THE BOOK OF JAMES
(Faith Works - May 21, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Genuine Christian faith is proven true through action"
Sermon Big Idea: “The evidence of true faith in Christ is good works"
Key Scripture (James 2:14-26)
How valuable is a person's word? In truth, no one can guarantee what he claims. It is only the God of the Bible who can do that. No matter how well we speak about our faith or how accurate our teaching is, our actions show how alive it is.
There are literally millions of people all over the world who claim to be Christians, but most do not live for Him. They are baptized, confirmed, and even made members of a local church, but they never follow or live for Christ. There is no purity and righteousness in their lives. There is no desire to reach out to a lost and dying world in the name of Christ. So, the question is, is this person saved? Do they have genuine faith? That is exactly what James discusses in the passage we will read this morning.
(James 2:14-26)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder. 20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. 23 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
The two questions that come through loud and clear in verse 14 is: “Can a person have faith and do no good works?” Secondly, “Can faith without good works save a person?” The answer is no. Why? James says there is a man who says he has faith, but it is only in word. His life never bears any fruit of being a Christian. James calls this kind of faith dead faith three times in these verses (James 2:17; 20; 26). He says that it is empty, worthless, and useless.
In verse 15-17 he gives the example of a destitute Christian believer. This is a person who can’t do for himself. A person calling himself a Christian shares some kind words but doesn’t take care of the man’s basic needs. What good are his words about his faith? James says his words are useless. Jesus said in (Luke 9:23) “If any man wants to come after Him he is to deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Christ. Faith without works is dead.
With verse 18 James gives another contrasting picture of faith. He paints this picture of two arrogant men. The first touts he has faith because he believes in Christ and even if he fails to live for Christ, God will accept him because of his profession of faith. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says to Titus (Titus 1:16) “They profess to know God but deny Him by their works.”
James says the other man claims that God accepts him because he does good works. His belief is that God just wants us to always be busy doing all the good we can. But Jesus says (Matthew 7:22-23) “Many will say to Me in that Day; Lord, Lord, we have prophesied in Your name, we have cast out demons, and we have done many wonderful works. Jesus says He will declare to them; depart from Me, I never knew you, you workers of lawlessness.” James says it is not a matter of faith or works by themselves. “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” A person who genuinely believes in Christ will produce the fruit of Christ.
In the last part of this passage James continues his discussion concerning faith by giving the example of a man who says he has religion. He believes in one God. This is a good thing. But James says even demons believe and shudder. Remember the two demon possessed men Jesus healed in (Matthew 8:29)? They recognized Him and said, “What have You to do with us, O Son of God?” Even though these demons believed who Jesus was, they were not saved. Their belief had not affected their lives. What he is saying is that true faith is a living faith, a faith that works and inspires a person to live for Christ.
Conclusion:
James concludes this section with two biblical examples of people who did have saving faith. They both are from the Old Testament. The first is Abraham, whose faith was proved by his works (verse 21). But wait, is he saying Abraham was justified by his works? Are we justified by our works? Absolutely not! What he is saying is that Abraham’s faith was “proven” to be true by his works (verse 22). Abraham’s faith was made perfect or complete. It finished its course. He goes on to say that Abraham’s faith fulfilled Scripture. What Scripture is that? (Genesis 15:6) “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” This was around thirty years before Abraham would offer his son Isaac on the altar. James is saying clearly here that God justified Abraham thirty years before this event. So, he didn’t earn his salvation by offering Isaac on the altar. His faith was being proven true by this event. The reason he offered Isaac up was because he believed God.
Lastly, James gives another Old Testament illustration of faith being proved (Verses 25-26). It is an example of the harlot Rahab. She was the total opposite of Abraham. She was the lowest of society. When the spies for Israel were scouting out Jericho, they were being hunted by soldiers there. Rahab hid them. Think about this. A women of low estate betrayed her own country to protect the Israelite spies. Why? Because she believed God and His promises (Joshua 2:9-11). She had already been justified by believing in God. Rahab believed God so she put her faith to work.
This call to action from James is strong. The evidence of true faith is action. Make the decision today that you are going to live out your faith by not only believing but by allowing God to do His work through you. Consider these Scriptures as you live out your faith in Christ.
(Philippians 1:6) (Philippians 2:13) (John 6:29) (Romans 8:28-30) (1 Corinthians 1:8) (Hebrews 12:2).
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Water, Mark, ed. AMG’s Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. United Kingdom: John Hunt, 2004.
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