James 2:17: Faith By Itself, If It Does Not Have Works, Is Dead

James 2:17
[17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV)

In the previous verses James used an illustration of a person offering to make a hungry person to be filled with food, yet never actually giving them anything. Their words of compassion were completely phony because they were not accompanied by the actual food that was needed. True compassion is followed by action.

"So also, . . ." In the same way that compassion without action is phony, faith without works is phony as well. It is important that we recognize that it is not our works that save us, but our works accompany genuine faith. As Paul makes clear in Ephesians 2:8-10 we are not saved by our works, but we are saved UNTO good works. The works are evidenced of a genuine faith.

Ephesians 2:8–10
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

There are two things that we should look for when one claims saving faith in God. One, are they claiming to have faith, but have given evidence of no works? That is not a Christian, that is a phony. Two, are they doing all kinds of works, but they have never placed their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, on the cross? If so, they are a phony.

When you walk into any church you will find that most people will claim to be Christians. Not all who make that claim are telling the truth. This is why it is so important to emphasize what James is talking about here. We must place our faith in Christ. If we have genuinely done that we will evidence it by doing the good works that God prepared in advance for us to do.

Is your faith real? Have you placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ for your salvation? If so, what evidence would the world see of your faith in the works that you are doing?

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Every Day Devotion

Search This Blog