Salvation must come first, before it can be evidenced in a changed life.

When Paul makes his case for justification by faith, he cites the beginning of Abraham's walk with God in Genesis 15:5-6: "And He took him outside and said, 'Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness."

The justification James has in mind comes much later in Abraham's life, recorded in Genesis 22:12: "And he said, 'Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.'"

Paul and James are cite two different times in Abraham's life, events separated by 25 years. They can't be referring to the same thing.

The works of Abraham that James mentions were a result of justification which came by faith a quarter of a century earlier. Abraham was not being saved again. Rather, he was showing evidence of his salvation. He was being confirmed in the justification by faith that had already been accomplished years before.

Abraham's faith was no passive, intellectual exercise. He proved his faith to God. The words of the text show this to be true: "Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." God witnessed Abraham's faith first-hand, as it were. It was demonstrated. That's why James concludes, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'"

James speaks to the man who is all talk and no action. His simple message is that true salvation always proves itself. That's why he asks, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" The apostle John echoes the same sentiment: "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."

One Coin, Two Sides

James and Paul go together. Like two sides of the same coin, they don't conflict with each other; they complement each other. Both teach us something vital. Paul looks at what goes on internally when a man is saved; James talks about the external results. Paul says, "We're saved by faith." James says, "This is what saving faith looks like."