Talk is Cheap: Faith Works James 2:14-26 Talk is Cheap: Faith Works

First We See the Question: What is Genuine Saving Faith? James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? Notice that James sets up a contrast between a faith that has works and a faith that does not have works—not a contrast between faith and works.

Second We See an Illustration James 2:15-17 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.

Third We See a Hypothetical Objection James 2:18-20 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?

Fourth We See Example Number 1: Abraham James 2:21-24 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [Gen. 22] 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”—[Gen 15:6] and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Notice the word “alone” as in faith without works.

The Apparent Problem Romans 4:2-3 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

The difference between Paul and James consists in the sequence of works and conversion: Paul denies any efficacy to pre-conversion works, but James is pleading for the absolute necessity of post-conversion works.   Douglas Moo, James, 106

Paul Anticipates the Abuse of His Teaching Romans 3:8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying…   Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Let Scripture Interpret Scripture Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Let Scripture Interpret Scripture Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   Matthew 7:15-20 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.

Fourth We See Example Number 2: Rahab James 2:25-26 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.

The Emphasis of James James 2:14, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” James 2:14, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:20, “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” James 2:26, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”