Faith and Works James 2:14-26 Pastor Keone

James 2:14-17 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2:14-17 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  Genuine saving faith is evidenced by works

Is James contradicting Paul?

Is James contradicting Paul? NO!!

Is James contradicting Paul? NO!! combating legalism addresses how a person might be saved James combating superficial faith addresses how a saved person acts

Is James contradicting Paul. NO Is James contradicting Paul? NO!! Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Is James contradicting Paul. NO Is James contradicting Paul? NO!! Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as 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 so that we would walk in them.

“It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone.” -John Calvin

James 2:18-19 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds James 2:18-19 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

James 2:18-19 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds James 2:18-19 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Assent to truth is not genuine saving faith.

Genuine saving faith Is based on the Word of God Involves the whole person – mind, emotions, will Leads to action

James 2:20-23 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

James 2:20-23 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.  Faith and works go together

James 2:24-26 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:24-26 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Genuine saving faith results in good works

Where are you at in terms of your faith and works?

Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God? Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been made uneasy about my sin? Do I truly understand the Gospel that Christ died for my sins and rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself? Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?

Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit? Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus? Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him? Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight for me? Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?