First Baptist Church
James 2:14-26
September 23, 2001
James is one of my favorite books of the Bible because it is practical. James is straight forward and does not beat around the bush. Today’s passage is considered one of the most controversial and misunderstood passages in James. Where is James coming from when he makes radical statements like verse 17, ‘faith without works is equal to a dead faith?’ And the one he makes in verse 24, when he tells us "a person is justified by works, and not faith alone." Over the ages we’ve learned that we aren’t saved by our works, instead, we’re saved by our faith. That’s one of the key beliefs of Christianity.
I mean didn’t he ever read Paul’s letters? In Romans 10:9-10, Paul wrote, "if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and is so justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved."
Or what about Ephesians 2:8-9, when Paul wrote, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast."
Actually, if you must know, James was written before any of Paul’s letters were written. While the statements from James and Paul seem to be going in opposite directions, there really is a pretty simple explanation, in the end Paul and James are actually in agreement.
You see, Paul was writing to people who were Jewish and believed that all they had to do to find salvation is do good works. And Paul is telling them that the first and most important step is to have faith in Jesus. For that is the beginning point of our salvation. I can do all kinds of good works, but those good works, left to themselves, will not give me salvation.
On the other side of the argument is James telling people that simply saying I believe in Jesus is just not enough. Why isn’t it enough? Because out of our faith in Jesus must come action. Our actions prove that we believe in Jesus.
We could use the Greek word "Metanoia." Because that word means to "change ones mind." When we believe in Jesus, in essence, we are changing our mind from not believing to believing, and James tells us that actions prove our faith. Our actions prove that we have a change of mind and heart.
Ultimately, James and Paul are in agreement. Paul adds in Ephesians 2:10, ‘we were created to do good works.’ Read 2 Corinthians 5:10 or 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and you will see that Paul placed a great importance upon actions. Paul also teaches us about Spiritual Gifts and the Fruits of the Spirit for the simple reason that faith must lead us to action.
Let me put this in practical terms. Have you ever known people who say over and over that they love you. But you really doubt their words, WHY? Because they’re not showing that they love you. My dad has always said ‘love is just another 4 letter word.’ In other words, prove to me, show me that you love me. In the same way James is telling us that we can tell the whole world that we are Christians, but if we don’t show love, then are we really Christians?
In 1 John 4:20, John tells us ‘those who say "I love God" and hate their brothers and sisters are liars. . . and they cannot love God." In 1 John 3:18, John also tells us "let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." Do you see what John is saying? He is agreeing with James, demonstrate your faith through your actions.
Maybe all of this is becoming a little confusing, so let’s just take a close look at what James is getting at —
Again, James makes things crystal clear with an illustration. Suppose someone comes to you and asks you for something to eat because they’re hungry. Instead of feeding them, you talk about God’s riches and blessings. You give them example after example of how God met people’s needs from Genesis to Revelation. You tell them how God fed the Israelites manna from heaven while they traveled in the desert. How He fed Elijah by ravens at the brook. You tell them how He fed the widow at Zeraphath. How Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. You say God can meet your every need and then you pray for them, wish them well and close the door. James asks the question, What good was all that information to the hungry person, because they’re still hungry?! The person didn’t need a sermon, they needed a sandwich. So, James concludes that story with verse 17, "so faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
Now that is a pretty clear example. And we can give 100’s of examples of Christian brothers and sisters who have said they love God and serve God, yet their actions tell you that they have hearts of stone, that they’re filled with bitterness and anger, they’re judgmental of anyone or anything different than they are. What type of a Christian witness is that? It isn’t.
So, James continues to make his argument that knowledge of God alone is not sufficient. Why? Because when it comes to orthodox belief in God, no one’s more correct than the demons of Hell. They would agree with every word of every creed. You wouldn’t have to argue one word of doctrine with satan and his demons. Their esteem of the Bible is probably greater than yours or mine. BUT, and you knew this was coming, the demons of Hell are condemned to the Lake of Fire, and nothing will change that. James said, "You say you believe in God. That’s nice. The demons believe in Him too. In fact, they quake in their boots at God’s power."
James’ point is that it is not enough just to believe the right things. That’s why the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is so profound. We see a pharisee and a priest walk on the other side of the street so they won’t have to deal with the man who was injured by thieves. Did the pharisees and Levites believe in God? ABSOLUTELY! Nobody knew the scriptures better than the pharisees. And the priests were the ministers of the day. Both were esteemed people, yet, neither one did a thing to help that poor person who was robbed and left half-dead. We can be just like the pharisees and priests, using the Bible as an excuse not to help, or we can follow Jesus’ royal law of loving our neighbor and proving it by our actions.
Do you know what the purpose of this church is? It’s Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands us to make disciples of all people by teaching them all He taught us. That is not just the great commission of the church, it is the great commission of every Christian. So let me ask you, what is it that you’re doing to build God’s kingdom?
In fact, let’s do something we never do, let’s take a break from me doing all the talking . . . Yes, I know this can seem like school where we have to talk out loud and risk. But do you know what, there’s really no wrong answers when we seek to serve Jesus. Sometimes people tell me that I’m supposed to be the idea man. I’m supposed to be the one who tells us what to do and then you’ll do it. That is a poor way of leading a church. If we have 85 people here this morning, then there are 85 different thoughts about how we can serve Jesus. We have 85 people who are now thinking about what you can do to make your faith visible.
So, let’s stop, and you tell me what can you do, and what can we do as a church to show that we have faith in Jesus Christ? PAUSE and TALK > > >
It is not enough to just believe the right things. We must have a transforming faith, a faith that produces righteous acts in our lives. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any person be in Christ, they are a new creature, the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." That kind of faith is not dead at all. In the same way, in Romans 12:2, Paul tells us that we must no longer be conformed to the world, but we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
The call of the Gospel is transformation. We must strive everyday to be created more and more in the image of Jesus Christ. Doers of the Word, because we have the faith to believe that Jesus died even for me.
1) Faith & works are like the 2 chemical ingredients of salt, which is composed of 2 poisons, sodium and chloride. If we eat either of them alone we would die, but when we properly combine them, we have NaCl which is common table salt.
2) Billy Graham had this to say about faith and works and their relationship to each other: "There really is no conflict between faith and works. In the Christian life they go together like inhaling and exhaling. Faith is taking the Gospel in; works is taking the Gospel out." What James is saying is: you can’t have one without the other.
Are you moving forward in commitment? Are you taking those steps, difficult though they may be in the direction God has called you? There’s that area he’s called you to serve in. There’s that risk he’s asked you to take. Are you responding with firm commitment?
How’s your passion for Jesus Christ? Is he still a side issue, a compartmentalized part of your busy life? Or is He the center around which your world revolves? Are you still fooling around with other concerns and pleasures or is Jesus your solid rock, your firm foundation?
(Hopefully I will be able to add this statement) After all of the ideas that we have generated this morning, we should be excited about our future as Christ’s Church. Now, let’s take the next step and take action. Ideas without action are also dead. Does that characterize your faith or are you willing to stand alone if need be and proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ?
That decision may very well determine your eternity. Would you pray with me . . .
