Having Real Faith
We have been making our way through the book of James. If you will recall – I have said that the book of James is a very practical book. It is perhaps one of the most practical books in the Bible. James has been telling us that we need to put our beliefs – our faith - into practice. Today we are going to look at what it means to “Have Real Faith”.
Let me be very up front with you – there are a lot of false religions out there. There are a lot of people who think that they are Christians but they really are not. In the verses that we are going to look at today – from the book of James – he will talk about the difference between having real faith and having false faith in Christ. James will tell us what it means to have real faith. What we are going to look at is the most controversial and misunderstood passage of scripture in the book of James. Every false religion uses this passage to prove that you have to work your way to heaven - that you have to work for your salvation. Folks – let me be up front and open with you – if you don’t get anything else out of this sermon – get this!
We don’t work our way to heaven.
The entire New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith alone. Many of the writings of Paul tell us how to become a Christian - how we can be saved. By the time the book of James is written – he is talking about how live the Christian – not about salvation of the Christian. In other words – James is talking about “how to behave like a believer” – not about “how to become a believer”. There is no contradiction in the Bible on how a person is saved. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)
I want you to notice something very important in this passage of scripture. When Paul is writing to the Ephesians – he says, “We are saved by grace – through faith – not by works". That is what verses eight and nine teach us. But notice that verse ten goes on to say that – “we are created in Christ FOR good works.”
Jesus taught it this way:
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8 (NKJV)
You see Christians work for Christ. Why? So that we can BE saved? No! We work for Christ – because we have BEEN saved! We have been saved by grace through faith – not because of the works that we have done – but we are saved so that we can do good works for Christ because of His grace for us. We are saved by a free gift of God and because He has given me and you that gift – we now work for Him.
Let’s go ahead now and focus in on the book of James. Let’s look at five facts about faith:
1. Real Faith Is Not Just Something You TALK ABOUT
In James chapter two verse fourteen it says:
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14 (NKJV)
Notice that in this verse it does not say that person has faith – it just says that he talks about having faith. In other words - He knows the right language. He knows the right phrases. He knows what to say when he is around Christians. He can talk the talk – but the question is – can he walk the walk?
Today we tend to label people as Christians if they make the slightest sound about being a believer. But it’s more than just talking like a Christian that is involved in real faith. Jesus said it this way:
"Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)
Not everybody who has a Christian bumper sticker is a believer. Not everyone who wears a Christian tee shirt knows Christ as their savior. Not everyone who listens to Christian music is a Christian. Not everyone who is a professor of Christ is a possessor of Christ. Talk is cheap. If you say that you have accepted Christ as your savior and there has been no change in your life – be concerned! Real faith is NOT just something you talk about – it is NOT just something you say – it is something you live. Real faith involves your life - not just your lifestyle.
Fact two about real faith:
2. Real Faith Is Not Just Something You FEEL
Real faith is more than emotions. A lot of people confuse a high emotional state for the work of the Holy Spirit. There is no doubt in my mind that when the Holy Spirit is working – we should get excited. But just because a person is in a high emotional state does not mean that it’s the work of the Holy Spirit. You can go to church and quiver in your liver – get goose bumps – get thrills and chills all up and down your spine – but that does not mean it is the work of God. James tells us that real faith is more than the way we feel. James gives us this practical advice:
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” James 2:15-16 (NKJV)
We may feel bad about the situation that our brother and sister in Christ are in – but if we do nothing – what good does that do? Real faith is more than sympathy, empathy and emotions. Real faith takes the initiative and does something. A real believer has a faith that is practical. It gets involved with people. When you become part of God’s family – you have family responsibilities. Real believers care about other belivers.
There is a Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown and Linus are looking out the window at Snoopy. It’s winter time and Snoopy is outside in the cold. His dog food bowl is empty. He is looking sad and he is chilled to the bone. Charlie Brown says to Linus, “He’s cold and hungry. We ought to do something about it.” So they both walk outside and say to Snoopy, “Be of good cheer Snoopy.” Then they turn and walk away. Do you know where Charles Schultz got that idea? Right from this verse. What good is faith if it does not help people?
First John chapter three verse seventeen tells us:
“If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.”
1 John 3:17 (MSG)
Real faith gives. Real faith is generous. Real faith can be counted on in a crisis. Real faith is not just talking the talk – it’s walking the walk. Faith is more than feeling sorry for someone – it’s doing something about it.
But that’s not all:
3. Real Faith Is Not Just Something You THINK
For some people faith is an intellectual trip – a matter to be studied, debated and talked over. James understands this about some people when he says:
“But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18 (NKJV)
Can’t you just see what is going on here? Two guys get together and one says, “I have faith.” The other says, “I have faith too.” Then they start debating which has "real faith". Finally one says - "I can show you my faith - it can be seen by the works that I do."
Go ahead and circle the words “show me”. James says, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James is telling us that - "Faith is to be seen in our actions". There is evidence of faith - it called "works". In other words James is saying, “Prove to me that you have faith – I can prove to you that I have it. I can show you how faith has affected my life by the things I do for Christ.”
If you claim to be a Christian – if you have real faith – guess what – people will see it. Real faith is visible. James says that – “I will show you I have faith – by what I do!”
If I tell you that I believe my physical health is important and that I believe that everyone should maintain a healthy lifestyle – you would want to check me out - right? So you ask me – “Do you eat right?” I answer – “No, I eat whatever I want.” Then you ask – “Do you exercise?” The answer again is – “No, I don’t think that is very important.” Then you ask – “Do you get the proper rest? Do you take vitamins? Do you go to the doctor for regular check ups?” And my answer to all those questions is “No.” – what would you think about my statement that I believe everyone should maintain a healthy lifestyle? You would think that what I was saying was nothing more than hot air! That my actions did not back up my words. Guess what? The same is true of faith. If you have faith in Christ – James says, “Show me!” Prove it. Real faith changes things. If you grab hold of a live 220 volt wire – your going to know it. If you put your faith in Christ – you’re going to know it. James says:
“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:17 (BBE)
Faith in Christ - changes things. If you have faith – it is active – it does something. Faith is not just a though process – it causes action. But that’s not all:
4. Real Faith Is Not Just Something You BELIEVE
Look at what James chapter two verse nineteen tells us:
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!” James 2:19 (NKJV)
Just because you believe there is a God does not make you Godly. It does not make you a Christian. There are a lot of people who believe that there is a God. Some of them can even quote Bible verses. They may even know the Lord’s prayer by heart. They may want to talk to you about doctrine and theology. James says, “Big deal!” Just saying I believe in God is not enough to get you into the kingdom of heaven.
Go ahead and circle the word “believe”. In the Greek this word means – “to trust in, to cling to, to rely on, to commit yourself to completely”. I’m a Christian because I believe in and trust in Jesus. It’s more than head knowledge. It’s heart knowledge. I UNDERSTAND that Jesus came and died for my sins – it makes sense to me - that is head knowledge. But I also TRUST that Jesus came and died for my sins – that’s heart knowledge – I bet my eternal life on the fact that Jesus died for me.
Many in our country will tell you that they believe in Jesus. But when you ask them, “Do you attend church?” The answer is, “No.” “Do you worship with other believers?” “No.” “Do you give your time to help other people?” “No.” “Do you tithe?” “No.” Do you have a daily quite time with God? "No." Do you follow the teachings of the Bible? "No." Do you put the Bible into pratice in your daily life? "No." James would say, “That’s phony belief.” If you believe Jesus – if you trust in Him and you do what He tells you to do. You listen to Him - you follow Him. Jesus said it this way:
"If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15 (MSG)
I heard a great statement this week - it goes like this:
God will not save anyman - He can not COMMAND.
Real faith is more than just something you believe.
5. Real Faith Is Something You DO
Faith is not passive – it’s active. Faith is not just a comment – it’s a commitment. James gives a powerful example of faith in action. He tells about the faith of Abraham – follow along with me as I read:
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:21-23 (ESV)
You know the story. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar to God. Twenty-five years earlier God had already declared Abraham to be righteous. Abraham was already a believer when he was asked to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. This part of the story has nothing to do with salvation. This part of Abraham’s story has to do with putting faith into action. This part of the story has to do with Abraham being obedient. Abraham was faithful – he obeyed God. He followed the instructions that God gave him without question. He took up his son. He cut the wood. He built the altar. He took up the knife and was about to kill his son when God intervened. His actions of faith – proved his faith. He believed God – he trusted God – he obeyed God and he follows God’s instruction to the letter. His works proved that he had faith in God.
The Bible says:
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness — and he was called a friend of God.”
Our faith is not determined by what we do – it is demonstrated by what we do.
Second Corinthians chapter thirteen and verse five in the Message Bible says:
“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)
Ask yourself – “Am I really a Christian after all? In the light of what James says – am I really a Christian? Do I have the kind of faith that James talks about?” Ask yourself – “Is my life any different from unbelievers? Is my life showing evidence that Christ is in my life?” If not – you need to do something about it. You need to settle the issue right here and right now. You need to ask God to come into your life – and to take control of your life. You need to put your faith in Him. God wants you to follow Him – He wants you to commit to Him. Give your life to Him. Put your faith in Him today.
(Special thanks to Richard Warren for his sermon “How To Have Real Faith” which inspired this sermon.)
