Real Faith for Real Life Faith Service Worship Vision
There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds. These sessions are not about opinion, they are about learning truth, the truth contained in the Bible, together we are going to focus on how we apply God’s truth, black & white in a grey world. To set godly priorities, grow in Christian character and live according to God’s standards so that we are a living witness to others. Notes from previous sessions are available from the Bible Study Section of www.ashingdonelim.co.uk.
Session 5
16 May 2011
Real Faith Really Works James 2:14-26 Do you remember when Coke was the “real thing”? It seems if you put the word “real” in front of anything it sells more – “real coffee” or “real leather.” We’re interested in the genuine article. There’s even a book called Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche. There are a lot of false religions in this world, and sadly there are also lots of false Christians too -- people who think they are Christians and really aren’t. In this passage James talks about the difference between real and counterfeit Christians, authentic believers and fake believers.
Often the world will label people as Christians if they make the slightest sound of being a believer. Why is it more than just talk that is involved in real faith? There is a great difference between believing something in your head and believing something with your actions. In this study we are going to see that James has a lot to say about a belief and a faith that does not produce action in our lives. In fact we are going to see that a real faith really works. He talks about how you can have a real faith. Jesus verifies this saying that by a person’s fruits you can know them.
Do you know anybody that claims to be a Christian but you don’t see any real evidence in their life? What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 14
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But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 20 21
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:14-26) 25
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This section of the Bible has been one of the more controversial sections of Scripture throughout history. It is controversial because it seems to contradict what Paul says in Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
It is by the fruit in a person’s life that YOU will recognise other believers. This is exactly what James is saying. He is saying a real faith will be shown in real life.
How is your faith shown in real everyday life?
James 2:24 says You see that a person is justified (considered righteous) by what he does and not by faith alone.
3 kinds of faith
Martin Luther wanted to try to take the book of James out of the canon of scripture because of how Catholics misunderstood this teaching on works.
James in this passage of Scripture talks about 3 different kinds of faith, 2 of which we find are not a real faith, they are not the kind of faith that saves.
Are Paul and James preaching different gospels? They are preaching the same gospel and believe the same things, as the same Holy Spirit has inspired them both. But, Paul and James are talking about two different aspects of faith:
The Faith that is Dead How would you describe a faith that is dead? A dead faith is a “faith” that is all talk and no action. This faith is only intellectual.
Paul against legalism. The problem of: “I’ve got to keep all the Jewish laws and regulations to be a Christian.” There is no work that can be done by us that will justify a man in the eyes of God. Our justification and salvation are purely a gift from God apart from any work that we do. n
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17) 14
n James against laxity. Those that say “It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you believe.” He is saying that a real faith will be evident in the things a person does in the eyes of man. Notice in verse 18, he says, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James gives an example here about someone who says they believe, but there is no evidence of that belief by what they do. “It is too bad that you don’t have food and clothes. Hope things get better for you. I’ll be on my way now.”
There were people that were saying, “Since we are saved by grace, it doesn’t matter what we do. We don’t have to do anything and in fact, we could do evil so God could extend even more grace to His glory.”
James is not just talking about some stranger on the street begging for money. He calls this person a brother or sister. When the Lord puts us in relationship with people, He gives us obligations to care for one another.
Both Paul and James would say, “No Way!” James obviously says that in this passage we just read. But Paul says that too in Romans 3:8 “Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!”
We are called to care for those that the Lord has placed in relationship with us.
Paul says you can’t just do whatever you want and have a real faith. They will be condemned. A real faith changes you.
If we aren’t acting in love in our actions, then we need to ask some serious questions about the reality of what we say we believe.
How has your faith changed you?
Is a Faith that is only in our heads and not in our hands always a faith that is dead?
As I was preparing for this study, I read one commentator who gave a great analogy. He said Paul and James were like 2 law men in those old western films. They are standing back to back firing in opposite directions at different bad guys, but they are unified in purpose and thought.
What about the people who are physically unable to do things for others? There is a big difference between those who can’t and those who won’t! Now, I want to caution people here. There are some who have read this and forget the rest of the Bible and what they preach becomes a social gospel. They preach only the doing and not the believing. Jesus talked about people who did things in his name, but did not have faith in Him, but had only faith in their works.
Paul fighting against those who were saying they were saved on the basis of their good works. James fighting those claiming to have faith and be saved, but they bore no fruit in their faith. Jesus says that fruit is the evidence of real faith, 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:18-20)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name 21
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and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
This was a demon possessed man and this Demon knew exactly who Jesus was. This demon might be able to agree completely with our doctrinal statement. And this knowledge of Jesus and seeing Jesus had an emotional affect upon him, but he is not saved.
They had no faith. They had no relationship with Christ that led them to action. They sought to justify themselves before God by their actions. We can never save ourselves by our acts. It is all through grace.
Just because someone may have right knowledge and even be emotionally affected by this knowledge. Those 2 things alone are not evidence of a saving faith.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
So what is a saving faith then? James tells us that the faith that saves is:
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The Faith that is Dynamic Would you describe your faith as dynamic? Dynamic means something characterised by motion or action. This is a real faith. It affects the whole person, all of who we are.
Our actions, our works, are a result of a real belief in Christ. Real Faith Really works.
It affects us in our intellect, there are things that we need to know and believe.
The Faith of the Demons But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:18-19) 18
It affects us in our emotions. A right knowledge of God will make us realise our sinfulness and need. But it also affects us in our will. A saving faith will cause us to act, to put our beliefs in motion.
This faith that the demons have is also based in knowledge. But they have a belief that is more than just knowledge but is emotional as well. It says they believe and shudder. Their faith is Intellectual and Emotional.
The faith that is dynamic is intellectual, emotional and wilful. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 20
A person may say they have faith, and even have a belief in all the right doctrines, in what is essential to true Christianity, and it may affect them in their emotions even, but just having an emotional response does not make faith real either. The faith of the demons is not a saving faith even though they believe who Jesus is, what He came to do and are affected in their emotions.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:20-26) 25
Consider some of the passages where Jesus confronted demons. In Mark 1:24, when Jesus is in the synagogue teaching, a demon possessed man cries out to Jesus “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!” This demon knew exactly who Jesus was.
James is talking about a real faith as evidenced to other people.
Is it only through our actions that we and others can know the reality of our faith?
In Mark 5:6, Jesus is getting out of a boat and a man sees Jesus and it says, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”
Have you ever been challenged about the reality of your faith?
Sounds like a man who has found the Lord. It seems he recognises Jesus for who He is and he bows down to Him. are you thinking this must be a true believer.
Paul tells us to examine ourselves so that we can know if we are true believers or not, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Consider the verse in context Mark 5:6-7: 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”
How should we examine ourselves? 3
Rahab
When was the last time you took an objective view of the out workings of faith in your life?
James goes to the opposite end to show us that it does not matter how we have lived in the past to have a dynamic faith today. Abraham was a godly Jewish man. Rahab was a sinful, gentile woman. Both of them had a real and dynamic faith that caused them to act on what they believed. Hebrew 11:31, By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
The things you do Our faith is not determined by what we do, it is demonstrated by what we do. Real faith is generous. It wants to give. Can people count on you in a crisis?
Her faith produced actions that put her in jeopardy from a human standpoint, but secured her life and eternity from a godly standpoint.
How many Christians have the freedom to call you up in the middle of the night if they are in an emergency?
You in the spotlight
Are you willing to sacrifice for others as the Lord has sacrificed for you?
Is your lifestyle any different at all from unbelievers?
Are you willing to help others in need thought it will take your time?
If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Are you willing to serve and use your gifts to help others know about Christ?
What kind of faith do you have?
If we just come to church on Sunday and think we believe what is being said, but on Monday go and live like someone without a real relationship with God, we have got a problem.
Do you have only a head knowledge of who Jesus is and what He did? Do you have a knowledge and does that knowledge even affect you in your emotions? Or is your faith dynamic and when others see you, they can tell that you are a Christian?
I am not saying that Christians do not sin. But if sin is all the “fruit” a “Christian” has, they really need to be test themselves, examine their life, and learn to live as a person of faith.
We all will come to a point where we are confronted with a choice to act on our faith or not. God puts that there to show us the reality of our faith.
The example of others
If God places a choice in front of you this week, how do you hope you will react?
James gives us 2 examples here in this passage, that really couldn’t be more different.
Will you help someone?
Abraham
Has God been saying to you that you need to help someone that He has placed in your life? Are you willing to act on that tomorrow?
First he uses Abraham, the father of Faith. James uses the situation of Abraham offering Isaac. His actions showed his faith. He had faith that God was true to his word to keep his promise through Isaac.
Do you need to act on a tug on your heart, how is the Lord saying you need to serve Him?
In the great Hall of Faith as Hebrews 11 is known, the author of Hebrews says, 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
Has the Lord has placed a person at work or in your family on your heart that you need to share the gospel with?
Respond to God’s leading in your heart. To deny the things he is calling you to do should be a cause for you to examine your faith. A real faith will really work and bear fruit for the Lord.
His faith produced his actions. Abraham did not rationalise out of what God told him to do. He acted in faith and we today we see his great faith and it is an example to us.
“Faith is like calories. You can’t see them but you know they’re there and you sure can see the results.” 4