JAMES 2
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
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?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
THE BEST EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
This is one of the greatest discourses in the whole of the NT. It looks like James is speaking against the rest of the NT, but he is confirming it.
In verse 14, James asks two questions; the answers to these questions are that if we have faith and we do not illustrate that faith, it is worthless. First, let me say that all that is needed for salvation is Faith alone by Grace alone in Christ alone, but the true evidence of that faith, will outflow in what a person does and says.
James gives a wonderful illustration in verses 15-16. He has already given a wonderful one in chapter 2:1-5. The apostle John builds on this in Chapter 3 and verses 17-18 of his first epistle, when he says:
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
What both John and James are saying is this, if you hear at church, that a brother/sister is in need and have the resources to service that need, but don’t do anything.. then your faith is worthless. What’s the point! If you don’t show it, you talk about loving your brethren, but God isn’t interested in your mere talk, He’s interested in your walk.
The Apostle Paul says many times, that our faith will work itself out in acts of love.
Look at the book of Acts. The disciples had faith, but that faith was shown, at the end of Acts chapter 4, and these disciples had true faith, but there was evidence of this faith, works is faith in action.
Jesus was the Saviour, but it says about HIM, that He went about doing good. Yes He died for us, but He spent three years doing good, healing people, teaching and feeding people.
Works in themselves are not enough for salvation. Look at the example of Cornelius; he was a good man, he did many good works, but this was not enough for salvation. Are you depending on your works for salvation?
True, good works are the evidence of being born again.. Works are not the root of Salvation, they are the fruit of Salvation.
God bless you
Keith
JAMES 2
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
TRUE OR FALSE TREMBLING
James is one of my favourite books. It is so practical and so hard hitting. It speaks on such difficult subjects such as the tongue, etc.
In the latter part of chapter 2, James shows the link between Faith and Works.
Here in China, we often say that people believe in Jesus, but this verse is a sobering one. “Belief” in Jesus is not enough, indeed the demons believe in Jesus, they believe in His existence, remember these demons are fallen angels.
Many times, in the gospels, Jesus casts out demons and says to them, that they are not to tell anyone. They knew who He was. In Acts, these demons say.. Paul, I know Jesus I know but who are you Acts 19:15.
Judas was around Jesus for three years. He saw the miracles, heard Jesus speak, but today he is in hell. Just another example of someone supposedly ‘believing in Jesus’.
The whole thrust of James’ discourse is that true faith is shown by our actions. Our lives are the best evidence of Christianity, because they are changed: 2 Corinthians 5:17. We do things differently, we treat people differently, and we are more different to any other people on the planet.
So many people play at Christianity. They think it is enough to go to church and have a basic belief about Jesus.. it is not.. Hell will be full of people who claimed to “believe in Jesus.”
Christianity is a relationship with God which flows outward to others. Have you encountered God and have you shared his love with others?
That is what a Christian is and what a Christian does.
God bless you
KK
Keith