Have Faith, Will Work
James 2:14-16
Introduction
Faith is certainly an essential element in the Christians life for without faith it is impossible to please God. Look at Hebrews 11:6 which says “but without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Another reason why faith is an essential element for a Christian is because we are saved by faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “ We are to live by faith as we as we walk through our lives. God instructs in this in II Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” On faith do we place our salvation and on faith should we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who we can not see with our earthly eyes but who we can feel in our hearts. We must understand that whatever we do apart from faith is sin. Romans 14:22-23 states “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. “
So faith is essential to the life of a Christian. It is the foundation upon which our lives are built. If our foundation is weak it will crumble during the trials and tribulations we face. We need to build up our foundation, solidify it with the study of Gods word, which is the cement that supports our house. We need to shore our faith up with prayer which is the rock found in the cement of our foundation. Then we can apply God’s teaching to building up our spiritual life, which is the house that sits upon our foundation. A weak foundation causes a weak house to fall; a strong foundation will withstand the battering of the storms in our life.
It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds of faith, but only one that is truly “saving faith”. In James 2:14-26, we find James discussing the different kinds of faith, with an emphasis upon that faith which saves the soul. Beginning in verses 14-17, we notice the first kind of faith. We might call this kind of faith Dead Faith.
Dead Faith
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 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? 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Look, here James is pointing to people who know the correct vocabulary for prayer and they know sound doctrine. They can even quote the correct verses from the Bible. But when it comes time to meet the words with action they drop the ball. They can talk the talk but they can not walk the walk.
They have an intellectual faith. In his or her mind they know the doctrine of salvation. But they have never really submitted themselves to God and trusted in Jesus for salvation. They don’t believe there is a need to do God’s work. Any time the church wants to do something they are always against it. They know the right words, but they do not back up their words with works for The Glorification of Jesus.
Can this type of faith save? No! Three times in these passages James emphasizes that faith without works is dead. Is James saying that it takes both faith and works to bring about salvation no? No. God says that we can do nothing to earn our salvation. The only way is to have faith in Jesus Christ. What James is stating here is that a true saving faith is going to create a desire to do God’s work. You will be looking for where you can serve. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life is a false doctrine. It is a dead faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and it lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life. Do you have that kind of faith? You do if your walk does not measure up to your talk. You do if your works do not measure up to you words. God tells us to judge by the fruits that are produced. What type of fruit are you producing. Does your walk match your talk. I fully believe that no one can come to Christ by faith and be the same man he was before.
Emotional Faith
Another type of faith that James talks about here is emotional faith.
2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe,
and tremble.
James reminds us that even the demons have a kind of faith. They believe in
God. They even believe in the diety of Christ. Mark 3: 11,12. 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. They also believe in the existence of a place of condemnation Luke 8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And finally they believe Jesus will be the Judge Matthew 8:28-29 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
In previous verses we saw that people with dead faith are touched only in their intellect. Know we see people are also touched in their emotions even demons have this kind of faith because they believed and trembled. This type of faith is one step above dead faith it involves both intellect and emotions. But the question is can this type of faith save? No! A person can be enlightened in his or her mind and even stirred in his or her heart and still be lost. True saving faith involves something more; something that can be seen and recognized. It involves a changed life. Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for Christ. You first receive life then you reveal life.
Thus, James introduces us to two kinds of faith that can never save. Dead faith ( involving intellect alone); and emotional faith (involving intellect and emotion but stopping there.)
Dynamic Faith
Verses 2-26 describe the only kind of Faith that can save a dynamic faith.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 2:23 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. 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
You may ask the question what kind of faith is this? We know form other passages that such faith is based upon the word of God. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It involves the whole person the intellect, the emotion, and the will.
(1) The mind understands the Truth.
(2) The heart desires and rejoices in the Truth.
(3) The will acts upon the Truth.
True saving faith leads to actions.
(1) It is not intellectual contemplation.
(2) It is not emotionalism.
(3) It is that which leads to obedience in doing God’s work.
Faith alone does save us but that very same faith if it is a true saving faith is going to lead us to serve God. James is not saying that it takes both faith and works to be saved but what he is saying is that a true saving faith is going to bring about a change that is going to want to serve God. We will want to do God’s will.
It is important that each and every one of us who profess to be a Christian examines his or her own heart and life, and make sure that they possess a true saving faith, which is a dynamic faith. We must realize that Satan is the great deceiver and one of his devices is imitation. If he can convince a person, that counterfeit faith is true faith he has that person in his power.
Some questions we can ask of ourselves are:
1. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come?
2. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?
3. Do I truly understand the gospel, that Christ died for my sins and then rose again? Do I understand and confess that I can not save myself?
4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins, making the decision to turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?
5. Have I trusted Christ and Him alone for my salvation by responding to the commands He has given?
6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I seek to grow in the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him?
8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?
9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
To be sure, not every Christian has the same degree of faith. In theory those who have had more time to grow should be stronger in faith. But for the most part, the spiritual inventory above can assist a person in determining his or her true standing before God.
May our progress be similar to that of the Psalmist: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24.
Illustration
When I think about faith, the true saving faith, I am reminded of a story I once heard. There was this big church in Texas who had this great preacher. 10,000 members called this church home On one Sunday the people found the preacher standing in the pulpit with a little old man. He announced that he would not be delivering a sermon that day but his friend would give a short talk. After being introduced the man began to speak. “ Today I am going to tell you story. It is about this man, his son, and his son’s best friend. In fact these two boys were inseparable. They had gone fishing on this particular day. When they left from the harbor the weather had been great. All day the fishing had been fantastic but just as they were about to leave a storm blew in. The shipped was tossed as the waves crashed against the boat. One wave came over the bow and the son’s best friend was washed over board. Without hesitation the son dove into the water to save his friend. The father rushed to get a life line to them. Just then the storm pick up in fury. The father realized that he only had time to save one. He looked at his son and saw before the little boy who he had taught to throw a football. He saw him walking the aisle to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Then he saw his son’s friend. A boy who practically lived in their home, a second son but one who was lost. The father knew where his son would spend eternity but he also knew where the other young man would spend eternity if he died now. With an anguish look at his son the man threw the rope to his son’s friend and pulled him toward the ship. When he had gotten the young man onboard it was to late his son was gone beneath the waves. As the storm grew worse they huddled in the little cabin and the young boy through tears asked the man why he had saved him and not his son. The father replied I knew where my son will spend eternity but I also knew where you would spend eternity if you die now. Then then man shared Jesus with that young man and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior”. With that the man turned and went back to his seat. As the church was turning out two young boys approached the old man and said “ some story but it did not really happen”. The old man raised his head and said “ The story is true for you see I was that father and the young man grew up to your preacher”
This is what God did for us. He sent his only begotten son to pay our sin debt to throw us a life line so that we might live. Do you have a true saving faith? Is the Holy Spirit working striving with? If He is don’t deny Him any longer come as we sing a song of invitation. Come accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Maybe you want to rededicate your life come. The alter is open come for what ever reason you may need to.
