James Chapter 2 Part B

James 2:14-26

The ultimate test of our integrity. Do we live out our faith in action?

James 2:14–17 NASB 2020

What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

The whole Bible calls His people to action. The Israelite being called to set their selves apart in an area that all commerce at the time had to pass through. They were to act as God’s slaves. What did Christ demonstrate forgiving sins only or meeting peoples physical needs? Here are some hard questions. Does passing out “homeless” bags at a stop light count? Or maybe are we suppose to take time out of whatever thing we are rushing to and get out and talk with them and actually fellowship? Or are we willing to say “I don’t have any cash, but get in. I can take you to a hotel and pay for one night so that you can get a hot shower and a warm bed”?

James 2:18–26 NASB 2020

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

What is really being said here? First is this an absolute or generalization? Can we say we are followers of Christ if we do not act as He did? Once it again it goes back to chapter 1 and the test of our integrity as slaves based on a faith in who Christ is and what He did. If that is true, then our integrity demands us to live out what the Bible teaches. Care for the poor, widows, orphans, making disciples, putting others first, etc.

Application

We need to focus on acting out our faith.