Is Your Faith Dead or Alive

Is Your Faith Dead or Alive? James 2:14-26

A Faith that Works….

What does it mean to you when when i ask this question? I really don’t believe many people ever stop to even think about possessing either a living faith or a dead faith. James, is changing the subject on us this morning and he’s now confronting us to find out if we have a faith that is either all talk or do we have faith that is visible by what we do and how we live as Followers of Jesus Christ. I believe James is teaching us what type of faith to have and what type of faith to Avoid. He begins by giving us a vivid look at the faith we should avoid. He places several rhetorical questions, almost with impatience before us to see that intellectual belief alone ("faith") is useless if it does not produce actionable good works, He states clearly that such passive faith cannot save. He goes on to highlight that genuine, saving faith is inherently transformative and always results in actions of love and obedience. This morning I merely want to place on your hearts and minds to not only ask yourself this question but to investigate and make for certain that you have a “Living Faith” Actions Speak Louder than Words or Put Your money where your mouth Is …Put up or Shut up….All Talk and no Action where i Grew up was a clear indicator that you were not for real ….In verse 14 James is Saying if you are saved your life should show some signs ….If you have truly been saved there should be some External evidence seen of the Internal heart transformation that has taken place …. There’s a simple question to ask yourself Has My Life Changed for the Better because Jesus Lives in Me? This doesn’t mean that your life is perfect but it does mean people see the fruit of a Transformed life what are fruit? Joy, Peace, Love, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control….These Nine fruit come as a Package Deal…You can’t go through the list and pick out the ones you like and leave the rest….This is a bag of jelly beans….As a believer we’re supposed to Possess and Display all of them as we live for Jesus! Not Perfectly but definitely with intentionality.

I want to show you through the text How James shows us what not to do in order to teach us what we should do.

A Description of Dead Faith.

James wants us to see and fully understand that “Believing and doing are blood relatives”

2. A Declaration of Truth..Vs 17

3. An Anonymous Fool…Vs 18-20

4.

James doesn’t disagree with Paul. Both agree that an inactive faith is really no faith at all. True faith does something.

Based on James 2:14-26, you can tell if your faith is alive or dead by whether it produces tangible actions, specifically love for others and obedience to God. Dead faith is merely intellectual agreement or words without action (like telling a needy person to "go in peace" without helping), while living faith is demonstrated by works, such as aiding the poor and obeying God's commands.

Characteristics of Dead Faith (James 2:14-26)

Inactive/Passive: It is a faith that "remains alone" and does not change how you live.

Only Words: It is a verbal claim to faith lacking corresponding actions.

Useless/Lifeless: It cannot save, just as a body without a spirit is a corpse.

Intellectual Only: Even demons believe in God, but they do not obey.

Selfish: It ignores the practical needs of others, such as food or clothing.

Characteristics of Living Faith (James 2:14-26)

Active/Productive: It is a "working" faith that produces good deeds.

Visible Evidence: It is shown through obedience, such as Abraham offering Isaac.

Accompanied by Action: Like Rahab, it takes risks to serve God and others.

Life-Changing: It transforms how you act and treat people.

Complies with Love: It demonstrates faith through practical help.

James argues that works do not save you, but they are the necessary, natural evidence of a genuine, saving faith. If your faith does not change your actions, it is considered dead.