Faith in Motion- Active Faith

Faith in Action: When Belief Meets Behavior

Bible Passage: James 2:14–26

Background & Summary: Over the past few months, we have been studying Hebrews 11 & 12, under the theme, “The Just shall Live by Faith”. We were taught about what is faith and the importance of it through the lives of the patriarchs and the life of Jesus Christ. Tonight, we look at how faith is put into action by looking at a portion of James’ sermon and a very well quoted scripture, James 2:14, which is our focus scripture. Can someone give a summary of what they have learned so far from he lesson about faith?

How can we take what we have learned and apply it to our lives in a pratical way? This is one of the questions I would like for you all to keep in mind for tonight’s study and I will ask it again at the end?

Even though this is our focus scripture, its important to look at the remaining of the text for context. James, was said to be the half-brother of Jesus, who was said that was once a non-believer of Christ. According to John 7:5 “For neither did his brethren believe in him”, but James became a believer after the resurrected Christ appeared unto him. Furthermore, we also have to keep in mind the audience in which James is speaking to in this passage. In the 1st century, there were societal distinction between classes and this was also creeping into the body of Christ. In this passage, James was speaking to Christians as he refered to as “believers”. James was not speaking to the world, but recognized some discrepancies in the body of believers that needed to be addressed. Nowadays, so many people get offended by this very thing.

In this passage, James argues that genuine faith manifests itself in works.

Works in the greek is ergon (ἔργον), which can also be translated as "deed," "action," "labor," or "business".

James challenges the idea that a mere profession of faith is not sufficient for salvation, emphasizing that our actions must align with our beliefs. James asked some provoking questions to believers that can can be summarized in this one question, how can move from faith from intangible to tangible.

We should be empowered as Christians to reflect on our faith and be encouraged to act on our beliefs in practical ways. It speaks directly to personal struggles with doubt, showing that true faith compels one to care for others and live out one’s beliefs in reflection to the salvation in which we are saved.

Objective: This bible study will help you to:

James view- Faith Fosters Works

We will look at James teaching in comparison to Pauls’ teaching. Are these two men of God contradicing one another or they pose the same concept from different angles?

Idenify what faith you have, whether active living faith or false faith. It will teach you that faith is not passive; it requires active demonstration through good works.

It illustrates the inseparable link between faith and actions, showing that both are necessary components of a living faith.

Big Idea: True faith is vibrant and active, requiring us to express our beliefs through our actions and commitments to serve others.

1. James view- Faith Fosters Works

James 2:14-17

James challenges believers by asking about the practical value of a faith that doesn't produce action. Emphasize the idea that saying one has faith without demonstrating it through tangible acts, like caring for those in need, questions the authenticity of that faith. This also highlights how Jesus' work on earth consistently paired belief and action, thus calling us to reflect His transformative love in daily life.

2:14 James asserts that genuine faith affects the believer’s behavior; faith that does not affect behavior is superficial and cannot save. John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Jas 2:14.

What doth it profit—literally, “What is the profit?” though a man say—James’ expression is not, “If a man have faith,” but more so implies “if a man say he hath faith”; referring to a mere profession of faith, such as was usually made at baptism. The scripture does not say, “What doth it profit...though a many have faith?” rather, “What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith.”

A mere profession of of faith does not mean the possession of faith or the natural accompaniments of faith. Faith that is not accompanied by is inevitable and expectant fruits of faith is no faith at all. Is is a mockery, and James calls such a fruit “dead”.

The illustration, Jam 2:16, proves it is: “If one of you say” to a naked brother, “Be ye warmed, notwithstanding ye give not those things needful.” The inoperative profession of sympathy answering to the inoperative profession of faith. can faith save him—rather, “can such a faith (literally, ‘the faith’) save him?”—the faith you pretend to: the empty name of boasted faith, contrasted with true fruit-producing faith. So that which self-deceivers claim is called “wisdom,” though not true wisdom, Jam 3:15. The “him” also in the Greek is emphatic; the particular man who professes faith without having the works which evidence its vitality. The Greek is, “But if,” &c.: the “But” taking up the argument against such a one as “said he had faith, and yet had not works,” which are its fruits. a brother, &c.—a fellow Christian, to whom we are specially bound to give help, independent of our general obligation to help all our fellow creatures. be—The Greek implies, “be found, on your access to them.” The habit of receiving passively sentimental impressions from sights of woe without carrying them out into active habits only hardens the heart. one of you—James brings home the case to his hearers individually. Depart in peace—as if all their wants were satisfied by the mere words addressed to them. The same words in the mouth of Christ, whose faith they said they had, were accompanied by efficient deeds of love. be … warmed—with clothing, instead of being as heretofore “naked” (Jam 2:15; Job 31:20). filled—instead of being “destitute of food” (Mt 15:37). what doth it profit—concluding with the same question as at the beginning, Jam 2:14. Just retribution: kind professions unaccompanied with corresponding acts, as they are of no “profit” to the needy object of them, so are of no profit to the professor himself. So faith consisting in mere profession is unacceptable to God, the object of faith, and profitless to the possessor.

17. faith … being alone—“is dead in itself.” “Faith” is said to be “dead in itself,” because when it has works it is alive, and it is discerned to be so, not in respect to its works, but in respect to itself. English Version, if retained, must not be understood to mean that faith can exist “alone” (that is, severed from works), but thus: Even so presumed faith, if it have not works, is dead, being by itself “alone,” that is, severed from works of charity; just as the body would be “dead” if alone, that is, severed from the spirit (Jam 2:26).

2:17 A living faith is expressed by deeds of Christian love (see note on James 2:8), such as looking after widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Jas 2:17.

2. We will look at James teaching in comparison to Pauls’ teaching. Are these two men of God contradicing one another or they pose the same concept from different angles?

Paul speaks of a true, living faith which purifies the heart and works by love Galatians 5:6.

In Romans 3:20, Paul says, “by the works of he law no flesh will be justified.” Paul concludes that since all men are guilty, they canno be “justified” by their own personal character or conduct. Justification is a legal term meaning to remove the guilt of the sinner. It does not involve making one inwardly holy, but merely declares that the demands of justice have been satisfied. There is no grounds for condemnation (Romans 8:1). The very nature of the law is to prove that man are sinful and deserves God’s punishment, but the purpose, on the other hand, is to ultimely lead man to renounce his own righteousness and trust in the inputation of Christ’s righteousness as the only grounds of acceptance with God. Paul also supported his arguement in reference to Abraham in Romans 4:1-3. Paul considered Abraham’s faith as living faith and faith that made him righteous.

James in this instance speaks of a profession or presumption of faith, barren and destitute of good fruit. Such a faith is dead (v.17).

Whether James individually designed it or not, the Holy Spirit by him combats not Paul, but those who abuse Paul’s doctrine. The teaching of both alike is inspired, and is therefore to be received without wresting of words; but each has a different class to deal with; both advocates of a mere notional faith. Paul urged as strongly as James the need of works as evidences of faith, especially in the later Epistles, when many were abusing the doctrine of faith (Tit 2:14; 3:8).

3. Idenify what faith you have, whether active living faith or false faith. It will teach you that faith is not passive; it requires active demonstration through good works.

When James speak of faith, he is referring that it is a false faith that does not result in the work of faith. When speak of the fruit that is produced, the who process of the developmentof the fruit is included. Think about the development of a seed (Matthew 13: 23-33) (Matthew 7:16) . When works, however, are spoken about as the works not resulting from faith, they are meant to be false works, fruits of a nonexistent faith. Its like getting orange from a pine tree.

Living and active faith is not passive.

Living Faith creates an inner conviction, that is evident in a person’s outward actions as the same way Jesus was actively showing us how to live. Your constant reliance of God, pushes you to have a heart for others and trust God.

Passive Faith sometimes lead to complacency or a lack of personal responsibility. A person acknowledges God’s existance, but have an hardened heart towards others and change.

James 2:18-19

James's argument that even demons can acknowledge belief but lack the obedient action. It is a “faith” like the devils may have (v.19). It consists only of an intellectual belief of God’s being or existance, not consenting to His offer of salvation through repentance and the works of faith.

Encourage listeners to consider how true faith inherently compels action, distinguishing believers' faith by its evident outworking in deeds of service and compassion. Reflect on how Jesus’ example challenges us to exhibit more than just intellectual assent but embodied faith.

3. Faith in Full Expression

James 2:20-24

Maybe emphasize that James uses Abraham as a model of faith-affirmed action, demonstrating how works complete faith. Use this section to communicate that through obedient action, faith is fully realized and seen as living. Point to the life of Christ, who exemplifies perfect faith through His actions, urging believers to mirror such obedience and zeal in serving others.

4. Faith Finds Proof

James 2:25-26

You could conclude with Rahab’s story, where faith translated into lifesaving action despite profound risk. Suggest how her example supports James’s argument that faith's vitality is proven through deeds. Highlight Jesus's sacrificial love as the ultimate melding of faith and work, inspiring the church to demonstrate sincere faith through acts of love and mercy.

How this passage could point to Christ: The passage points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of faith in action. Jesus’ life exemplified perfect faith coupled with perfect acts of love and righteousness, bridging the gap between belief and work. He calls His followers to emulate this active faith.