Faith Without Works is Dead

February 4, 2018 Background Scripture: James 2:14 – 26 Lesson Passage: James 2:14 – 26 Our study of biblical faith would be incomplete without a review of some “faith principles” found in the epistle written by James. James addressed his letter to the Jewish Christians who were scattered as a result of the early persecution of the church in Jerusalem. Whether one wants to compare or contrast James’ doctrinal statements about faith with those of the Apostle Paul, the unbiased conclusion is always that they are both correct because they are both found in the word of God. Whereas Paul asserts that good works cannot justify anyone but only the grace of God through our faith brings salvation, James asserts that a faith that saves will also produce works in and by the saved person. Paul’s stance is totally a matter of what justifies a person in the presence of God. James, on the other hand, takes the stance that a person who has been saved will show evidence of that in their manner of living. On the one hand, Paul defines justification by faith but on the other hand, James defines a living faith that shows up in the sanctification process that every living Christian continuously goes through. In justification, the person is delivered at once and eternally from the penalty of sin which is eternal damnation. In sanctification, the person goes through the process of being delivered from the power of sin in their everyday situations. James wrote about faith as part of the character of a Christian who is going through the process of maturing spiritually. James gave several illustrations of the type of works that faith should engender in the believer. He gave a hypothetical situation of someone coming to a Christian with physical needs but leaving with only words or prayers but no deeds are done to alleviate the needs. James called this behavior dead faith. Living faith goes beyond words and follows through with deeds. Next, James offered examples of faith by looking at two of the faithful who are recorded in Israel’s history. The example of Abraham clearly shows the relationship between Paul’s statement concerning faith and James’ statement. Both writers used Abraham as an example of faith. Paul referred to God recognizing Abraham believing Him and the promises He made to him and counting Abraham’s belief in Him as faith. Faith was reckoned to Abraham without Abraham performing any deeds or works at that time. James referred to Abraham’s actions many years after that encounter with God and offers it as the proof of the living faith which was in Abraham. We believe that justification comes from believing God’s words and trusting in Him that the works of Jesus satisfies the penalty of sin in all who receive it by faith. Being saved and having the Spirit of Christ in us should propel Christians to do good works just as Jesus did on earth in the flesh. Christians should do good works as we live through the sanctification process. James challenged believers to show forth or demonstrate their faith without using works but his choice was to show his faith by the works that resulted from having faith. Robert C. Hudson January 22, 2017