James #5 Faith and Works, 2:14-26

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  Thus far in James we’ve seen: >Tests, Trials, & Temptations >The importance of Perseverance >Doers vs. Hearers of the Word and >The Sin of Partiality. Now we’re ready for Faith & Works.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  From these things we notice the eminent practicality of the epistle.  It has often been referred to as “The Gospel of Common Sense.”  So how strange it is that today’s text has been the center of so much controversy and debate.  But it has been and will continue to be even dismissed by some as spurious or uninspired.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  Why is that?  First, let’s look at the text itself.  Two initial questions are asked: v “What use (Grk. ophelos- profit/good ) if a man has faith but no works?” and 2. “Can that (work-less) faith save him?” These question are neither complex nor difficult…. and neither are the answers.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  A “brother or sister in need” provides the obvious answer, vv.15-16: >saying (as opposed to doing- cf.1:22ff)and yet not providing is useless. >“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” v.17  A follow-up question is posed in v.18: But what about, Faith without Works vs. Faith by Works? v Concludes that faith without works is demonic, foolish, and useless.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  “But how can these things be?” his audience may ask.  Yet another example is offered to his predominantly Jewish (cf.1:1) audience: >v.21 Father Abraham was “justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar”. >v.22 So, “faith was working” & was thus “perfected” (completed), 1Thess.1:3; 2Thess.1:11; Gal.5:6. >v.23 Useless/dead vs. Living/Useful

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  “You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.” v.24 >Despite teachings by the vast majority of churches today which teach salvation by faith only (alone)…. >Inspiration says exactly the opposite. >“Woe to those who call evil good and good, evil!” Isaiah 5:20 >BTW, this is the only place in the NT where the words “faith” & “alone” appear together!

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  Two final examples, just for good measure and to be sure the point is made: >Rahab was “justified by works” in the protection of Joshua & Caleb, v.25 (Josh.2:1-6). >The body without the spirit is dead…. “so also faith without works is dead” v.26. There is nothing difficult or complicated about these things, unless….

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26 You already believe in salvation by FAITH ONLY! THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  So from where does “Salvation by faith only” come?  Misunderstanding of passages such as Roman 4:1-6 and Ephesians 2:8-9.  What’s the deal?  These texts are speaking of two different kinds of works: >Those excluded from God’s plan to save; and >Those included in God’s plan to save.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26  Paul (in Rom.4:1ff & Eph.2:8-9) is speaking of works excluded from God’s plan to save- those in which we might seek cause to glory; meritorious works.  Whereas James (in 2:14-26) is speaking of works included in God’s plan to save- those in which glory must be given to God; obedient works.  These perfect our initial belief, 1John 2:4; 2Thess.1:7-9.

James #5, Faith & Works 2:14-26 ONLY those folks seeking to eliminate baptism for remission of sins have any difficulty seeing this or harmonizing Paul and James!  But inspiration is true, Mark 2:15-16; Acts 2:38; 1Peter 3:21.  What kind of faith do you have? -Living, useful, and working to salvation? -Or Dead, useless, and demonic leading to damnation?