A Faith that Works

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James 2:14-19 (KJV)

14. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?
15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16. And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17. Even so faith; if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

1. There is a false claim James reveals . . . "a man claims to have faith, but has no works"
   James is arguing that there are some who "say" (Greek: "lego") that they are Christians, but that which they do, including how they live, give evidence that their claim is false.
   "Can (such a) faith save him?" In other words, "Can that kind of faith possibly be real?"
   1. It is a faith without compassion --- James gives the example of Christians in need.
      Do you do what you can to meet that need? Read faith works (Galatians 6:10).
      Thomas Manton "The poor will not thank you for your good wishes, neither God for saying you have faith." Remember the context of this text. James addresses the poor.
   2. It is a faith without communion --- "You believe in God? So do the devils."
      Though there may be an intellectual belief in God, there is no fellowship with Him.
      The word "tremble" (NIV "shudder") translates the Greek word "phrissousi." It is used only once in the New Testament and it literally means "to be terrified", or as the Amplified Bible puts it "the demons have their hair stand on end." True faith is at peace.
   3. It is a faith without conversion --- "can such a faith save him?"
      This question is rhetorical, and no answer to it means the answer should be obvious.
      It is not that faith does not save, but rather "spoken faith" is not always "saving faith."
2. There is a false compromise James resists . . . "Thou hast faith, and I have works".
   This passage deserves close scrutiny. It is best understood by seeing James setting up a hypothetical argument in verse 18. Two men are debating genuine Christianity:
   One man says, "I put my trust in my faith," while another says, "I put my trust in my works."
   James says, "Faith and works are inseparable when God graces a man!"
   Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, "By their fruit you will know my children."
3. There is a firm conviction James renders . . . "faith, if it has not works, is dead" (v.17).
   Some say that Paul and James are in conflict with each other. They say that Paul emphasizes faith, and James emphasizes repentance. The truth is, both men emphasized both graces!
   Paul wrote of "those who claim to know God, but by their actions deny him" (Titus 1:16).
   Paul also said, "every Christian will bear fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10).
   
   In conclusions, it would be appropriate for all of us to ask some very difficult questions.
   1. Do we sometimes assume genuine faith in family members when there is no fruit?
   2. If faith and works are both gifts from God ("it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure"), why do we act as if they are things we can muster up?
   3. Why are there so many church members who are "inactive" in the things of God?

   

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   Questions? Comments?
   Pastor Wade
   
   

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