August 12, 2018
Morning Service

James gave us some very practical and very helpful advice last week when he instructed us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath.”  He then encouraged us to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only.”  He will return to that subject this morning.  In the first part of chapter 2, James revealed to us that treating others with partiality is sin.  We are never to judge anyone upon appearance or esteem one person above another.  James now begins an explanation of what true faith looks like for a Jesus follower.  Let’s remember He is writing to the first generation of believers who are trying to figure out what this new life of following Christ is all about and looks like.  So before we begin let’s do a quick review on what we know about faith.

Faith defined: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NLT Faith is the confident assurance that we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

·        The foundation of our faith believes in God’s character; He is who He says.  The walls of our faith believe in God’s promises; He will do what He says.  Our faith becomes real when we act upon it simply because we trust in God’s faithfulness even when it doesn’t make sense. It is the single most vital part of a true relationship with Jesus.

 

Importance of faith:  Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

·        We must believe that He exists and that He will reward us if we seek Him diligently.  Without faith or it is impossible to please Him.  Our faith is the base upon what our relationship with Jesus is built on.  It is also our faith that justifies us in God’s eyes.

 

Justified by faith:  Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law.

·        Justification does not come from doing the works according to the Law, but from our faith alone.  A Jewish believer would struggle with this because they had always been taught it was the act of following the Law (outward actions) that made them pleasing to God; in a way they had to earn their salvation.  Paul now was telling them that it was their heart that God was after and all they had to do was truly believe (have faith).  James now seems to challenge that faith alone can save, but adds that we also need works as well.  The difference being is that our works are not to earn our salvation, it is a free gift, but our works come as a result of our salvation. 

·        Remember in chapter 1 James told us this:

 

James 1:17-18  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.  (18)  Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain first fruit of His creatures.

 

 

 

·        He followed the fact of God giving us such a perfect gift, eternal life, with the word “therefore.”  Because God has given us the free gift of eternal life our reaction should be obedience in love; our actions will follow our heart.  Our faith has saved us and now our heart will lead us to obediently follow not out of a sense of duty to earn our salvation but in love out of gratitude for our salvation.  Jesus said this to His disciples:

 

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

·        Our love will drive us to action and obedience.  We will obey because we want to not because we have to.  So as we look at James’ discussion on faith and works, keep in mind we are saved by faith and our faith will naturally produce good works.

 

James 2:14-17 My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him?  (15)  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, (16) and if one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them those things which are needful to the body, what good is it?  (17)  Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself.

·         When we come to faith Paul instructs us to do two things:

Romans 10:9-10  Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  (10)  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.

·        Anyone can say with their mouth that they believe, but the key is do they believe in their heart?  Have they received the gospel message in their hearts?  At our time of conversion we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).  It is the Holy Spirit then that leads a true follower into a life of obedience which begins with entering into the waters of baptism and continues with guiding us into a life that is changed.  True faith transforms our lives completely.  We change the way we talk, act and think.  We will have compassion for those in need and will naturally be driven to fulfill their needs.  That is what brings James to make the statement that faith without works is dead; faith will create good works.

 

 James 2:17-18 Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself.  (18)  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 from my works.

·        True faith always results in a changed life and the good deeds will naturally follow. The works come not to earn salvation, but as a result of our salvation.  To simply believe in your mind or intellect is not enough, we must believe with our heart as well.

 

James 2:19-20 You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble.  (20)  But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

·        That certainly proves his point quite well.  The demons believe but have not surrendered themselves to follow as we have.  James now offers us the opposite end of the spectrum with examples of those who have displayed their faith by their works.

 

James 2:21-24  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  (22)  Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete?  (23)  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God."  (24)  You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

·        This is the same example Paul uses in the Roman letter to prove that faith alone justifies us.  James simply states the view that Abraham’s faith produced his works which then were “imputed to him for righteousness.”  It was the acting upon his faith that displayed that it was indeed real.  He had every intention of killing his son, knowing God could raise him from the dead if needed.  Even when it did not make sense Abraham obeyed trusting the character of God.

 

James 2:25-26 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way?  (26)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

·        Rahab also placed her faith into action by hiding the spies in the city of Jericho risking her life because she truly believed in God.  She was greatly rewarded and is remembered for her faith in Hebrews 11 (faith hall of fame).

·        James then compares faith without works to our body without the spirit; without life dead.

·        Looking at your own life this morning, how alive is your faith?  Is it producing the works in your life that it should?  I think Paul summed up this idea of saving faith and the works that will follow quite well in the Ephesian letter:

 

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, (9)  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (10)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

·        He also adds another factor into the picture; God’s grace (unmerited favor).  We are saved through faith not works, but we are created for the good works that follow.  We are “His workmanship.”  He has created and invested in us to be His hands and feet here upon this earth.  It is our faith that inspires us to do the good works He created us for.

·        Looking at your own life this morning, how alive is your faith?  Is it producing the works in your life that it should?

 

Heavenly Father thank You for Your Word and please help us to have a faith that is pleasing in Your sight that produces the good works You created us for.