Real Faith Really Works
James 2:14-26
The faith that is dead (v. 14-17)
Intellectual only
The faith of the demons (v. 18-19)
Intellectual and emotional
The faith that is dynamic (v. 20-22, 24, 26)
Intellectual, emotional, and willful
Examples
Abraham (v.23)
Rahab (v. 25)
Slide
Well, it is summer time and the vacation season is upon us.
People will be traveling to vacations destinations around the country over the next month or so. We will be traveling west to the Rocky Mountains, one of the Lords’ spectacular creations.
Some may be traveling east to other popular destinations. One place that many honeymooners used to travel that is a spectacular creation of the Lord is Niagara Falls, which is between New York and Canada.
Slide
About 150 years ago, there was actually a man who crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. His name was Charles Blondin.
Slide
When he came to America and saw the Niagara Falls, he became obsessed with crossing them on a tightrope. That he did in 1859 for the first time.
From 1859 to 1860, he crossed the Niagara Falls 8 times performing different antics on the tightrope.
Once he balanced a chair on the tightrope and stood on it.
Another time, he took pictures of the crowd while balanced on the tight rope.
He cooked a meal on a small portable cooker and lowered it to the amazed passengers on the Maid of the Mist below.
He even took a wheel barrow across and once carried his manager on his back across the falls.
Slide
http://www.simpenguin.com/genealogy/blondin/charlesblondinbio.html
The story is told that when people had seen him take the wheel barrow across and even his manager on his back, he asked the people attending if they thought he could do it again. They all cheered that they thought he could. He asked them if they thought he could take a man in the wheelbarrow and cross Niagara Falls. They shouted even louder that they thought he could do it. Then, it is told that he asked the crowd, who wants to get in? There were no cheers this time, only silence.
There is a great difference between
believing something in your head and
believing something with your actions.
Turn with me to James 2:14-26.
Slide
We are going to see that James has a lot to say about a belief and a faith that does not produce action in our lives. In fact we are going to see that a real faith really works.
James 2:14-26
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.
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? 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. 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.
Pray
This section of Scripture has been one of the more controversial sections of Scripture throughout history.
It is controversial because it seems to contradict what Paul says.
Romans 3:28-For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
James says
James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
Wow, that seems pretty opposite, in fact it almost seems to be a different gospel that James is preaching.
I would argue that Paul and James are not preaching different gospels. They, in fact, are preaching the same gospel and believe the same things, as the same Holy Spirit has inspired them both.
But, I would argue that Paul and James are talking about two different aspects of faith.
Paul against legalism
Paul was most often preaching against legalism. There is no work that can be done by us that will justify a man in the eyes of God. Our justification and salvation are purely a gift from God apart from any work that we do.
James against laxity
James is not so much preaching against legalism as he is against laxity. He is saying that a real faith will be evident in the things a person does in the eyes of man. Notice in verse 18, he says, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
There were people that were saying, “Since we are saved by grace, it doesn’t matter what we do. We don’t have to do anything and in fact, we could do evil so God could extend even more grace to His glory.
Both Paul and James would say, “No Way!”
James obviously says that in this passage we just read.
But Paul says that too in
Romans 3:8 - Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
Paul says you can’t just do whatever you want and have a real faith. They will be condemned. A real faith changes you.
As I was preparing for this message, I was reading one pastor who I thought gave a great analogy.
He said Paul and James were like 2 law men in those old westerns we used to see on TV. They are standing back to back firing in opposite directions at different bad guys, but they are unified in purpose and thought.
Paul fighting against those who were saying they were saved on the basis of their good works.
James fighting those claiming to have faith and be saved, but they bore no fruit in their faith.
Jesus says that fruit is the evidence of real faith
Matthew 7:18-20
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
It is by the fruit in a person’s life that YOU will recognize other believers.
This is exactly what James is saying.
He is saying a real faith will be shown in real life.
Transition
James in this passage of Scripture talks about 3 different kinds of faith, 2 of which we find are not a real faith, they are not the kind of faith that saves.
The first faith that James talks about is
The Faith that is Dead
Slide
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.
A dead faith is a “faith” that is all talk and no action.
The Faith that is dead…
… is only “Intellectual”
Slide
It is not really faith as the Bible talks about it
James gives an example here about someone who says they believe, but there is no evidence of that belief by what they do.
“It is too bad that you don’t have food and clothes. Hope things get better for you. I’ll be on my way now.”
James is not just talking about some stranger on the street begging for money. He calls this person a brother or sister. When the Lord puts us in relationship with people, He gives us obligations to care for one another.
Not enablement
Now this doesn’t mean we enable someone’s bad behavior, but we are called to care for those that the Lord has placed in relationship with us.
If we aren’t acting in love in our actions, then we need to ask some serious questions about the reality of what we say we believe.
Faith that is only in our heads and not in our hands is a faith that is dead.
It is not a faith that brings salvation.
Caution
Now, I want to caution people here. There are some who have read this and forget the rest of the Bible and what they preach becomes a social gospel. They preach only the doing and not the believing. That too, will not save you.
Jesus talked about people who did things in his name, but did not have faith in Him, but had only faith in their works.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
They had no faith. They had no relationship with Christ that led them to action. They sought to justify themselves before God by their actions. We can never save ourselves by our acts. It is all through grace.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Our actions, our works, are a result of a real belief in Christ.
Real Faith Really works.
Transition
James goes on to talk about another kind of “faith” and that is
The Faith of the Demons
Slide
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.
This faith that the demons have is also based in knowledge. But they have a belief that is more than just knowledge but is emotional as well. It says they believe and shudder.
Their faith is
…is Intellectual and Emotional
Slide
A person may say they have faith, and even have a belief in all the right doctrines, in what is essential to true Christianity, and it may affect them in their emotions even, but just having an emotional response does not make faith real either.
The faith of the demons is not a saving faith even though they believe who Jesus is, what He came to do and are affected in their emotions.
Consider some of the passages where Jesus confronted demons.
In Mark 1:24, when Jesus is in the synagogue teaching, a demon possessed man cries out to Jesus "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24)
This demon knew exactly who Jesus was.
In Mark 5:6, Jesus is getting out of a boat and a man sees Jesus and it says, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”
Wow, this sounds like a man who has found the Lord. It seems he recognizes Jesus for who he is and he bows down to him.
This must be a true believer.
Let me read to you
Mark 5:6-7
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!"
This was a demon possessed man and this Demon knew exactly who Jesus was.
This demon might be able to agree completely with our doctrinal statement.
And this knowledge of Jesus and seeing Jesus had an emotional affect upon him, but he is not saved.
Apply
Some here may have right knowledge and even be emotionally affected by this knowledge. That is not a bad thing. But those 2 things alone are not evidence of a saving faith.
What is a saving faith then?
James tells us that the faith that saves is
The Faith that is Dynamic
Slide
Dynamic means something characterized by motion or action.
This is a real faith. It affects the whole man, all of who we are.
It affects us in our intellect, there are things that we need to know and believe.
It affects us in our emotions. A right knowledge of God will make us realize our sinfulness and need.
But it also affects us in our will. A saving faith will cause us to act, to put our beliefs in motion.
The faith that is dynamic
…is intellectual, emotional and willful
Slide
Look at James 2, beginning in verse 20.
James 2:20-26
20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 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. 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.
Again, James is talking about a real faith as evidenced to other men.
It is only through our actions that we and others know the reality of our faith and that even we can know the reality of our faith.
Paul tells us to examine ourselves so that we can know if we are true believers or not.
2 Corinthians 13:5
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?
How is it that we should examine ourselves? By looking at the out workings of our life.
The things we do. Do we act in faith?
Are we willing to sacrifice for others as the Lord has sacrificed for us?
Are we willing to help others in need thought it will take time?
Are we willing to serve and use our gifts to help others know about Christ?
If we just come to church on Sunday and think I believe what is being said, but on Monday we can go and live like the devil with no conviction in our life, we have got a problem.
I am not saying that Christians do not sin.
But if sin is all the “fruit” a “Christian” has, you need to be testing yourselves, examine your life to see if you are really in the faith.
James gives us 2 examples here in this text, that really couldn’t be more different.
First he uses Abraham, the father of Faith.
James uses the situation of Abraham offering Isaac.
His actions showed his faith.
He had faith that God was true to his word to keep his promise through Isaac.
In the great Hall of Faith as Hebrews 11 is known, the author of Hebrews says
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
His faith produced his actions.
Abraham did not rationalize out of what God told him to do.
He acted in faith and we today we see his great faith and it is an example to us.
James also gives the example of Rahab.
James goes to the opposite ends to show us that it does not matter how we have lived in the past to have a dynamic faith today.
Abraham was a godly Jewish man. Rahab was a sinful, gentile woman.
Both of them had a real and dynamic faith that caused them to act on what they believed.
Heb 11:31
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Her faith produced actions that put her in jeopardy from a human standpoint, but secured her life and eternity from a godly standpoint.
Conclusion
What kind of faith do you have?
Do you have only a head knowledge of who Jesus is and what He did?
Maybe you have a knowledge and that knowledge even affects you in your emotions. That is the kind of faith the demons have.
Or is your faith dynamic and when others see you, they can tell that you are a Christian?
Have you gotten in the wheelbarrow of Jesus? It sure is scary sometimes, but it is the safest and best place to be in regards to our eternity.
We all will come to a point where we are confronted with a choice to act on our faith or not. God puts that there to show us the reality of our faith.
What has God placed in front of you?
Confess and receive Christ
Maybe you are here today and you do have only head knowledge of Christ.
As an act of your will, turn to the Lord and do what the Bible tells us to do.
Romans 10:9 – “confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Baptism
After receiving Christ as Savior, the next step of faith is obedience to baptism. Baptism, according to the Bible, is something that comes after you have made a conscious decision to receive Jesus as Savior, not before.
Help someone
Maybe He is saying you need to help someone that He has placed in your life? Is it that out of work brother or sister that is on your heart? Act on that.
Serve
Maybe you need to act on that tug on your heart that the Lord is saying you need to serve.
Share the Good news
Or perhaps the Lord has placed a person at work or in your neighborhood on your heart that you need to share the gospel with. Invite them over for a cook out, or for a bonfire and lay the groundwork for that conversation.
Respond to God’s leading in your heart. To deny the things he is calling you to do should be a gut check for you and cause you to ask is my faith real.
A real faith will really work and bear fruit for the Lord.
Let’s pray.
Sermon outline based on message by Phil Morgan, A faith that works, http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/a-faith-that-works-phil-morgan-sermon-on-faith-vs-works-45306.asp
