FAITH VS WORKS

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER PRT 2

Last week James presented two requirements for pure religion. Last week we covered the first, show no partiality. Cater to the poor and spiritually hungry rather than to the powerful. Live by the royal law and experience the law that gives freedom.

This week we look the second, which is produce obedient deeds, for true faith is obedient. James specifically looks to Abraham and Rahab for examples. Saving faith produces deeds of service to prove its reality.

James Chapter 2 verses 14 through 26 are the most theologically significant but also the most controversial in James’ letter. I ask that you keep an open mind, open heart as we, together, mentally and spiritually absorb, digest, and contemplate what is really being said here.

Christian Faith

James 2:14-26

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? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

II. Producing Obedient Deeds —vv. 14–26

Works not words are the only real demonstration of faith. Actions speak louder than words!

The Danger of Faith without Deeds vv. 14-20

1. Empty – Profit—v. 14. There is no profit in faith alone. Faith must be active. It must have works.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

3 important aspects about James question here -

James acknowledges claim to faith – but it goes back to actions speak louder than words

Second, he is not saying faith cannot save the lost – he says THAT Faith – faith without works – faith that is not lived out cannot save the lost. Remember the difference between Peter and Judas.

Third – save him – that phrase –save him is referred to the type of acquittal for trial.

2. Personal—vv. 15–16. Not a Christian, when we see our brother in need, and not help him.

James uses a type of parable to illustrate the faith without works is useless.

Jesus condemned this type of faith in Matthew 7:15-23 – 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Sympathy – is not downplayed here –

It’s still important – especially if that is all you have to offer –

Here is parablic person is able to offer more but does not

1 John 3:18 – let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

Can words feed, clothe, and warm – give physical nourishment and meet basic needs of life?

You will be recognized by your fruits

Grapes – thornbushes Figs – thistle?

Bad trees / unhealthy – bad fruit Good trees / healthy – good fruit

Bad trees cannot produce good fruit – good trees cannot produce bad fruit

You will be recognized by your fruit – your works!

But the one who does the will of my father – they may enter heaven

3. Practice—vv. 17–20. Without faith being put into practice, it is dead and useless.

Meat of the chapter! Don’t miss it

Faith not accompanied by action is dead.

Works do not save – but faith without action is dead and worthless

Atheists – can have “good works” – original I’m good person so I will go to heaven argument.

Works without faith are just as useless as faith without works

REAL FAITH SHOWS ITSELF IN DEEDS – WORKS

Genuine faith – genuine relationship with Christ will produce the works.

No one ever accepted Jesus and was not changed

You literally cannot have one without the other

Verse 19 – you believe God exists – whoop de doo – even satan and the demons believe that – what separates you from them?

Judas and Peter – the difference

Intellectual faith only touches the mind – saving faith touches the mind heart and soul – and changes the person

Saving faith is more than showing up on a Sunday – saving faith produces actions, produces words, saving faith is not empty or foolish but moves mountains

Prominent and Undervalued Examples of Faith which works —vv. 21–26

1. Abraham—v. 21. Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith. He had faith, but offered his son. This was faith in action.

Works—vv. 22–25. Faith brought good works.

God counted his faith that manifested itself in action as righteousness – called a friend of God

His faith was made complete by his actions of following God

Rehab manifested her faith with actions by sending the messengers out a different way – her faith by action saved her and her family

Her faith was made complete by her actions of doing God’s will

2. 26. Constant war between spirit and the flesh.

Verse 26 – For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead

You cannot have faith – real saving faith – without works – 1 coin both sides.

God wants his people to demonstrate pure religion by overcoming the practice of partiality and by carrying out deeds of compassion.

Principles

• God demands obedience to his entire teachings, not just acceptance of a part of them.

• Those who hope to receive mercy from God must in turn show mercy to others.

• Saving faith produces works of compassion and obedience.

• Works of unselfishness and sacrifice for others prove the reality of our faith before a watching world.

Applications

• Do not displease God by favoring the rich or abusing the poor.

• Treat people from all backgrounds as God does.

• Check your faith by your works.

• Draw closer to God through obedience

How does your faith manifest itself?

What is God calling you to do to manifest your faith more – at home, in the community, in the church?

The hymn we talked about previously – THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE – says We will work with each other; we will work side by side? How are you doing living this out?