Faith and Works

"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and 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? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 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...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:14-18, 26 ,NKJV) [Read James 2:14-26.]

Here is another of the controversial passages in James. It seems to directly contradict the teachings of Paul the Apostle. One of the Apostle's most quoted passages is Ephesians 2:8-10: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (NKJV) Why would James, then, put such strong emphasis on faith with works? He was setting up a learning situation well-known and used in his day called a "diatribe". In this style of teaching, a question is posed that can have two possible answers. James starts this section of faith and works with such a question. Every day the Jews began prayers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4: "The Lord is our God, the Lord is one." It could be argued that this statement of faith was enough to save a person. There was no need to do good works. Stating and testifying to one's faith was enough. That had carried over into the Christian community. James says very emphatically in this passage that even the devils believe in God and tremble. Stating faith is not enough. The faith-holder must bear fruit in his life: good works that are demonstrated in compassionate acts for others. A strong faith will make the Christian want to serve through good works. James used as strong points in this teaching on faith and works that Abraham's offering his Isaac as a sacrifice (whom God miraculously saved from death) was an example of the works that show faith. So was the harlot Rahab's action in saving the Hebrew spies sent by Joshua to scout out the strength of Jericho. (Joshua 2).

James wrote before the sect of Judaizers began their assault against the Christian church, but Paul was having to deal with them in his writings. This group wanted the work of the ceremonial law added to trust in Christ as means of salvation. James wrote to urge than an empty faith void of works is not God-honoring. His statement in 2:24: "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only," though extremely controversial, is intended to lead those with faith to do good works. He summarizes his "diatribe" form of teaching verse 26: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James is arguing strongly against a faith with intellectual assent but no fruits in the Christian life. Faith is not repeating words even demons can repeat. Faith is commitment to Jesus Christ, depending on Him for salvation, and serving Him as directed by the Holy Spirit. Faith is shown by the action it produces. And this action is good works. Salvation is God's work that motivates us to work for Him, according to His good purpose for us. Faith in Christ has made the Christian a new creature whose new nature makes him want to seek and do God's work and life a godly life. Praise be to God.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, October 18, 2010