Elder James was balancing Paul's emphasis on faith by declaring, as Paul did also, that faith and works go together. If righteous, holy, and obedient works do not accompany faith, faith is dead. Works are the life of faith. No human being will be saved by a dead faith.

At this point the serious student may remind us of the seventh chapter of Romans. Isn't it true that the righteous deeds we would do, we do not perform, and the wickedness we choose to not do, we are compelled to do?

Isn't it true also that the Law of Moses, particularly the Ten Commandments, killed us by revealing the wickedness we practice continually?

This is what the Spirit of God directed Paul to write.

But let us look closely at what is being taught.

In the previous chapter (Romans, Chapter Six), Paul had warned us sternly that if they continue to practice sin, saved, baptized Christians will die spiritually. The believer must choose to serve righteousness. If he chooses to serve God, the end result is a holy life. If he attains a holy life, the result is eternal life.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Romans 6:22).

So it is obvious that Paul would not state in the next chapter of Romans that it is impossible for us to live a righteous life. This would be inconsistent after what he taught throughout Chapter Six.

Well then, what is Paul teaching in Chapter Seven of the Book of Romans?

First, let us recall that he is speaking to Jewish Christians in Rome who were being tempted, as were the Christians in Galatia, to combine the Law of Moses with the Gospel of Christ.

Know ye not, brethren, for I speak to them that know the law, how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (Romans 7:1).

The seventh chapter of Romans is addressed to Jewish Christians, or to those who have been influenced by them, and is explaining that the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ are not to be mixed. Adding the works of the Law, such as circumcision, to the Gospel will not strengthen the believer. It will cause him to turn his eyes away from Christ and attempt to save himself by the works of the Jewish Law.

The argument in the seventh chapter is not attempting to persuade Christians that there is no point in repentance, in righteous living, in striving to please God and be obedient to God. Paul is not claiming that the Christian is doomed to walk in the sins of the flesh. This would deny his statements in the sixth and eighth chapters of Romans, as well as in many other passages.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1).

In the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul is reasoning with the Jews concerning the effectiveness of the Gospel as compared with the Law of Moses. Paul is showing that the Law of Moses does not provide a satisfying solution to the problem of sin.

To be continued.