James 2:14-26 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 not accompanied by action, is dead. (18) But some 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 alter? (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 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.
Faith without works is dead. How often have I heard that sitting in the pews. James talks about meeting peoples needs as a way of showing faith. I want to take that a step further.
(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 not accompanied by action, is dead.
In the previous verses of chapter 2, James talked about prejudice, pride and discrimination and he concluded with “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Putting that together with the reading this week, and I see that a way of showing our faith by our deeds is to not be prejudice or discriminatory.
Jesus taught us about giving in Matthew 6:1-4.
He told us not to do our acts in front of men but to do them in secret. Do not let our left hand know what your right hand is doing. Our honor is not what is important. What is important is how we portray or faith in our everyday lives. Our actions must be out of mercy and compassion. There is not a single example in the bible where Jesus Christ did anything to honor himself. Rather, he was always seeking to honor his father. His life was a living example of mercy and compassion.
(18) But some 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.
As believers in Jesus Christ, it is our responsibility to show our faith by our actions. No matter how long a person has believed, unless his actions show a belief, there is no way to tell. How can a love that fills and changes your life not affect how you act? The answer is that it is not real belief but rather an intellectual agreement with the principles Of Jesus Christ. Some of the more astute scholars I have read refer to this as intellectual assent. That is not true belief or love. It is an incomplete faith with the beginning of a foundation but concrete to build on. If our lives were to remain unchanged, then we would not be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.
(19) You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that -- and shudder.
In Luke 4:33-35, the demons shouted in the synagogue! They knew who Jesus was. They called him ‘the holy one of God!’ I have to give the demons credit here, How many of us would recognize Jesus if we saw him? Yet the demons were in the synagogue and knew who Jesus was.
(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 alter? (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.
If you are not familiar with the history of Abraham and Isaac, read Genesis 22.
Abraham believed God and though Isaac was his only son, Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac to God. How many of us would have that kind of faith and take that action? If God told you to do something that is completely against your heart, would you do it? If God asked you to give up something near and dear to your heart, something he had blessed you with and had answered your prayer for, would give it up without worry? Abraham did and it was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham became the only man in the bible who has been referred to as God’s friend.
It is our actions that define our faith. Faith that is felt from deep in your soul is a life altering faith. It will inspire action. Your love of what Christ did for you will make you want to be more like him. The actions that our faith brings about will be an example of our belief. I am not saying that our actions will justify us because they will not. I am saying that out of love of Christ, our faith will govern our actions and our actions will inspire others.
(25) In the same way, was not Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
God is able to use everybody to suit his will. Just because we have been given the gift of free will does not mean that God cannot use sinners just as he uses believers. God knows the hearts of all people. He knows what we will do before we do. His infinite wisdom governs the course of the entire world and each life.
(26) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
In conclusion, we all know that we are sinners. While we are yet saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are still not perfect. In someway or another, we all have fallen victim to sin in our lives. It is only by the mercy and compassion of Christ that we are forgiven these sins. It is that same mercy which needs to drive our faith into action. We need to show out faith by what we do, not just simply put lip service to it. It is easy just to say, yes I believe but harder to prove it. Strive to prove your faith by your actions.
