The heart of trying to reach the religious world finds a high wall created by those who knowingly teach error. They pour over books like Romans or parts of Ephesians to establish that first into the concept of “works”. In order to teach that man is saved without doing anything, they must change in some way the meaning of works. James says that a man is justified by works (James 2:24). The Corinthians heard, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). Paul writing later about that said the Corinthians were justified (I Cor. 6:11).
Going back to the days of John baptizing people in water for the remission of their sins, Luke writes that those who were baptized, “justified God” (Luke 7:29). Hence by accepting the truth from John and being baptized by him, they affirmed that God’s way was right. Is not James teaching the same thing by saying man is justified by works? He is teaching the very same thing. No argument here that man saves himself by his own plan. Rather a person is justified by doing what God commands.
The idea of commands seems foreign to so much of the teaching being done today both in and out of the church. The follower of Jesus is taught to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith (Heb. 12:2). The end of faith is the salvation of man’s soul (I Peter 1:9). Why then would one lose their way when they come to Heb. 5:9? Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him. If one teaches faith only or grace only, they all believe you must do something. This is why it is hard to reach people unless we can convince them the use of the word “works” refers to one obeying what Christ commands.