Living Faith, part 2

Faith without works is dead…James 2:20

James is addressing those in churches who claim they are believers and want to be accepted as followers of Christ by those who really do believe. Faith without action is dead faith. Every person must act upon their faith. That is, say to God I believe. And their actions show they believe. James gives one practical example, James 2:14-17; one spiritual example, Verses 19-20; two biblical examples, Verses 21-25, and one physical example, Verse 26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James’ practical example is practicing what we preach. We say we love God but we refuse to help those in need. To refuse to help is contrary to what we believe. It goes against the Christ we say we believe in. Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead, Verse 17. The spiritual examples are demons, Verse 19: You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! Demons recognized Jesus but they refused to worship Him. Knowledge without action is worthless information. 

James’ examples from Abraham and Rahab are easy to follow. Verse 21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Abraham believed in God. He believed Isaac was God’s promise. Believing this only became an issue when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? Verse 22. Faith without works is dead faith. Verse 24: You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 

The point is clear. We are not saved by faith plus works. We are saved by faith. Like Jesus, James is declaring our faith must produce a response. Nicodemus was expected to know about the new birth. The Apostles were expected to accept Jesus was alive after three days. Paul expected people to respond to the gospel. True faith produces an action. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? Verse 25. James and Paul are in perfect agreement. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith without a response, a confession from the heart, is dead faith. A body without the Holy Spirit is a spiritually dead body. You are not dead. Let your faith live! In Part 3 we will examine what the Bible says about a believer who really believes