This passage always seems to get people into discussion mode:
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? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 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? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone 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. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
The key to the understanding is on the equivocation with the word “faith.” In the “faith without deeds [or works] is dead” line, “faith” is inauthentic faith.
Said another way, real faith will lead to real works – i.e., good works done for God’s glory. Inauthentic faith will lead to no works or works done for self-glorification. Either way, inauthentic faith isn’t faith at all.
But if you do good works but don’t have genuine faith, then you are just as spiritually dead, because the works aren’t really “good.” They are done for your glory and not for God’s. Works without faith is just as dead.
Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
But there is good news!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Filed under: Bible, Christian living | Tagged: Bible, Evangelism, faith, faith without works, Gospel, James, Jesus, religion, social gospel, works
This always makes for hearty debate. It usually follows a “chicken or the egg” line of argument, but I don’t think it should be which is first. On the whole, one can say that faith indeed comes first, but to say one believes but no manifestation is ever apparent seems mere lip service. It’s also an area where stands against false teachings come into play as well. And it is also an area where Dan Trabue would ask one of his favorite posers, can one totally believe one is right, but be totally wrong in reality, and thus lose one’s salvation? It’s actually a reasonable question, though he uses it to justify a false teaching he can’t otherwise support.
Wow Neil, we’re thinking some of the same thoughts. I’m preaching on Noah’s faith in 11:7 of Hebrews… his faith led him to build the ark.
Blessings
Reminds me of a time long ago when my wife and I were in considerable financial straits. We went to our church, which was one of those huge mega-churches and grudgingly asked for assistance. We were told they would pray for us, but no one offered to help with anything tangible.
Perhaps the prayers helped, as we obviously survived, but I couldn’t help lamenting the fact that prayer is answered by God’s people hearing His call and acting upon it, but if God’s people pray, but don’t help any other way, how is God to answer such prayer?
Neil, faith without works is probably one of the most misunderstood scriptures when it comes to the “once saved always saved” saying. I do believe that once saved always saved, but evidence of that salvation is your works!
To become saved based on His grace alone doesn’t mean “I’m saved so now I can do whatever I want and God will still accept me into his kingdom!” But just the beginning of a journey becoming more and more like Christ!
Yep, great topic for discussion!
And Mark, is this a Megachurch that denies monetary help while asking you to tithe 10% of your earnings? It sure does sound like a church of faith with no works!
As ususal, very good point Neil.
This goes to people saying they are “good” because of what they do, when in essence, the WHY you do it is essential. We do “good” deeds because of the “good” that is in us from Christ Jesus, which we have by our faith.
When I was a new Christian in college, I was confused by the whole idea that we are saved totally apart from works, yet faith without works is dead. My Bible study leader explained it this way: James is talking to believers, who may be tempted toward complacency (among other things) in their walk. (Aren’t we all)? It’s an exhortation to put some feet on that faith – faith is dynamic and active; not passive and static. As stated above, if the faith is a genuine, sold-out to Jesus saving faith, it will work itself out in love.
As much as I hate the “social gospel”, social justice is a big part of God’s heart. Mark’s experience above is just plain sad. That should never, ever happen — not in any church.
Truly a sad day:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23463777.htm
WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Friday lifted restrictions on U.S. government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad, reversing a policy of his Republican predecessor George W. Bush, a spokesman said.
Yes, as I saw someone note on another blog, terrorists now have more rights than the unborn, in the U.S. or abroad.
Neil,
Very clear explanation of a “hot button” topic. too many people think they can do enough “good things” to merit God’s grace. When in fact God gives us grace so we can do truly good things.
To me, the key to that whole passage has always been verse 19–”You believe God is One! You do well! Even the demons believe and tremble!” So many people today are like I was before I got saved: They believe in the existence of God. They believe in the fact that Jesus was His Son. They believe the crucifixion was an actual event. They believe in fact that He rose from the grave and will return one day.
See the pattern? They believe in a set of facts. Their faith is in believing these facts. And therein lies the problem–even the demons believe the facts. The demons have a form of faith. But what good does it do them?
I believe what James (or, as Sinclair Ferguson says, “Jay-uhms”) is saying is that you can believe all you want–but what does your life look like? Do we live a life that puts God–and His commandments–first? John wrote in his first epistle, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him” (1st John 2:3-5).
Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Yes, Carlotta, that particular Mega-Church was located in the most affluent suburb in the area, and boasted, among it’s members, Professional baseball and Football players, Owners of huge new car dealerships, CEO’s and upper echelon Officers of several different major Corporations, etc. In short, They had, collectively, more than enough resources to practice what they preach, but apparently, didn’t have the motivation. Yes, it is sad.
At Christmas time, the church reached out in a Christmas spirit of Christian altruism, and delivered gifts to the Public housing projects nearby, in which, due to unfortunate financial circumstances at the time, I was a resident. The gifts consisted of cheap little toys and candies from Wal*mart for the kiddies, and a 10 dollar Wal*mart set of dishes for each family.
I’m sure the members of the church that participated felt good about themselves that Christmas.
Both faith and works are necessary for salvation. Faith without works is dead, but works without faith is dead as well. The heresy that faith alone will save you is called Protestantism (no offense intended, but as it denies a major dogma of the Catholic Church, it is defined as a heresy) and the heresy that says works alone is Pellagianism. Faith is necessary, but it alone is not sufficient. You need both faith and works.
The Reformation happened for a reason. Catholics teach a false doctrine that God’s grace enables you to do good works such that you can then be saved. That is not biblical.
If you have real faith, you’ll have works, but the works can’t save you.
Perhaps you could explain just how many good works it takes to save you? And if you have real faith but not enough works are you not saved? Can you see how you become the key variable and not Jesus?
One of the thieves crucified on either side of Jesus asked Jesus to forgive him, whereupon Jesus replied, “Truly, today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
What works did that thief do to get into Heaven?
Mark—
The works that result from faith are fruits of a transformed nature. Had the criminal been pardoned and lived, be confident that if Christ was willing to accept him into paradise, you would have seen plenty of fruit (works) from his faith in Christ.