Fleshing Out Your Faith Series

Has your faith been fleshed out? When something is fleshed out you put skin, flesh and meat over the bones. The same must occur in our spiritual lives. Our faith must be covered with substance. Without substance there is no faith.

James spoke of the relationship between faith and works. Without works there is no faith. Without faith there is no works. Faith must be fleshed out. In James 2:14-26 James discusses three types of faith. He does a comparison so that a person may examine his faith to determine that it has substance. In fleshing out your faith it helps to know your standing.

Look at the three types of faith identified by James.

1. Dead Faith...James mentions dead faith three times. (vs. 17, 20, 26)

• Dead faith is confused.(vs. 14)

• Dead faith is cold.(vs. 15-16)

• Dead faith is empty. (vs. 17)

2. The Faith of Demons...James mentions the faith displayed by the demons.

• The faith of demons is intellectual. They believe in God and Jesus.(vs. 19)Intellectual agreement is not sufficient.

• The faith of demons is moved by emotion. The Bible says they tremble.(vs. 19)

3. Saving faith...James discusses saving faith. He identifies it in verse 14 and illustrates it in verses 20-26. Two examples of saving faith are given. Their faith and works were both evident. Their faith was fleshed out by their works.

1.Abraham was one example.

2.Rahab was the other example.

Both Abraham and Rahab gave evidence of faith and works in their spiritual lives. Their faith was fleshed out. Notice the qualities of their saving faith. Saving faith is characterized by:

• Saving faith is confirmed by works. (vs. 22)

• Saving faith is confirmed by God. (vs. 23)

• Saving faith is evidenced by confidence.(vs. 23)