INTRODUCTION
1. Open your bibles to James 2:14-26. This passage has much to say about the importance of both faith and works.
2. Years ago, there was an old gentleman whose job was to row people
across a river at a spot where there was no other way to cross.
(1) This elderly man was very religious and loved to preach in his own way. The
way he did it was unique. He called one of his oars “Faith” and the other he called “Works”.
(2) When someone got in his boat, he would first pull on the “Faith” oar and the boat would go in circles. “Faith only ain’t enough”, he would announce.
(3) Then he would pull on the “Works” oar and the boat would go in circles in the opposite direction. “Works only ain’t enough”, he would say.
(4) Then he would pull on both oars at once and the boat would go straight to the other side.
(5) “It takes both faith and works”!. the evangelistic boatman would triumphantly conclude.
3. The lesson that James 2:14-26 teaches is the same message that the old boatman would illustrate over and over with the use of his oar that he called “faith” and his oar that he called “works”.
14. Let’s begin our study of this passage from the second chapter of James.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, JAMES 2:14-16 TEACH THAT “FAITH WITH OUT WORKS IS OF NO PROFIT”- “SUCH A FAITH IS USELESS”.
1. Let’s read James 2:14-16, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 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?”
2. In v. 14a the word “Profit” means “to have value”. The first part of James’ question is this: “Of what value” is it to say one has faith if one does not work, does not obey?
(1) The New English Bible has, “What use is it?” The understood answer is none. Faith without works is useless.
(2) We might notice that James does not deny that this man has faith (in fact, James refers to his faith in the last part of the question).
(3) The trouble was that the man’s faith was expressed only in talking. He said he had faith. But by just telling the man who needed clothing and food to go and find his food and clothing somewhere else he was not demonstrating faith that was active.
(4) He just had “talking faith” which was useless and of not profit in the eyes of God.
3. In verse 14, the last part, the word “save” is in a context that teaches that one is not going to be saved by “faith only”.
(1) The word “saved” can refer to being saved from past sins at the point of baptism. Mark 16:16 declares: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”.
(2) The word “saved” can also refer to being saved eternally, when one is faithfully obedient unto death. Matthew 24:13 declares: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved”.
(3) Since James is writing to Christians, I would assume that the second type of salvation is primarily in view.
(4) But what difference does it make? There are only two classes of people now, and there will only be two classes of people in the judgment, the saved and the lost!
(5) James says here that works has to do with going to heaven. If you want to go to heaven, don’t just say “Lord, Lord”, but do the will of God in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
4. In James 2:15&16, James establishes a general principle applicable to “all Christians”. To establish his principle James gives an illustration of talking but not doing.
(1) In vs. 15&16 James says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 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?”
(2) Let’s try to visualize what James is telling us as he gives his illustration.
(3) James is telling us of a brother or sister in Christ that comes to a Christian and the one who comes is in need of clothing and food and yet the Christian that could help him, does not help him, but rather tells him to depart.
(4) The one who has been told to “depart” is not a professional bum, but is genuinely hungry and lacks adequate clothing to cover his body. It may be cold weather.
(5) The needy person is not wanting luxuries. He is only seeking help for what is necessary for his survival.
(6) It is obvious that he is in need. His need shows. We can see him standing in his rags with the cold winds whistling about him and the snowflakes beginning to swirl about his hungry and scantly clothed body.
(7) His face is pale and wrinkled. His skin has the dry, scaly look of dehydration.
(8) Without help, he cannot last long upon this earth.
(9) And what is the response? It is “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled”!
a. “Go in peace” was the standard Jewish farewell. It was roughly equivalent to our cheery “Have a good day!”.
b. “Be warmed and filled” just meant “I surely hope your needs are taken
care of”. “I hope some one down the street will be able to help you”.
c. But the uncompassionate man did nothing to take care of those needs. He didn’t share what he had in his house; he didn’t offer to take him to the local restaurant and clothing store;
d. he didn’t get him in touch with the deacon in charge of benevolence!
e. He just sent him off with words. Cold, empty, useless, meaningless words.
5. What did this profit?
(1) Nothing. You can’t wrap words around a shivering cold body.
(2) There is no nutrition in words. There are no calories in words.
(3) Words without works are worthless, useless!
6. Turn to 1 John 3:16-18. John emphasizes that since Christ went so far as to die for us, then Christians should be willing to sacrifice enough that we would give of our material goods to others. Let’s read 1 John 3:16-18, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
II. SECOND, JAMES 2:17 TEACHES THAT “FAITH WITHOU WORKS” IS NOT ONLY OF “NO PROFIT” AND “USELESS”, BUT THAT IT IS ALSO A “DEAD FAITH”.
1. Let’s read James 2:17, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”.
2. Faith without works is dead, being alone [being by itself]. It is dead outwardly and inwardly.
(1) For an illustration: A rose bush in the winter appears dead, but it will come to life in the spring.
(2) However, faith without works is dead through and through, with no life whatever. Let’s read verse 26, where James, a second time, declares that “faith without works is dead.” "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (Jas. 2:26).
(3) Let’s also read verse 20, where that a third time James declares that verbal faith only is a dead faith, “20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
(4) As a hungry man is not profited by warm words and fair speeches, so neither is there any blessing
for the faith which does not prompt faithful obedience to the Lord’s will.
(5) A person that has the “words only kind of faith” knows the right “words”, but they do not back up their words with their “works”!
3. Can this kind of faith save?
(1) No! Three times in this passage, James emphasizes that “faith without works is dead” as we have just read from James 2:17,20&26.
(2) Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false
declaration: A dead faith!
(3) Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence about how to receive eternal life
4. Can people of the 21st Century have this kind of faith? Dead faith, we’re talking about?
(1) We do, if our walk does not measure up to our talk!
(2) We do, if our works do not measure up to our words!
(3) We need to beware of mere intellectual faith. As on bible commentator has said, “No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, anymore than he came into contact with a 220-volt of electrical shock and remain the same.”
(4) Let’s again, let James refresh our minds with his illustration about the man needing food and clothing and the way that far too many people of the 21st Century react to such a man or woman.
The hungry and cold person expresses their need, but the professing Christian says, “See you later? Good luck! Hope you find some clothes and food! Best wishes to you!”
Words have been expressed, but nothing has been done to help the needy person. No compassion or mercy was extended. James calls this a “dead faith”.
The last thing a hungry and poorly clothed person wants to hear is “good luck, hope you find what you need.” Such is a dead comment.
(5) Can Christians and people of the 21st Century be guilty of “dead faith”? Sadly, yes, they can! Let’s you and I pray that we will not be the ones that are guilty!
5. As a contrast to “dead faith” what are some examples from the bible of a “living faith”?
(1) Turn to Acts 2:44-47. This passage gives an example of the church immediately after it had its beginning in the city of Jerusalem. On the first day there were about 3,000 new converts. Acts 2:7-11 refers to these people coming from 16 different nations.
They were Jews who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. The first gospel sermon was preached and there was the conversion of this 3,000. The preaching of the gospel was new and good news was great and they wanted to stay in Jerusalem and learn more of and have the apostles teach them.
The majority of them stayed for a quite a few months and the most of them for possibly 4 or 5 years. Members of the church were not commanded to sell and share, but a great majority voluntarily did sell their land and share with those that were living away from their normal home. Their example is an example of a living faith. As a result of their living faith expressed in doing benevolence and the teaching of God’s word, soul’s were added to the church daily.
Let’s read Acts 2:44-47, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
What a beautiful example of “living faith”. In Acts 4:32-37 another report is given about the church in Jerusalem and their “living faith”.
The Talco church of Christ, the North Jefferson church of Christ, the Mt. Vernon church of Christ and every congregation of the Lord, throughout the world, should demonstrate the same kind of “living faith”.
(2) Turn to Luke 10:30-37. In this passage Jesus gives two examples of “dead faith” expressed by a by professing religious priest and by a professing religious Levite. In this same parable Jesus gives the example of “living faith” by a Samaritan who did not profess to be a friend to the Jewish religion or to the Jew, who was in need.
Let’s read Luke 10:30-37, “30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
In this story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus makes clear that those who belong to Him are obligated to help anyone in need—friend or stranger, fellow citizen or foreigner, admired or despised. And, as far as we are able, we are to see that the person’s need is completely met. The Good Samaritan help the beaten man and then left money for the inn keeper to use for additional help that the beaten man might need.
(3) Turn to Matt. 25:32-46. In this parable Jesus teaches that when “living faith” is involved in helping others, Jesus recognizes such as doing something for him. Jesus teaches that “living faith” and “dead faith” will determine whether he classifies us with the sheep or the goats on the day of judgment.
Let’s read Matt. 25:32-46, “31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
CONCLUSION
1. Turn to Mark 16:16. If you are not a Christian Jesus challenges you to either demonstrate a “living faith” or a “dead faith” as we read his words. Let’s read v. 16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
2. Turn to 1 John 1:9. If you are a Christian and have backslid, this verse challenges you to “demonstrate a living faith”. Come forward and confess your sins and ask the church to pray with you. Let’s read v. 9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
3. As we stand and sing, if you need to respond, but don’t and just stay in the pew you be demonstrating a “dead faith”. “Dead faith” is a faith that will not be of any profit or value to you. It will be useless.
4. Please come as we stand and sing and demonstrate a “living faith”!
