James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"

The Church of God (Anderson) affirms James 2:24 in the context of Wesleyan-holiness theology. Faith must be accompanied by obedience and the fruit of a renewed life. Salvation is understood as both justification (God's declaration of forgiveness) and sanctification (God's work of transformation), and the latter necessarily flows from the former. James 2:24—'a person is justified by works and not by faith alone'—is read as affirming that the life of faith must bear visible fruit in righteous living.

D.S. Warner and the early Church of God (Anderson) taught that the Spirit-filled life produces holiness and righteousness. Works are not the basis of justification but the necessary evidence of a genuine conversion. The Wesleyan-holiness emphasis on entire sanctification as a subsequent work of grace—a deeper work following initial justification—means that believers are called to increasing degrees of obedience and conformity to Christ. James is cited to show that faith that produces no works is not true faith at all.