The Church of God (Cleveland) reads James 2:24 not as contradicting Paul's doctrine of justification by faith but as complementing it. The Wesleyan-Holiness tradition emphasizes that genuine faith necessarily produces works of obedience and love. Justification is by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is a living, obedient faith that bears fruit in moral conduct.

James 2:24 is understood as teaching that works demonstrate the reality and authenticity of faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26) because true saving faith produces transformation and obedience. The Church of God (Cleveland) thus harmonizes James and Paul: Paul teaches that salvation is not earned by works but received by faith; James teaches that this faith manifests itself in works. Works are the evidence and demonstration of justifying faith.