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STUDIES IN JAMES

By Eugene Garner

THE INSEPARABILITY OF FAITH AND WORKS

Scripture Lesson: James 2:14-26.

        INTRODUCTION: Through the centuries there has been considerable controversy and foolish theorizing with regard to the true relationship between Paul and James as regards "faith" and "works". Careful consideration of the Scriptures will show that there was NO controversy between these two spiritual giants on this subject. One who reads his Bible with the slightest spiritual discernment will be able to see the perfect harmony of the two - though their basic emphasis is on opposite ends of the pole. This was due to the particular needs of the people to whom they addressed themselves.
  1. Paul emphasizes a faith that is genuine, and set it in contrast to mere "works of the flesh," or "of the law"; God has no "merit system" whereby men may earn credits! (Romans 3:28; 4:6).

  2. James writes of a faith that is defective - showing that where there is no evidence of spiritual fruit one's profession of faith is phony, sham, make-believe, unreal, and a FARCE! In his way of thinking there must be an agreement between what one professes, and what he IS, (James 2:24). James spoke of three kinds of faith: a dead (inactive) faith; a demonic faith; and a dynamic faith; only the latter is a true, saving faith.     It was because of his misunderstanding of James that Luther rejected the epistle as genuine. Luther sentimentalized the doctrine of "justification", and the epistle of James contradicted what he believed. Rather than bringing his belief into harmony with James, he rejected James, in favor of his misinterpretation of Paul!

  3. We need to understand that FAITH is a basic principle in the Christian life.
    1. By faith one is saved, (Eph. 2:8-10).
    2. The true believer walks by faith, (II Cor. 5:7).
    3. Without faith, no one can please God, (Heb. 11:6).
    4. Whatever is done apart from faith is sin, (Rom. 14:23).
I. JAMES REJECTS, AS INADEQUATE A PROFESSION OF FAITH THAT IS "IN WORD ONLY", (vs. 14-17). "What doth it profit?" (comp. 1:22) Can such a faith really save?
  1. THE PRACTICAL WRITER OF THIS LETTER SEES NO REAL VALUE IN MERE WORDS.

    1. It is a sad fact that a professed "faith without deeds" is often most eloquent in its speech.

    2. Those who least concern themselves with living their creeds often shout the loudest on defense of what theybelieve!

    3. The paralysis that so often affects the hands and feet of the one professing faith seldom hinders his tongue; and James has a great deal to say about this.

  2. HE SHOWS HOW IMPRACTICAL THE FAITH-TALK-PRINCIPLE IS WHEN APPLIED TO EVERYDAY HUMAN NEED, (Matt. 25:35).

    1. Talk, however eloquent or apparently sincere, does not satisfy the pangs of the hungry; it does not clothe the naked!

      2.         W. H. Drummond stated it quite well in his poem:
      FAITH AND WORKS
      One cup of healing oil and wine,
      One offering laid on mercy's shrine,
      Is thrice more grateful, Lord, to Thee,
      Than lifted eye on bended knee.

      In true and inward faith we trace
      The source of every outward grace;
      Within the pious heart it plays
      A living found of joy and praise.

      Kind deeds of peace and love betray
      Where'er the stream has found its way;
      But, where these spring not rich and fair,
      The stream has never wandered there.
    2. Unless we become more deeply involved than is possible through mere lip and emotion, no one will ever be blessed by our lives, (I John 3:16-19). It is not enough to praise virtue; we must also practice it!

    3. Intellectual belief that involves a mere, barren orthodoxy is a waste and a mockery, (Luke 3:7-14).

    4. Someone has said: "It is remarkable with what Christian fortitude and resignation we can bear the suffering of other folks!"

  3. FAITH, DEVOID OF ACTION IS WORTHLESS - being alone; it is a dead faith!

    1. It may be likened to a tree that bears no fruit, (comp. Luke 13:6-9).

    2. It is like money that yields no interest, (comp. Luke 19:23-26).

    3. There is nothing wrong with "sympathy"; the capacity to sympathize is meant to influence and produce ACTION! (Consider the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:33-36).

    4. What one feels and believes is useless unless it shapes his conduct!

    5. "Faith without works is DEAD: it cannot stand alone, (see Rom. 2:17-29).

    6. Profession of faith is good; but it should be accompanied by evidence that it is the true profession.
II. A CHALLENGE IS ISSUED TO HIM WHO WOULD DIVORCE FAITH FROM WORKS, (vs. 18-20).
  1. "SHOW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT THY WORKS!" But, how may one do this? It is an utter impossibility! (Heb. 11:33). How, then, does faith manifest itself?

  2. "I WILL SHOW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS" - A SAFE, SANE, AND SENSIBLE APPROACH TO LIFE, (Matt. 7:1-20; 12:33; Luke 6:44; James 3:12-13).

  3. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE STRAIGHT IN WHAT ONE BELIEVES; this should never be minimized, (vs. 18).

    1. But, the mere belief of tremendous facts is wholly inadequate! (Deut. 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-31).

    2. Even the "demons" had progressed beyond this point; they "believe and tremble" [literally bristle]; their faith was both intellectual and emotional, (Mark 1:23-24; 5:7; comp Matt. 8:29; Luke 4:41). To "believe and tremble" does not necessarily manifest a true saving faith. A person may be enlightened in his mind, and stirred in his heart, and still be lost FOREVER! True, saving faith must also involve such an exercise of the will as brings about a changed life - something that will be obvious to others.

  4. VAIN MAN MUST LEARN ONCE-FOR-ALL THAT FACTUAL BELIEFS, HOWEVER TENACIOUSLY HELD, ARE UNPROFITABLE UNLESS THEY ACTIVATE ONE'S LIFE INTO A POSITIVE DEMONSTRATION OF RIGHT CONDUCT! (Matt. 5:22; Romans 9:20; I Cor. 15:36).
III. FINALLY, JAMES SHOWS HOW A TRUE FAITH IS PERFECTED (completed) BY LOVING WORKS; and, inevitably leads to justification, (vs. 21-26) This is a dynamic faith!
  1. THROUGHOUT THE SCRPITURES, ABRAHAM IS THE OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF BOTH FAITH AND JUSTIFICATION.

    1. James insists that he was "justified (declared righteous) by works" when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar, (Gen. 22:9-12, 15-18). According to James, this passage must interpret Genesis 15:6.

    2. Faith and works are not enemies; here they cooperate - the one leading to the completion of perfection of the other.

    3. Then, according to James' proof text, he insists that "works" are a necessary factor in true faith!
      1. Where works are absent, faith is defective!
      2. It is important to understand how Abraham's faith was manifested, (Heb. 11:17; comp. John 6:29).
      3. On the basis of a faith that WORKS, Abraham is reckoned righteous, (Gen. 15:6; Neh. 9:7-8; Ps. 106:28-31).
      4. Faith which works by love, is the principle in which his being called "a friend of God" is firmly rooted, (Rom. 4:3, 9, 22; Gal. 3:5-9; comp. Is. 41:8; II Chron. 20:7).

    4. So, James concludes: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by FAITH ONLY".

  2. AGAIN, HE ILLISTRATES THE SAME PRINCIPLE BY RAHAB, (vs. 25; comp. Heb. 11:30-31; Josh. 2:8-14; 6:22-23).

    1. In her mind she was conscious of the truth.
    2. Her heart was stirred by the truth.
    3. Her will acted upon the basis of that truth.
    4. Thus, she proved her faith by her works, deeds or actions.
    5. It is interesting to note that she became "a princess in Israel" - marrying Salmon and becoming an ancestress of our Lord Jesus Christ, (I Chron. 2:11-12; Ruth 4:13-22; Matt. 1:5).

  3. TO SHOW THE FOLLY OF TRYING TO SEPARATE FAITH AND WORKS, JAMES MAKES ONE FINAL ARGUMENT: "For as the body without the spirit (breath) is dead, so faith without works is dead also", (vs. 26; comp. I Cor. 13:2). The words may differ but the principle involved in the two verses is the same.
        CONCLUSION: Though works do not save, being rooted in faith and love, they are profitable! (Gal. 5:6, 14, 16; Titus 2:6-8; 3:8; I Thes. 1:3). And there is coming a day when every life will be judged according to its works, (Romans 2:4-11; Rev. 20:12; Rev. 22:12; II Tim. 4:7-8).