Faith Quantified
The Book of James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Bible is full of stories illustrating incredible faith.
Noah obeyed God in faith and built an ark even though he had never seen rain.
In our Sunday School class last week, we read about the crossing of the Jordan and how, by faith, the priest stepped into the water before the waters parted.
We read these stories and are amazed at God’s faithfulness.
Last week, I told the story of George Muller and his incredible faith.
I came across another story about a missionary couple named Robert and Mary Moffat.
They were missionaries in Botswana, South Africa.
They had labored for 10 years, yet they had not seen a single convert.
The directors of the mission began to question whether it was wise for them to stay in the work there.
However, the couple could not bear to leave, having invested so much into the work.
They stayed another two years, and still there was nothing—darkness seemed to prevail.
One day, a friend from England wrote them, wanting to send a gift and asking what they would like.
Trusting the Lord, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.”
The Lord honored her faith.
Soon, a small group of six converts formed a tiny church.
The communion set was delayed in the mail, but on the very day they were to take their first communion as a new church, the communion set arrived.
I believe with all my heart that God honors those who step out boldly in faith!
Last week, we studied James 2:14-17 and called it “Faith Verified.” We discovered that when we act in obedience to our faith, it directly correlates to the judgment seat of Christ. Things we do in faith for Christ are rewarded, while things we do not do in faith are not.
Today, we want to examine the rest of chapter 2, James 2:18-26, and complete our study of what James says about Faith and our Christian walk.
I titled today's sermon “Faith Quantified” - something that is quantified refers to measuring the amount of it. Synonyms include words like measured, calculated, assessed, evaluated, etc.
What am I getting at?
As a reminder, the book of James is about the Christian walk, not salvation. So, when we look at the following verses, we need to understand that the outworking of faith can be quantified by our actions.
James 2:18–26 “18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
The Objector
The Objector
In a similar way to how Paul writes in Romans, James uses an imaginary “Objector” in his argument about faith and works.
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
The objector here in these two verses claims there is no connection between faith and works.
He even uses demons as an example. Both believers and demons believe “God is One.”
Christians believe and do good works.
Demons believe but tremble.
The objector’s argument is that there is no link between what you believe and works!
The objector is, of course, wrong on all counts. James already stated in the previous verse, James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”
What a man believes is vital, or at least should be, to what he does!
If you knew Christ was coming back tomorrow, how would that change your actions today?
You would make sure your family and friends believe
You probably wouldn't be in arguments with your wife
You would be living a squeaky clean lifestyle.
Conversely, if you believed there was no life after this, how would you live?
Hedonism—what feels good.
Apathy—who cares?
Despair—what’s the point?
What we believe massively influences how we live our lives.
The question we must ask ourselves at this point is: do our beliefs, faith, and actions align?
I have always liked the illustration of the courtroom:
Imagine you were in court for allegedly being a Christian.
After all the evidence was presented and weighed from your life, in church, home, and work, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian beyond a shadow of a doubt?
James spends the last seven verses refuting the imaginary objector and proving “Faith without Works is Dead!”
True Faith Has Works!
True Faith Has Works!
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
We need to understand that the word “Justified” means “to declare righteous.”
So once again, we face this dilemma: is James presenting a works-based salvation, or is there something else here that we are missing?
Let’s examine Romans 4:2
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
This verse shows there is both justification before man and God, but Paul makes it clear that works alone are not what justify us before God.
When Abraham believed, it was before God. It was solely an act of faith.
Then, how was his act of faith seen by others?
Abraham was justified by faith in Genesis 15:6.
Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
It wasn't until Genesis 22, about 25 years later, that Abraham’s faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his only son.
The servants with him saw his faith, and so did his son Isaac.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.”
He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
It was the outward act, performed through his faith, that demonstrated his faith and thus justified him before others.
Let’s read James 2:24 again.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Many people hang their hat on this as proof that faith and works must go together for justification, but James doesn’t actually say that.
Based on the case study of Abraham that James provides, there is a justification by faith before God and a justification by works before men.
God can see into a man’s heart and see his faith, but men cannot do that. The only basis men have for declaring us righteous is what they see. What do men see? Our works
Look at his second example of Rahab, a Gentile.
In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Rahab was justified by faith when she received the spies, according to Hebrews 11:31.
By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
But she was justified before men when she sent them on their way, according to James 2:25.
James clarifies what he is talking about in James 2:26.
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James concludes by arguing that works do for faith what the Spirit does for the body. They animate! In other words, our works are what make our faith real and evident before men.
Why is this important?
When we operate in faith, not only does it grow our own faith and willingness to trust the Lord, but it also encourages others to step out in faith.
Let me close with a final story of faith to show how standing on God’s promises in faith can influence others.
About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales.
As a result, many missionaries traveled to northeast India to spread the Gospel.
The region known as Assam was made up of hundreds of tribes who were primitive and aggressive head-hunters.
Into these hostile and aggressive communities, a group of missionaries arrived, spreading the message of love, peace, and hope in Jesus Christ.
Naturally, they were not welcomed.
One missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious, and many villagers began to accept Christianity.
Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then ordered the family who had first converted to renounce their faith publicly or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man declared:
“I have decided to follow Jesus.”
Enraged at his refusal, the chief ordered his archers to shoot down the two children. As both boys lay dead on the ground, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man replied:
“Though no one joins me, still I will follow.”
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be shot. In a moment, she joined her two children in death.
Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live."
In the face of death, the man said the final memorable lines:
“The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back.”
He was shot dead like the rest of his family.
But with their deaths, a miracle occurred. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man.
He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife, and two children die for a Man who lived in a faraway land on another continent some 2,000 years ago?
There must be some remarkable power behind the family’s faith, and I too want to taste that faith.”
In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!”
When the crowd heard this from their chief, the entire village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus” is based on the last words of Nokseng, a man from the Garo tribe of Assam, India.
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
Though no one joins me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
The cross before me, the world behind me
No turning back, no turning back.
Perhaps God is calling you to step out in faith today, so He can show His greatness, but also so others can see your faith and follow your example.
Will you trust Him?
Will you place your life, your finances, your families into His hands?
Let’s pray
