We often say that man's problem is sin and God's solution is the gospel of Christ... the plan of salvation. Without question, that's exactly what the Bible teaches. Faith is critical to our eternal destiny. What do you believe? Whom do you trust? Do you really love God... consistent with the public presentation of your faith? It is necessary to focus on faith - and especially the “response of faith” that is essential to be saved.
Consider what Ephesians 2:8 says, “...by grace you have been saved through faith..." By grace, [His unmerited favor, undeserved kindness, a chance to be in a right relationship with Him] God offers to sinners the gift of salvation. That offer is based on what Jesus did for us. By faith, we accept or receive the essential underpinnings of that gift. Sounds simple enough.
How does the Bible describe this faith? What is faith? What is involved? Are we talking about simple mental agreement with a set of divine propositions? Are we talking about a feeling that Jesus is your Savior? Is it like warm fuzzies you get when you think of Him and what he did for humanity? Are we talking about trust that produces action always orchestrated in obedience?
These are not just questions or issues for theologians to debate, and these are not mysterious, unanswerable matters. These questions are relevant to the needs of every person who has ever sinned and who now wants to be saved. And, there is an abundance of passages in the New Testament designed to instruct us about what faith is, and how faith behaves in the life of a Christian.
James 2:14-26 says... What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Consider what Ephesians 2:8 says, “...by grace you have been saved through faith..." By grace, [His unmerited favor, undeserved kindness, a chance to be in a right relationship with Him] God offers to sinners the gift of salvation. That offer is based on what Jesus did for us. By faith, we accept or receive the essential underpinnings of that gift. Sounds simple enough.
How does the Bible describe this faith? What is faith? What is involved? Are we talking about simple mental agreement with a set of divine propositions? Are we talking about a feeling that Jesus is your Savior? Is it like warm fuzzies you get when you think of Him and what he did for humanity? Are we talking about trust that produces action always orchestrated in obedience?
These are not just questions or issues for theologians to debate, and these are not mysterious, unanswerable matters. These questions are relevant to the needs of every person who has ever sinned and who now wants to be saved. And, there is an abundance of passages in the New Testament designed to instruct us about what faith is, and how faith behaves in the life of a Christian.
James 2:14-26 says... What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead
Before we explore the details of this text - I think it will help to deal with three fundamental questions: WHAT IS FAITH ...WHAT DOES FAITH DO, and WHAT KIND OF LIFE DOES FAITH PRODUCE ??
WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith is confidence or trust we place in another. When we consider examples of faith as recorded in the Old Testament and recounted in Hebrews chapter 11; when we read what Jesus said about faith, then study the book of Acts, we should be persuaded to this definition: Faith means we are convinced that there is a God; we are persuaded that He knows best, and in regard to Jesus - we believe He is who He claims to be, He has the power to save us - and everything He said about everything is the truth! The next question is...-
WHAT DOES FAITH DO?
The answer can be found in Heb. 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1, NKJV). Faith stands under - that is, faith is THE SUB-STANCE [a solid foundation] of those things we hope for - that's what faith does. And faith convinces us or affords the evidence of things not seen. The third question is...
WHAT KIND OF LIFE DOES FAITH PRODUCE ??
Faith in God and in Christ produces a manner of life that is in harmony with the will of God and Christ. A person's faith, from beginning to end, is active; it produces a particular manner of life, develops and nurtures our character and gives us an anxious and favorable attitude toward every command and requirement of God.
And that's really what James wants to say to us. He wants to be sure Christians understand that the faith that saves is an active, obedient faith. This faith - the faith that saves - disposes us in a friendly and favorable way toward everything God has said. Faith always discovers its' existence in obedience.
James in the 3rd chapter of his epistle, warned about the man who thinks he is religious, but he does not bridle his tongue. Likewise, he warned about the person who is a hearer of the word, but not a doer... and deals with this matter in the plainest possible way.
THE DAILY PRACTICE of living Christian, if you have FAITH ... faith in God, faith in Christ - is very distinctive. It looks a certain way...
- YOU will be a doer.
- YOU will bridle your tongue.
- YOU will not show favoritism.
- YOU will speak and do - as one who will be judged by the perfect righteousness and holiness of God.
Through the book of James there is this emphasis on the activity, the conduct, the behavior of those who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's explore the passage, and see what James has to say about FAITH ONLY.
He tells us eight things about FAITH ONLY:
It does not profit (vss 15-16)
Certainly this tells us something about compassion; about generosity and charity; just telling somebody to be OK, but not giving them the help we are able to give --- that betrays a lack of compassion. That's nothing but empty symbolism. It doesn't help me, and it certainly does no real good for the person who is suffering - when we just walk by and say, “...keep warm and well fed..." That also illustrates FAITH WITHOUT WORKS. If we say we have faith, but there is no expression of it, IT DOES NOT PROFIT anyone. It is nothing but religious hyperbole or lip service to say we have faith, when there is no expression of it in our behavior. Jesus taught this, in Matt. 7:21-23; listen to what He said ... "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Jesus and James agreed that faith, even when confessed and claimed - faith without works does nothing.
It does not save (vs 14)
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” The obvious and implied answer to this is - faith without works will not save you. Does the Bible say anything about "faith only?" It certainly does. It says faith only DOES NOT SAVE ... any questions?
He tells us eight things about FAITH ONLY:
It does not profit (vss 15-16)
Certainly this tells us something about compassion; about generosity and charity; just telling somebody to be OK, but not giving them the help we are able to give --- that betrays a lack of compassion. That's nothing but empty symbolism. It doesn't help me, and it certainly does no real good for the person who is suffering - when we just walk by and say, “...keep warm and well fed..." That also illustrates FAITH WITHOUT WORKS. If we say we have faith, but there is no expression of it, IT DOES NOT PROFIT anyone. It is nothing but religious hyperbole or lip service to say we have faith, when there is no expression of it in our behavior. Jesus taught this, in Matt. 7:21-23; listen to what He said ... "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Jesus and James agreed that faith, even when confessed and claimed - faith without works does nothing.
It does not save (vs 14)
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” The obvious and implied answer to this is - faith without works will not save you. Does the Bible say anything about "faith only?" It certainly does. It says faith only DOES NOT SAVE ... any questions?
Now, you may pick up a religious tract or magazine and over and over it is affirmed that we are saved by FAITH ONLY. You may turn on your television and watch and hear a preacher say this. What is your impression when you compare what these men preach to James 2:14? The only reasonable conclusion must be... they are wrong, and James is right. Faith only, does not save and does not even emanate from God’s plan of salvation (Acts 2:38).
It is dead (vss 17,20,26)
Verse 17... “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Verse 20... "You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" Verse 26 - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
Emphasis don’t you think? James, makes the point by repeating three times it in one paragraph. James tells us that faith without works ... faith only... is dead! Here is something that is written into denominational creeds - this is the mantra of the modern evangelical church; you hear this on religious radio programs all the time - WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH ONLY. James says - faith only is dead! Can you think of any way the Holy Spirit could have worded this - to make it plainer???
It is dead (vss 17,20,26)
Verse 17... “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Verse 20... "You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" Verse 26 - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
Emphasis don’t you think? James, makes the point by repeating three times it in one paragraph. James tells us that faith without works ... faith only... is dead! Here is something that is written into denominational creeds - this is the mantra of the modern evangelical church; you hear this on religious radio programs all the time - WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH ONLY. James says - faith only is dead! Can you think of any way the Holy Spirit could have worded this - to make it plainer???
It cannot be shown (vs 18)
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
The meaning of this verse seems plain enough. Faith is SHOWN; faith is EXPRESSED OR MADE REAL by action. Observers can see the evidence of faith in actions and activities. FAITH ALWAYS DISCOVERS ITS EXISTENCE IN OBEDIENCE. Faith is demonstrated in works.
It is no more than the demons have (vs 19)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
The meaning of this verse seems plain enough. Faith is SHOWN; faith is EXPRESSED OR MADE REAL by action. Observers can see the evidence of faith in actions and activities. FAITH ALWAYS DISCOVERS ITS EXISTENCE IN OBEDIENCE. Faith is demonstrated in works.
It is no more than the demons have (vs 19)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
I have had occasion to talk to people about God and their duty as Christians, and often in such discussions somebody will say... "Well, I believe in God!" And the implication is, that's really all that's necessary. I have not obeyed the gospel; so no repentance - I don't do anything; my life is pretty well lived as I see fit ... I have my vices .... BUT, I absolutely believe in God. James says - so do the demons!
It did not justify Abraham (vs 21, 22)
All through the life of Abraham it is apparent, he heard, believed and obeyed God. He made mistakes, without any doubt. His mistakes are openly documented in the pages of Genesis. But the overwhelming condition and direction of his heart and life was to believe and obey God. In verses 21 and 22 James makes reference to a particular event: when Abraham "offered Isaac his son," and this takes us back to Genesis chapter 22. Read that chapter and notice The verbs ... the words indicating ACTION. Abraham becomes the classic example of a man with faith that produces works.
At this point it might be helpful to consider Romans chapter four. In Roman 4:19-21 Paul says of Abraham... Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Notice how Paul describes the faith of Abraham... “he did not waver through unbelief...” Ask yourself this: IS PAUL DESCRIBING A DISOBEDIENT MAN? Abraham was "not weak in faith... he did not waver... he was strengthened in faith and was fully persuaded." Is this a description of a man with dead faith?
It is imperfect (vs 22)
Verse 22 - You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. All right - if by works, faith is made complete [perfect]... when there are no works, then faith is always going to be incomplete [imperfect].
It is imperfect (vs 22)
Verse 22 - You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. All right - if by works, faith is made complete [perfect]... when there are no works, then faith is always going to be incomplete [imperfect].
It is not accounted as righteousness (23).Verse 23 says... And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. Abraham was considered righteous, and was called the friend of God by virtue of what kind of faith?
In verses 24-26 James states his conclusions about faith only.
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
What James teaches in chapter two, not only agrees perfectly with Paul in Romans 4 but also, with Peter in Acts ten, who said ... "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (Acts 10:34,35, NKJV).
Faith, Trust, Hope, Obedience, Love and yes WORKS... the indelible attributes of a true follower of Jesus Christ.
We are saved by grace, God’s unmerited favor, not by works. We cannot work our way into a right relationship with God. He alone makes that possible through the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. That the living God made it possible for us to be His intimate friend, is a profoundly life-altering realization that changes us forever. Because we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we will have good works - not works that build a portfolio to be divinely reviewed for the purpose of being saved... but works, that harmonize with the will and purpose of God and His Kingdom. We have have to cajoled, pushed or prodded into service... such works will naturally emanate from a heart that deeply loves God. Like Isaiah of old, when confronted with an opportunity to help the cause of Almighty God... said boldly... “here I am, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
If Jesus Christ is living and dwelling in our hearts, we cannot help but have good works in our lives, doing good for others, helping those less fortunate than ourselves (James 1:27). Letting our light shine before men, so they will glorify our Father which is in heaven. That is true Christianity. If we are doing good for others so that we will bring glory to ourselves, then we have the wrong motive.
Don't forget, Jesus is going to reward us according to our works (Revelation 20:12). This does not do away with grace, we are saved by grace. But grace is the starting point in a life journey of loving devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace represents the beginning of a chance to be reunited with God in intimate fellowship, to be used by God to do all manner of things that advance His will on earth.
Works will not save you... but works born of a deep love for God will most certainly insure that you will hear Christ say those coveted words... “...well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your Master.”
