May 14, 2025

“ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD”

“FAITH AT WORK”

JAMES 2:14-26

Someone has said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequences. Faith is not some kind feeling we work up; faith is confidence that God’s Word is true, and conviction that acting upon God’s Word will bring blessing.

How can a person tell whether or not they are exercising true saving faith? James answers these questions by explaining three kinds of faith, only one of which is saving faith:

So does your life really show that your saved and you know it?

1.  Dead Faith- James 2:14-17

James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

“Can faith save him?” vs.14

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

*Genuine Faith Is Not Indifferent, But Involved:

James 2:15-16 “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

These needy folks are genuine “brothers and sisters” who have genuine needs; food and clothing vs.15. 

1 Timothy 6:8 “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”

“Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” vs.16.

As believers, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people, no matter who they may be:

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

1 John 3:17 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Genuine faith is not indifferent, but involved.

*Genuine Faith Is Not Independent, But In Partnership:

James 2:17 “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

So “faith” that has no works is phony or dead faith.

2.   Genuine Faith Is On Display, Not In The Dark- James 2:18-19

James 2:18-19 “But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

If you can’t actually see it, how can anyone know it actually exists?

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

vs.19 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”

3.   Dynamic Faith- James 2:20-26

James 2:20 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

Dynamic faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, faith that results in a changed life.

Dynamic faith is based on the Word of God, and it involves the whole person. The mind understands the truth, the heart desires the truth, and the will acts on the truth.

James now illustrates his doctrine in the lives of two well known people: Abraham a Jew, and Rahab a Gentile. 

But they both had one thing in common: Both exercised saving faith in God, by their works!

James 2:21-26 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Hebrews 11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”

Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Faith and works, so is James contradicting Paul?

The answer involves two different nuances of the word “to justify.” vs.21,24, 25. The Greek word is “dikaioo” depending of the context, the word can mean either “to declare righteous” as in a legal preceding, or “to demonstrate as righteous.” Paul and James use “justify” in two different ways, but these two uses are actually two sides of the same coin.

Paul And James: Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Paul                                                James

“For we maintain that a man         “You see that man is justified 

Is justified by faith apart from.        By works and not by faith 

Works of the law.” (Rom. 3:28).      alone.” (James 2:24)

Uses “justified” to mean                 Uses “justified” to mean

pronounced righteous in                proved righteous in the sight

The sight of God.                            Of others.

Shows how an unbeliever              Shows how a believer lives as

becomes a Christian.                     a Christian.

Emphasizes the root of                  Emphasizes the fruit of 

salvation                                         salvation.

Stresses inward disposition.          Stresses outward action.

Demonstrates God’s part with       Demonstrates human part with

human participation.                      God’s help.

James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

James 2:25 “Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”

James now concludes this chapter:

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”