James 2:14-26: Faith That Is Mere Profession Does Not Save.

Faith That Does Not Save, James 2:14-26

I.

A. Faith That Is Mere Profession Does Not Save (vv. 14-17)

1. “If a man say that he hath faith and hath not works”

2. This professor of faith shows no fruit of faith

3. Paul agrees: Faith in Christ makes us different

a. 2 Corinthians 5:17

B. Faith That Does Not Bring Spiritual Life Does Not Save (vv. 17-18)

1. “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead”

2. This faith is a counterfeit

3. Faith in Christ always brings new life

a. John 3:3-5, 16.

b. There are no exceptions

c. Jesus turns no one away

d. John 6:37

e. This invitation is for the “whosoevers”

f. Romans 10:13

C. Faith That Is Merely Intellectual Agreement Does Not Save (v. 19)

1. James says: “You believe in God and you are doing well.”

2. Believing the facts is not necessarily faith.

3. One can agree with the facts of the Gospel and be lost.

4. What is the difference between facts and faith?

II.

A. Examples of Living Faith (vv. 21-26)

James gives us examples of two Bible characters [Abraham and Rahab] who had genuine faith.

They believed God, and then they showed it by their actions.

1. Abraham trusted God, and it moved to obedience.

2. His faith produced works.

3. He became known as the Friend of God.

4. Her works of hiding the spies and helping them escape were the works that proved her faith was real.