The Kind Of Religion We Should Lose

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.