Title: Chapter 03D
Course: Course 4, GBNT 506 The Book of James > Section: Unit 5

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D.        Lesson Four, James 2:14-26

Faith is a vital doctrine.  We are saved by faith, and Believers continue their life in Christ by faith.  Scripture is plain that we cannot “...please Him...” without faith (He.11:6). Contrary to popular opinion, the Biblical precedent for Salvation has always been by faith. Abraham, the great Patriarch, was made righteous by faith. Since his time, God considered all men who came to God in faith righteous. Faith is not static belief that God exists. To use the words of the Amplified Bible, we must trust in, cling to, and rely upon God.  Faith that does not produce effect is dead. The type of faith that James mentioned is not really faith because it is inactive and dead. This type of faith cannot save anyone. However, faith that is alive and productive can produce Salvation.  Notice that there can be a profession of faith without fruit.

While some believe that James is in contradiction to the writing of Paul, there is no contradiction here. The Book of Habakkuk settles the problem of the whole of the Law in the mind of the Jew. “The just shall live by faith” (Hab.2:4). James, the Jew, would never contradict the Word of God.  In a matter of speaking faith is a verb. That is, faith is an action word.

1.         James warns against a faith that has no deeds (2:14).

Verses fourteen (14) through twenty-six (26) treats the ever-present problem of those in the Church, who profess to have saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet at the same time show no evidence of sincere devotion to Him and His Word.

2.         Faith without works is dead according to James (vs.14-16).

James is telling us that real faith does something.   Real faith is not just believing in spite of evidence, but also obeying in spite of consequence.  The men and women in Hebrews chapter eleven (11) lived by faith, regardless of the price.  Many of them died, having not received the promise. This was not God’s fault; it simply was not in His timing. Though they did not receive the full promise in their lifetime, they received a better thing because of being now, in the Presence of God.

a.         A saving faith is always a living faith.

A saving faith is a faith that does not stop with mere confession of Christ as Savior, but also prompts obedience to Him as Lord.  Thus, obedience is an essential aspect of faith.  Only those who obey can believe, and only those who believe can obey.

b.         There is no contradiction between Paul and James with regard to the matter of saving faith.

Normally Paul emphasizes faith as the means by which we accept Christ as Savior (Ro.3:22). James calls attention to the fact that true faith must be an active and enduring faith that shapes our very existence.  It is a faith that produces works. James is talking about the fruit of faith, while Paul talks about the root of faith.

3.         Here are some examples of faith in difficult times (He.11:13-37).

a.         Abel died a victim of his brother’s hatred.

Abel sacrificed a blood offering, as Adam undoubtedly instructed him.  A multitude of others, many of them nameless, died in faith, not having obtained the promises.  It is to their credit, their faith, that they embraced the promise. God’s promise was to them as good as done. If they had allowed their minds to reflect on the past, they would have been tempted to have returned and settled for less (v.15).

b.         Abraham’s faith was tested in the call to offer up Isaac (vs.17-19).

Abraham, though tested concerning giving up the best thing he had, was simply fully persuaded that what God said He would do, He would do.  That meant that no matter what it looked like; God would fulfill His promise to Abraham of a seed that would multiply as the stars of heaven.

4.         Any faith not accompanied by action is dead (2:17).

a.         True saving faith is vital.

True saving faith is strong, so that it cannot help but express itself in Godly actions and devotion to Jesus Christ.  Deeds without faith are dead deeds.  Faith without deeds is dead faith.  True faith always manifests itself in obedience to God and compassionate deeds done for needy people.

b.         James writes against a mere profession.

James is directing his teaching against those in the Church who professed faith in Christ and His blood atonement, and believed that such profession was all that was necessary for Salvation.  They believed that an obedient and personal relationship with Christ, as Lord, was not essential.  James says that such faith is dead and will produce neither Salvation nor anything good (2:14-16, 20-24).  The only kind of faith that saves is faith expressing itself through love (Ga.5:6).

c.         Faith is not by our own effort.

On the other hand, we must not think that we maintain a living faith solely by our own effort.  The grace of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the intercession of Christ (He.7:25) works in our lives to enable us to respond to God by faith (Ro.1:17).  If we ever stop being receptive to God’s grace and the leading of the Spirit, then our faith will die.

It was because of knowing the promises of God that Abraham was ready to offer Isaac.  Abraham’s faith caused him to lift the knife to kill Isaac.  Only by God’s intervention was Abraham’s hand stayed so that he did not offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  This is a choice illustration of the fact that we demonstrate our faith by our actions. The action of this man was that he believed God.

Abraham knew that Isaac was the promised seed and that God would have to resurrect Isaac to be true to His Word (Ge.17:19).  It was as if Abraham A...received Isaac back in a figure... (He 11:19).  As far as Abraham was concerned Isaac was dead. When God provided the ram, it was the same as a resurrection to Abraham.  When God spoke to Abraham it was as good as done.

The word “figure” from the Greek is “parable,” which means “a similitude,” as in a parable, “comparison, figure, and parable.”

Abraham spoke on the basis of God’s promise of a “Promised Seed.”  He did not waver in any way, when he said to the young men, “...abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you” (Ge.22:5).

The writer of Hebrews testified to the promise God made Abraham, that in “..Isaac shall thy seed be called.”  This was an accounting that God was able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead, in which Abraham received him in a figure (He.11:18-19).

The only way Abraham could reconcile God’s promise, with His Command, was to suppose Isaac would be raised from the dead to beget children (He.11:19).  Abraham had already learned that nothing is too difficult for the Lord, and that the Lord always does right.  God tested Abraham in the command to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  God, in His omniscience, had always known the heart of Abraham.  So, He gave Abraham an opportunity to demonstrate his faith.  Abraham’s faith exercised and developed while learning that God would provide.

James’ testimony of Abraham was that “...our father” was “...justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar.” James goes on with his argument about faith being demonstrated by a person’s works, saying, “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Further, James gives us the knowledge that Abraham “...believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God” (Ja.2:21-23).

5.         Paul insists that justification before God is never by the deeds of the Law, but by faith in Christ.

James deals with the second error, and makes it plain that the faith that saves is a faith that works.  No one is justified before God without also being justified practically before men. What good is it if we claim to have faith, but our behavior says that is a false profession? How could this be the kind of faith that saves?

James supports his argument with a case where one (1) of Christ’s own is lacking in clothing and food. In this distress, some speak comforting, yet useless words, saying, “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled.”  Instead of doing something about that person’s plight, he has simply given lip service to it.  Nothing has been done to alleviate his needy condition. What profit is there in mere words, when they are un-accompanied by deeds of mercy? Regardless of their position of being in or out of the fold, we should do more that just pray for them. This would be seen as cold and heartless. The Hebraic mind set believed that works of charity were the closest routes to God heart.

Note also the saying, “Depart in peace.” This means that they should depart in wholeness lacking nothing, wishing them prosperity and well being.  If we are to possess miracle-working faith, we must be willing to invest in lives that need.

In the same way, James shows that faith that is divorced from works is dead, being alone.  There is no work of grace in the heart where there are no acts of grace in the life.  No man is justified by faith unless faith has made him just. Faith supposes a living vital union between the soul and God.

James pictures two (2) men having a conversation.  One says to the other, “You have faith, and I have works.  Show me your faith without your works.”  Obviously this cannot be done.  Then the first man goes on to say, “I will show you my faith by my works.”  This is the only way we can prove to anyone that our faith is genuine. Real faith can be evidenced by activity. Faith cannot be seen, yet the results of faith are apparent. The writer of Hebrews tells us that there are those that have unknowingly entertained angels (He.13:2).  How often might this have been the case mentioned here by James? Real faith is capable of producing anything, but it must come from a person alive in God. Those who have not experienced a genuine conversion will have no desire to do Godly things. Jesus’ disciples had a genuine desire to demonstrate the miracle working power of God. This was because of their genuine conversion (Jn.8:28).

If Judaism ever had a creed, it would be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Mark 12:29. However, simple creeds are not enough to save.

To believe the facts of revelation is not enough, there must be personal commitment of the soul to Christ. Mere monotheism, the belief in one God, is not saving faith. The demons believe that God is one (1), and shudder as they contemplate the day when they must face Him in the Final Judgment of the wicked dead and fallen angels. Such belief has absolutely no saving value.

6.         Faith is to have action (v.20-22).

Abraham was a man of active faith. The Greek New Testament says that he had “miracle working faith” (Ro.4:20). It was miraculous faith that produced Isaac.  It was with the same faith that Abraham was willing to offer Isaac up as a sacrifice, believing God would raise him from the dead. His faith produced a ram that was used in Isaac’s stead.

Abraham was considered righteous for what he did (2:21).  Abraham’s righteousness came not from observing the Law (Ro.3:28), but through faith and actions working together in love.  His willingness to sacrifice Isaac was an expression of his faith in, and commitment to God (Ge.15:6; 22:1).  James uses the example of Abraham to demolish the belief that faith can exist without commitment to and love for God.  The Apostle Paul uses the example of Abraham's faith to destroy the view that salvation rests on the merit of one's own deeds, rather than on God's grace (Ro.4:3; Ga.3:6).

Here are some basic types of faith, as found in Scripture:

a.         Dead Faith

b.         Mental assent

c.         Saving Faith

d.         Weak Faith

e.         Strong (Miracle Working) Faith

7.         Faith and Abraham’s actions were working together (2:22).

James is not saying that faith and actions save us.  This separates faith from deeds.  James contends instead for faith at work.  Thus, faith and deeds can never be separated, the latter flows naturally from the former (Ga.5:6).

a.         Isaac blessed both Jacob and Esau.

b.         Jacob, at an old age, blessed both sons of Joseph and worshiped God.

c.         Joseph, in his last days, knew that Israel was coming out of Egypt.

d.         Moses parents, Amram and Jochebed, knew that this seed God had given them was important to the plan of God.

God must have spoken to them, which words they had to receive by faith.  They hid Moses three (3) months, unafraid of the King’s commandment.  They placed him in a basket in the riverweeds, where Pharaoh’s daughter found him.  God made the devil pay for Moses up bringing.

Moses’ sister was instructed to find a nursemaid, which she promptly did by alerting her mother, Jochebed, who was chosen to nurse him.  Pharaoh’s daughter did not know that she was Moses’ mother.  So, while the devil had to pay for his up bringing, Jochebed taught Moses the things of God, nursing him in the Jewish faith.

e.         Moses faith sacrificed what he could have had.

He refused to be called Pharaoh’s grandson.  He traded the palace for God’s plan, choosing to endure affliction with God’s people instead of the pleasures of this world’s system.  He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater than the prosperity and comforts of Egypt.  It is evident that he had a revelation of Christ, the Messiah-Deliverer, as did Abraham.

Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing Pharaoh. He did not fear the visible King because he had faith in the invisible One.

f.          Joshua’s faith in what God said brought great victories.

The two (2) mighty walls of Jericho fell down flat.  Jericho was extremely well fortified.  These walls were humanly impossible to conquer, but Joshua and the people of Israel saw the walls leveled, by faith, as they merely marched around.

g.         Rahab’s faith brought the Salvation of her family.

Rahab is a type of the Gentiles, joining herself to the Believing Community and becoming a type of the Bride of Christ. What a great testimony for Rahab to be placed in the same category with the friend of God. Though she was a pagan and a harlot, she and her family were delivered from judgment.  She received the spies with peace and assisted them, because she had heard of and believed in the God of Israel.  They were saved by Divine grace, because of her faith and obedience.

She even became a part of the nation of Israel, for she married Salmon, a Jew.  Together, they were the parents of Boaz, who was an ancestor of King David.  She is recorded in the lineage of Christ (Mt.1:4-6).  This is the result of her living faith in God.

8.         Let us examine some more results of faith (Heb.11.33-34, 39).

Faith, according to Hebrews, “...subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the fire, escaped swords, were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, put armies to flight...” etc.

Many were delivered from circumstances by faith (vs.33-34), while others were given grace to overcome circumstances by faith (vs.35-37); “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith...” (v.39). Faith always produces a good report.  The world was not worthy of these men and women of faith (v.38).

9.         Faith is conviction, believing in what you are doing (vs.17-20).

Living faith does something.  Dead faith is worthless, in fact is not faith at all.  If we are only saying, “Lord, bless me,” it will not profit us without actions placed to it.  We must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

10.       Abraham demonstrated faith long ago.

Some forty (40) years had elapsed between the Patriarch’s justification, by faith before God, and his justification by works before men. We may see in this, how true it is that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. In other words, as Paul also tells us, faith works by love; otherwise it is not real faith at all.

In Hebrews we are told, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she received the spies with peace” (He.11:31).  James says of this, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and sent them out another way?”  Her faith, in the God of Israel, caused her to do all she could for the protection of His servants. Her faith also secured for her the place of a wife and mother in Israel.  This brought her into the blood line of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mt.1:5).  It was faith alone that gave value to the works of Abraham and Rahab.  Abraham was about to sacrifice his own son, while Rahab was betraying her own country! Without confidence in the Living God, both acts would have brought severe condemnation to them.

The conclusion is clear, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (v.26).  Death is the separation of the spirit, the real man, from the body, the temporary Tabernacle.  The lifeless clay of a dead body is no deader than a faith that is not manifested by works of righteousness and deeds of piety.

This second chapter of James is vital to us. We need such clear, practical instruction to save us from false doctrine and false confidence.

11.       Abraham was justified by what he did (2:25).

The Greek word “ergon,” here translated “what he does,” is used by James with a different meaning than the same word used by Paul (Ep.2:9), there translated as “works.” Paul’s use of “works” is not to get the cart before the horse so to speak. James’ use of works is the result of the horse pulling the cart. Saving faith comes first, and then it begins to be productive. If that what we call faith is not productive, it is not really faith. “Ergon" is one of the seven (7) New Testament words for the power of God. A Believer must be born again before he can operate in it.  All works before Salvation are as dead as faith that does not produce them after conversion.

a.         James refers to obligations to God.

In James, “what he does” refers to the obligations to God and fellow humans that are commanded in Scripture and that proceed from a sincere faith, a pure heart, the grace of God, and the desire to please Christ.

b.         Paul refers to the desire to gain favor.

For Paul, “works” refer to a desire to gain favor and Salvation through obeying the Law by one’s own effort, rather than through repentance and faith in Christ.

c.         Paul and James do not disagree.

Note that both Paul and James state emphatically that true saving faith will inevitably produce deeds or love (1:27; 2:8; Ga.5:6; Jn.14:15).

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