Secret Faith is False Faith

James 2:14-26

James 2:14–26 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

On the surface James seems to contradict Paul’s many writings that we are saved by faith and not of works. In order to understand what James is saying we need to understand the context and the audience. He is writing to the Jewish believer and attempting to clear up the confusion between law and grace, and an apparent prejudice that is prevalent among them. Here is what we are to learn from James teaching.

I. Faith without works is ineffective faith.

a. Demonstrate with an empty gallon jug. Shake it, open it and pour out the air. Then place some marbles in it and shake it.

b. Point – Faith and works makes some noise!

II. We need a little less talk and a lot more action

a. We can speak great spiritual words, but if we don’t show love toward our neighbor, our words are empty.

b. Vv. 16 & 17 – When we patronize those around us with words like – “God Bless” and “I’ll be praying for you”, and then harbor dislike for them or ignore their needs then our faith is dead.

III. Put your faith into motion

a. Abraham is our model here – It was not enough to believe God, he had to raise the knife. If he stopped at the bottom of the mountain then there was no proof of his faith. If he only built the altar then there was no proof of his faith. If he had only put Isaac on the altar there would be no proof of his faith. It was only when he raised the knife to slay his only son that God honored his faith.

b. Faith and works working together communicated the message.

Conclusion: James sums it up succinctly – just as the body without the spirit is dead, so our faith without works is dead.