JUSTIFICATION by works: T.S. Dalton Therefore it must be a fact that James speaks of the declarative justification, and for this reason he can make the demand, “Show me thy faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works,” not to produce faith by works, but show it, manifest it.
The idea is, Let me see such signs of it, that, in the judgment of charity (not infallibility) I may pronounce upon it, as the Lord did upon Abraham’s, when he said, “Now I know that thou fearest God.”
The only way we have of showing that our faith is in God, to our brethren and friend that surround us, is by our works. Therefore by our works we are justified in the sight of our brethren, and by our works we are condemned in their eyes. (Zions Advocate Oct. 1897)