JAMES 2:14-20
AUTHENTIC FAITH WORKS
[Matthew 7:15-23]
An authentic believer must not only demonstrate his love by ready acceptance of others in the church, but he must also demonstrate his faith by responsible assistance to others. Those who possess authentic faith put it to work.
Even in the early church many claimed they had saving faith that were not saved. Where ever there is the true you find the counterfeit. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21. "Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
How do you know dead faith from true faith? People with dead faith substitute words for helpful deeds. They may know all the vocabulary for prayer and testimony and may even be able to quote scripture, but their work does not measure up to their talk. Words are no substitute for works. Authentic faith is revealed with real deeds (CIT).
I. MEANINGLESS FAITH, 14.
II. WORDS VERSES WORKS, 15-17.
III. TRUE FAITH WORKS, 18-20.
Verse 14 declares that intellectual faith without substantiating deeds is void of salvation. "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?"
Verse 14 begins another shift in the epistle as is indicated by James’ use of my brethren. He introduces this new paragraph with a rhetorical question, What good is it....if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? The Greek construction indicates a no answer is expected. Can the kind of faith that is not seen in practical works save anyone? The answer is NO! Any declaration of faith that does nothing is worth nothing. James is talking about a particular kind of faith, a faith that produces no works. Some may have an intellectual acceptance of certain biblical truths. This faith is worthless because it is all talk with no walk.
The New Testament supports this truth. Obedience is the necessary proof of true faith (Mt. 7:21, 25:31-46, Lk. 3:7). We who quote Ephesians 2:8-9 often forget that verse 10 follows. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand so that we would walk in them. God’s grace that brings about a new creation causes that new creation to walk the path of good deeds. There are no exceptions. Faith must be lived out through deeds. Faith works.
The Bible does not teach a salvation by works but it does not teach a salvation that does not work either. Note, there are no true works if faith in Jesus alone has not preceded them and if they are not done in the power of the Holy Spirit. But if there is genuine faith, good deeds will naturally follow. Faith and good works are not enemies but buddies.
[BUDDY SYSTEM] On October 25, 1983, an elite Ranger division parachuted onto the new Point Salinas airstrip on the tiny island of Granada. Such an act presents one of the most daring and dangerous situations a soldier can face. Enemy fire bursts from all directions at once. Immediately, the infantry employed the "buddy system." fighting back to back, two infantrymen cover themselves until the objective is taken. In the same way, James and Paul fought the early, great battle of the church with the "buddy system." As brothers in Christ, they covered each other and all generations of believers by establishing the true nature of saving faith that works. Works of obedience to God’s Word, not words that claim salvation, are the only acceptable demonstration of your faith.
II. WORDS VERSES WORKS (15-17).
Verses 15 and 16 illustrate this claim of faith that does not save. If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
The rhetorical question is followed by a hypothetical but realistic illustration. Suppose a Christian brother or sister is without clothing and daily food and you sentimentally tell them "goodby, I wish you well." But nothing is done to meet the pressing serious need, what good is your well wish?
The Apostle Paul spoke of "faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). The apostle John wrote "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth (1 John 3:17-18). We indicate what we believe not so much by what we say but by what we do.
Samuel Bradburn, an ASSOCIATE OF JOHN WESLEY, was highly respected by his friends and used by God as an effective preacher. On one occasion he was in desperate financial need. When Wesley learned of his circumstances, he sent him the following letter: "Dear Sammy: ‘trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.’ Yours affectionately, John Wesley." Attached to the letter was a 5-pound note (then worth about $10).
Bradburn’s reply was prompt. "Rev. and Dear Sir: I have often been struck with the beauty of the passage of Scripture quoted in your letter, but I must confess that I never saw such a useful ‘expository note’ on it before."
Some one has said, "Pious talk can’t take the place of helpfulness." To profess faith in Christ as Savior and Lord but ignore the needs of fellow believers is inconsistent. James said that true faith translates into compassion in action. The best commentary on faith is actions.
The priest and the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan each had religious training and profession, but neither of them paused to assist the dying man at the side of the road (Lk. 10: 25-37). Each stood ready to defend their faith but neither demonstrated that faith in loving works.
Verse 17 indicates that good wishes consisting of mere talk are empty and lifeless. even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Faith by itself without deeds is a vain boast. Without the evidence of actions, faith is dead. Workless faith, is worthless faith; it is unproductive, sterile, barren, dead! It is dead outwardly and inwardly, in its root as well as its branches.
You can boast about a body that is suppose to be alive. But if it does not move, has no vital signs, no heart beat, no perceptible pulse, it is dead no matter who says what. The false claims are silenced by the evidence.
Beware of mere intellectual faith. No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same anymore than he can come into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same. A faith that does not move one to action, a faith having no distinguishable works or life is dead. Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls a person into a false sense of security. Christians show forth works of love that prove their faith is real, is alive.
When DAVE THOMAS died in early 2002, he left behind more than just thousands of Wendy’s restaurants. He also left a legacy of being a practical, hard-working man who was respected for his down-to-earth values.
Among the pieces of good advice that have outlived the smiling entrepreneur is his view of what Christians should be doing with their lives. Thomas, who as a youngster was influenced for Christ by his grandmother, said that believers should be "roll-up-your-shirt sleeves" Christians.
In his book Well Done, Thomas said, "Roll-up-your-shirtsleeves Christians see Christianity as faith and action. They still make the time to talk with God through prayer, study Scripture with devotion, be super-active in their church and take their ministry to others to spread the Good Word." He went onto say they are "anonymous people who are doing good for Christ may be doing even more good than all the well-known Christians in the world."
That statement has more meat in it than a Wendy’s triple burger. Thomas knew ab out hard work in the restaurant business; and he knew it is vital in the spiritual world also.
Let’s Roll-up-our-shirt sleeves, there is plenty to do. [Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread]
III. TRUE FAITH WORKS (18-20).
Verse 18 warns against faith that only exists as a creed or doctrine which does not move one into action for Christ. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
One is justified by grace through faith alone apart from works or observing the law. Even good deeds apart from works or law keeping can never earn salvation, but true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds.
James challenged his imaginary respondent to show me your faith without works. How can a person demonstrate their faith without works? It is impossible. Faith cannot be demonstrated without deeds. Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and experiencing His transformed life living in us. Faith never stands alone without the works that demonstrate it. God saves by faith alone but faith in Christ means living for Christ which means being obedient to Christ which means Christ-like deeds. If you have no Christ-like deeds you have no Christ (1 Jn. 5:12). The claim of faith must be validated by deeds that are the true expression of that faith. For the faith that does not change a life has no power to save it.
Verse 19 expresses the truth that correct belief alone does not save. What saves is being transformed by our belief. You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
The great Jewish profession of faith is found in the Shema which begins with this declaration of belief in the one true God (Deut. 6:4ff). Right doctrinal belief is good but it is no more than assent to right knowledge and in itself has no saving power. Right belief about God does not connect one with God. You can believe that all the doctrines of the Christian faith are good and right and not be saved. Mere mental faith does not save. If it did all the demons of Hell would be saved.
Demons are neither atheists or agnostics. They believe Christ is co-equal with God, they even state so with their lips (Mk. 3:11ff). They believe in the existence of a place of punishment (Lk . 8:31), and recognize that Jesus Christ is the Judge (Mk. 5:1-13). They also submit to the power of His Word, they do what He tells them. They not only believe and obey, they get emotional about it, James says they tremble because of what they believe about Jesus. Their hair stands on end in God’s presence.
But it is not a saving experience to believe facts, obey Jesus’ commands and even fear Him. If so all the demons of Hell would be in heaven along with satan himself. You can understand with your mind and be stirred in your heart and be lost forever! True saving faith involves something more, it involves the commitment of your life to Jesus that allows Him to come in and change the course of it.
O friend rest not with your defense of the orthodox faith. Look and see if the works of faith and the labors of love are active and alive within your life. Believe not the lie. Faith without a commitment of your life to Christ, that causes you to live daily for Him is worthless.
Verse 20 calls us to recognize that these conclusions are true. "But are you willing to recognize, You foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?"
James extends to his listeners an invitation to learn with the words are you willing to recognize. Are you willing to understand that fruitless faith is ineffective and worthless? Far too often we prefer our empty life to the full life of serving Jesus. Are you willing to turn from you vain spiritual understanding and let Christ have your life or do you still desire to remain in control like the demons of hell do?
Again the Bible says that faith without works is dead. The word dead (mataios) can be translated idle or useless. The point of the question is that a barren faith is worthless, serves no purpose, does not produce salvation.
[PULLING OUT BOTH OARS] An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word "Faith" and on the other oar the word "Works." Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of these oars. The old man, being a well-balanced Christian and glad for the opportunity to testify said, "I will show you."
Then he dropped one oar and plied the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the oar called Faith, and the little boat just went around in circles again - this time the other way around, but still in a circle.
After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works, and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger. "You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and faith without works is dead also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing."
CONCLUSION
Can a non-working faith save a person? The Bible says that a faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith. This does not refute the doctrine of justification by true faith alone but a far too common easy believism that never moves a person into Christian service. Both Paul and James define true faith as a living productive result of trusting Christ with you life.
Good works have nothing to do with obtaining salvation but they will accompany genuine saving faith. If you claim to be born again can you point out the fruit that verifies the fact. What are the life signs of your living faith? Faith and works are like the candle and its light, they cannot be separated.
