Faith Produces Works

James 2:14-26

I have been thinking about works, with the loss of so many saints. It was said that their works are defined in their faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ! This truth is made clear in this passage.

James is speaking to folks about something that had been going on among Jewish believers spread out among the area. They were showing favoritism to some in the churches. The rich was getting special treatment. James spoke to them sharply about this, telling them that if you show partiality, you are committing sin.

These folks were still claiming that they were living holy and according to God’s law. James tells them that if they keep one part of the law and fail in another, they have broke the whole law and are guilty.

They were claiming to have faith, but that faith was without a love for their neighbor. Their concern was for the rich more than the struggling!

So, he continues in his rebuke of these Jews, just listen to this passage: James 2:14-26.........

Some have argued that Paul and James disagreed in the “faith alone in Christ alone”. Paul preached faith without works but now James is saying faith plus works.

James never said faith plus works, he states that if you have faith, works will follow.

If there is no works, then faith is not genuine!

Jesus reinforces this: Matthew 7:17-20..........

2 things here:

The tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and burned! Not a genuine!

You will know them by their fruits!

My personal belief is that fruit looks like Jesus!! Faith produces the works of Christ!

Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Jesus gave everything for those not worthy! Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

No favoritism!

James uses Abraham, Paul did as well, Abraham believed God, that is what produced his works! You saw his belief in his actions.

Yes, their is good talking, a lot of folks talking! A lot of folks talking about their stuff! Faith is shown in their works not by them talking about it!

Side Note: As I get older this verse speaks to me 1 Thessalonians 4:11 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;”

This Paul said in reference to brotherly love!

Back to the message: Abraham was told to leave his homeland; he did. He was told to sacrifice his son; he faithfully went toward fulfilling what God told him!

Some like to minimize what Abraham did, by saying that he said “me and the lad will be back”, believing that God wouldn’t let him go through with it. I believe he believed that but whether God did or didn’t, Abraham was going through with what God told him!

He believed God was right in everything! For that faith, Abraham was counted righteous and was called a friend of God!

Now, we believe in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ and that produces action in us, that manifests Jesus to the world!

Galatians 5:1-6......In us working to merit something with God, does not produce anything, but it is our faith in Jesus Christ that makes love work in our lives!!!