Living Faith or Dead Faith

Good morning children of God! Today we turn our attention to James 2:14-19. Theological debates have raged for centuries about the book of James. Martin Luther said James "is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it (unauthenticated by the Holy Spirit)." The reason Martin Luther said this is that James speaks to extent about justification by the merit of good works through faith. Many believe that this stands in direct opposition to the writings of the Apostle Paul who continually stresses that justification comes by faith alone. On the surface, Paul and James seem to contradict each other, but they do not. The Bible is the inerrant and divinely inspired word of God. The Bible is without error and without contradiction.

First, I want us to think about something. If we are viewing our faith as “work” we have a problem. Many people have jobs they do not like and the word “work” seems to cause a sense of dread among some people. A lot of people do not look forward to going to work. Our walk is not supposed to bring us a sense of dread, discontent or anxiety. If the thought of your faith brings you to a place like that in your mind, it should not. Faith in Christ is to bring joy, peace, and hope to the believers heart and mind. Today, being the first day of advent, I think James is a great way for us to prepare our hearts and minds for the Christmas season.

Let’s jump in to James now.

James 2:14 NIV

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

I use the NIV here because the Greek word "erga” is used by James and is better translated as deeds or “to do.” Paul often used the word “erga” to mean “works of the law.” So we already see a major distinction in the writings. Here is what I want you to notice though: James poses this question with “If someone CLAIMS to have faith.” Folks can say they have faith all day long, but the proof is in their walk. If someone believes something they do something. Faith is to change us so drastically internally that we can’t help but to express it externally. In other words,

Salvation is the result of faith, good deeds are the result of salvation.

There are those who say they have faith, but are far removed from Christ because, according to him, there is a difference in a professing faith and an obedient faith. Jesus Christ said:

Matthew 7:21 NLT

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Like James stated, Jesus is telling us that words alone don’t cut it. Many have and will profess His name, but obedience to His will is the test of true faith in Christ. We can learn all kinds of religious vocabulary, memorize verses, sing along during worship, and still not obey God’s will. Now there are those who will say that: “I have nothing to prove.” “That is between me and God.” “I don’t care what other people think about me.” A bit prideful, but okay, I guess, but… Jesus said something else that seems lost at times to many modern day Christians:

Matthew 5:16 NLT

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Sure sounds like Jesus was informing us that good deeds should be a result of following him and that others should see that change in us. Does this mean to brag or boast about our good deeds? No. We can certainly take joy in what we do for our heavenly father. When people see us living out our faith, God is glorified! The very transformation that occurs in the believer is spoken of by Jesus Christ right here. Our good deeds, which we are to have, are to be the result of changed heart and mind, a Christ like heart and mind led by Holy Spirit. A reflection of Him to the world. James gives us an example:

James 2:15–16 NLT

15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

I have been on both sides of this example. We grew up poor. Back then, it was hard to get help. Where we lived, people were not very giving. We went to bed hungry many times. I remember my mom sending me to play with my friends just before lunch time hoping their parents would feed me. Going through the lost and found at school looking for clothes to wear. We did get some help from a local church, which I am sure is one of the many seeds that were planted on this then rocky ground. When you grow up in such a way, you can develop almost a hoarders mindset. I would eat everything I could, hide food just in case, and keep clothes I should have gotten rid of because I might wear them. I would not share what I had with anybody else. I was going to need that! It took Jesus to show me that we are to give out of what little or plenty we may have. This verse is the equivalency of saying “I will pray for you” but doing nothing when we have the ability or resources to help a brother or sister immediately. James tells us:

James 2:17 NLT

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

I stress again that it it NOT good deeds that bring us into the kingdom of Glory, it is our faith in Jesus Christ. A believer would be hard pressed to claim they have faith in Jesus Christ and then do nothing to follow the example of Jesus Christ. True faith is an operative faith. Faith was never meant to be passive. Faith was always meant to be active. God gave His only begotten son to all of us. He did not give His leftovers or what he did not want anymore. He gave His very best in Jesus.

I thought about and pondered these last few verses a good bit while I was studying. Imagine for a moment that you are facing God at the White Throne Judgement. And you have to give an account for your life as a believer. You finish speaking and God looks at you and says “I can’t help you. Good luck.” Praise His Holy name that He has already provided for you and for me. Thank you Jesus!

James 2:18 NLT

18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James gives us an example we see too often today. This is an argument that we still hear from people today, and some of us, including myself, have struggled with. Picture two different people. One tells you “I have faith in Jesus. I trust him and follow him.” Now, you know this person and their life does not reflect someone walking with Jesus. Now, before anybody gets upset with me and says “Bob, you don’t know their heart! You can’t judge their salvation!” James is not judging salvation, he was pointing out the obvious. The individual is not living like a believer. Christ told us that we would know them, each-other, by their fruits, a good tree can not produce bad fruit and a bad tree can not produce good fruit. We either have an active living faith, or we have a dead faith.

Then there is the person who says “Look at everything I do for God, look at what I do for the church, look at what I do! Hey, I did this good deed and that offsets these bad things I did.” Could you imagine going to court and telling the judge “Hey, I only murdered one guy, but I did some good things too!” This individual is relying on works for salvation. They believe that God accepts them because of good works and living as good a life as they can gets them into heaven.

Our best works are like filthy rags unto the LORD. Without faith in Christ, without accepting his free gift of salvation, people who are fooled into a works based relationship with God will hear from the living Christ “Depart from me, I never knew you.” James destroys this hypothetical argument with one powerful statement: “I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” The proof of our faith in Jesus Christ is found in a changed heart and mind, a changed life, a joy in working for Christ. James goes even deeper.

James 2:19 NLT

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Ya’ll, this one got me bad at one point. I remember asking myself “Am I any different than the demons?” Does Satan believe in God? Of course. Does the devil believe in the risen Christ. Yes. The demons possess both intellect and emotion, they tremble in terror. Intellect and emotion are not enough. I can know the Word of God, I can have an emotional experience, but it is not enough. The demons even cried out to Jesus at one point, recognizing him as the son of God.

Matthew 8:29 NKJV

29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

The demons recognize Jesus as the son of God, the risen Christ, Christ as the judge, and they submit to the power of the Word. Will that belief get the devil or the demons into heaven? I mean, according to the modern day grace message preached in many churches, these demons believe in Jesus and the Word of God. If deeds are of no consequence, then their deeds do not count against them. Demons are not saved. Their belief has not affected their lives and behavior at all.

The point that James is making is that an empty faith is dead. There is dead belief and living belief. A belief that does not lead to salvation and a belief that does lead to salvation. The teachings of the Apostle Paul do not contradict James and James does not contradict Paul. They compliment one another. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10:

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Worship Team/Alter Call

Brothers and sisters, I know that James is a tough study. He takes us deep into reflecting on our walk with Jesus, challenging us to be the very best for Christ that we can. The word is not meant to hurt us, but to convict us, that we may have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not a matter of being perfect, that would be a hopeless venture. It is about others looking upon you and seeing Christ alive in you! You are His workmanship, to show the world Jesus Christ, to share His love, His grace, and His mercy. We can only do that through our good deeds which glorify our Father.

Those good deeds begin in our homes first and then to our neighbors and those who we know. Love others as Christ loves you, show mercy to others as God has shown mercy to you, forgive others as Christ has forgiven you. The alter is always open here. If you need prayer this morning, simply ask there are brothers and sisters ready to pray for you. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, let today be the day. God bless you this morning.