The book of James speaks about such a religion. It is called the religion of DEAD FAITH. James evidently had some in his congregation who should have lost their religion.
The book of James is living proof that our circumstances change but mankind never changes. We have evidences of that today also. For example-
Illus: We can look at old pictures handed down to us from relatives it is easy to see that buildings, clothes, cars, and houses have changed tremendously. Yet when we study history we find people have not changed one iota! For example...
Illus: Many pastors are concerned about the many in their congregations who profess to be saved but whose lives do not reflect that they know the Lord and it is obvious in our text that James was concerned about that same thing.
We can conclude that James was writing to some who professed to be Christians, but who were not because he has so much to say about their DEAD FAITH. \
A DEAD FAITH does not have any WORKS.
Any time a minister of the gospel preaches from this passage, he needs to state one unequivocal thing. That is that SALVATION IS BY GRACE ALONE!
The Bible clearly teaches that SALVATION IS BY GRACE ALONE.
Since the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by GRACE ALONE, many feel there is a conflict between Paul’s writings and the book of James. Actually, on the surface, it does seem that Paul and James have a conflict.
Look at Romans 4:2-6. Paul makes it very clear that works have nothing to do with salvation. We read, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness WITHOUT WORKS.”
Paul makes it very clear salvation is acquired WITHOUT WORKS. There is not one single thing WE CAN DO OURSELVES to inherit salvation. Then we read some of James’ writings and it appears that James is saying salvation is by GRACE and WORKS.
Look at James 2:21-24. These verses sound like James is contradicting everything Paul said. We read, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
So, ON THE SURFACE, there appears to be a contradiction. But, As you EXAMINE the scripture CAREFULLY you will discover that there is not a conflict. They are saying the same thing. WHAT IS THE EXPLANATION? They take TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES toward salvation by grace.
Illus: Suppose I recognize you have a brain tumor and I tell you I am a brain surgeon. You may ask, “Where is your office?” I answer, “Well, I do not have an office. I work out of the trunk of my car to keep my overhead low.” For some reason you immediately become suspicious. You ask, “Where did you go to medical school?” And, I say to you, “Well, I never have been to medical school. I read how to do this operation in a Reader’s Digest and now I can do it.” If I had no evidence or proof, to support who I claim to be, you would not recognize me to be a brain surgeon.
You see, many people profess to be Christians, but there is no evidence in their lives to prove it.
• Paul was talking about a salvation GOD CAN SEE from HEAVEN. That is, God can look down from heaven and see in the heart of every man and woman and He knows which people have placed their faith in Him.
• James was talking about the evidence of that salvation that MAN CAN SEE. You and I are not like God. We can not look and see what is in a man’s heart. The only way we can know a person is saved BY GRACE is by the evidence of HIS WORKS!
Paul is talking about the ROOT OF OUR SALVATION, and James is talking about the FRUIT OF OUR SALVATION!
James said the same thing Paul said--Salvation is by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never ALONE.
No one here wants to stand before the Lord thinking you were saved and find out you were not. You do not want the Lord to say, “Depart from me. I never knew you!”
In order to avoid having that happen, let us look at TWO things you will find in a DEAD FAITH.
I. A DEAD FAITH HAS NO COMPASSION.
Look at 2:15-18. We read, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
A DEAD FAITH is a faith in words only. A person may use WORDS OF COMPASSION, but have no deeds.
James gives us an example of someone who is legitimately homeless. We all know that these are good days for the panhandlers of this nation who refuse to work, but want to live off of the compassion of others who will feel sorry for them.
Illus: We see folks from time to time by the side of the road with “Will work for food” written on a piece of cardboard. Perhaps some would work, but most would not. Just try asking them to rake your yard. See how much time they will spend talking to you. Probably none because they are not looking for work, they are looking for suckers who will reach in their pockets and take their hard-earned money and give it to them.
But, suppose someone came to you for help and you knew he met the criteria for being eligible to receive assistance. James says many will just look at him and say, “I am sorry I can not help you, but I hope you can find someone who can.” These words might be COMPASSIONATE WORDS, but that is all they are--JUST EMPTY WORDS!
Listen beloved, REAL SALVATION is not just WORDS. Real salvation is backed up by ACTION that backs up what we have said.
James is telling us that one can tell someone all day long that he loves the LORD and he loves CHRISTIANS, but we can not see that love until he reveals it by showing it with his actions.
Illus: You see, I can say that I love the Lord, but can never prove that to you because Jesus is not here in the flesh so I can walk up to Him and put my arms around Him and show you that I love Him. He is in HEAVEN.
But, you and I can walk up to someone, who is made in the image of God, living on this EARTH and tell him we love him and prove it by helping him in his need.
Jesus said that when you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto Him. Matthew 5:16 tells us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
James says that the man who has DEAD FAITH responds to the needy by saying, in verse 16, “...Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled...” Those are just empty words if he does not provide what the person needs.
People like that are like so many who profess to be saved who, when it comes to serving Christ, have the attitude--LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT!
James says that LIVING FAITH is not just COMPASSIONATE WORDS, but must be accompanied by COMPASSIONATE DEEDS. A DEAD FAITH HAS NO COMPASSION, also...
II. A DEAD FAITH HAS NO COMMUNION.
Again James wants us to realize there is a DEAD FAITH and a LIVING FAITH.
• A LIVING FAITH leads to salvation!
• A DEAD FAITH does not lead to salvation!
Look at James 2:19-20, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
James was using some strong words to describe those who have DEAD FAITH. He was saying they have the same kind of faith the devil has. That is, they are not atheists or even agnostics. They believe there is a God, but “So What?” The devil believes that much, yet he remains the devil.
They have the same kind of faith the devil has.
WHAT KIND OF FAITH DOES THE DEVIL HAVE?
Remember the story of when Christ went into the country of Gadara and he was approached by the man who was possessed with many demons? Remember, the demons in that man controlled him to the point that they actually took over his vocal cords and spoke through him? In that conversation we read THREE things that Satan believes about Christ.
A. His faith believes that Christ is the Son of God.
As Christ approached that demon-possessed man, the demons cried out, Matthew 8:29, “...What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?” In this point the devil is a lot smarter than some people. He is certainly smarter than the atheists.
Illus: Did you know they now have “Dial A Prayer” for atheists? They dial “0” and on the other end it is dead. Atheists also have been complaining that they do not have a national holiday in their honor. They went to Washington to express their discontentment and were told they did, in fact, have a holiday which honored them. It falls every year on April 1--APRIL FOOL’S DAY!
Notice, the demons acknowledged Jesus was the Son of God. He said, “...Jesus, thou Son of God...” Not only does Satan know that Jesus is God’s Son, also...
B. His faith believes that Jesus is THE HOLY Son of God.
The demons within that man of Gadara knew they were about to be cast out. They said, Mark 1:24, “...I know thee who thou are, THE HOLY ONE of God.”
C. His faith causes him to tremble.
Look at James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and TREMBLE.”
The devil knows that he is going to be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Likewise, there are those today who have a DEAD FAITH and they live every day with FEAR and TREMBLING because they know that Christ may come at any moment and they know they are not ready to meet Him.
The Bible says, “...perfect love casteth out fear...” (I John 4:18) When a person has LIVING FAITH he does not live his Christian life in dread and fear, but those who have the same kind of faith Satan has do not look forward to the day of Jesus’ return. Those need to lose their religion.
Conclusion:
Look at James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James is saying that DEAD FAITH is like a corpse. What do you expect from a corpse? Absolutely nothing! A corpse doesn’t move. It doesn’t do anything. That is the same thing a person does when he has DEAD FAITH.
All those who are considered to be giants of the Christian faith had actions to back up their words.
Abraham of old did not just say that he believed in God. His ACTIONS proved he believed in God. (James 2:21-23)
Rahab did not just say she believed in God. Her every ACTION proved she believed in God. (James 2:25)
We should get rid of the religion of DEAD FAITH out of our lives.
I. DEAD FAITH HAS NO COMPASSION
II. DEAD FAITH HAS NO COMMUNION
