men's bible study
Notes
Transcript
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So 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 apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Let’s pick up in vs. 14
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
what is james telling us about a faith without works...what sort of faith is this.
Look back just one chapter to James 1:22
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
In essence faith that has no works brings no profit — Douglas Moo
James and Paul do not disagree. Why?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
we believe the Lord has the capacity to meet their needs.
We believe He has called the church to be His hands and feet.
We believe He is able.
We believe He is good.
We must believe He has blessed us to bless others.
11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
James question, “what good is it?” let’s answer this question
17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
james moves towards salvation
so what is he saying here.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
vs. 18 faith lived is true faith and an active faith
yes the demons believe...but they are not of God/
consider Romans 2:17-25
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.
24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
