Visible Faith

As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to…

persevere amidst trials,

pursue wisdom in the face of difficult challenges,

ponder what other people say as we listen carefully

put off partiality and favoritism as we interact with others

Today, as we look at James 2:14-26, we come to a passage that is again convicting and challenging. In this passage, James’ message is rather straightforward and clear - after all he communicates some form of the same message four times in these verses:

“faith apart from works is dead”

With each of four times that James makes some form of this statement Moyer notes that he does so in some interesting ways.

two of the statements are negative

two of the statements are positive

two of the statements reference horizontal or interpersonal interactions

two of the statements reference our relationship with God - how we interact with or respond to Him

As we consider this passage, I want to encourage you have a few questions in mind:

What does James mean by “faith”?

What does James mean by “works”?

What does James mean by “justified”?

So, right on the heals of urging us not to show favoritism and to act with mercy (James 2:1-13), James argues that…

Faith is dead without works of mercy (14-17)

James 2:14–17 (ESV) "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

If you’ve been a believer for any length of time, James’ opening questions here should raise some flags of concern.

What is the basis of our salvation? Is it faith or works? Is James saying that our faith is contingent on our ability to do works of mercy? Does James contradict what the apostle Paul has said in other books of the New Testament? For example:

Romans 3:28 ESV "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

While the book of James comes later in our Bibles, it’s important to remember that James was probably one of the first letters written. So James’ comments here actually preceded Paul’s comments to the Romans and to other churches when he makes similar remarks. Maybe we should be asking the question, does Paul contradict James?

Either way you look at it, I think the answer is “no.”

The fact that James uses the word “faith” or “pistis” in Greek suggests that he understands that faith is an important part of our salvation or as he has said elsewhere our true “religion.” James’ argument though is that this faith is a visible faith - it’s a compassionate faith - it’s a faith that touches people. As Douglas Moo has said:

"'true religion' begins with faith—but a faith that works."

For the Apostle Paul, he seems to be addressing other concerns where people were trying to earn their salvation with works of the law. James was addressing what some would call “antinomianism,” a heresy that believes that because our salvation is based on faith alone, apart from works of the law, that we are not obligated to live any differently. Antinomianism suggests that since salvation is a spiritual matter, it has no bearing on our physical or moral lives.

I think both James and Paul would agree that works demonstrate our faith.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Notice, Paul even says that we do demonstrate our salvation with our works.

Maybe you’ve been in a place like James is describing here. You’re come to an intersection and see a person on the side of the road asking for help - for food, for money, for work. What do you do? Maybe you have cash or extra food, maybe you don’t. Do you comment? Do you even offer to pray for that person? Do you pray with him or her? Do you give anything if you can?

Or imagine going to Basset’s after church today and enjoying a good meal. Then, when you get the check, you pay your bill exactly - leaving no tip, and then comment to the waiter or waitress - “Here is a tract that will show you how to have eternal life. This is way more valuable than any monetary tip I could give you.” Is that a working faith?