James 2:14–26
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The Distinguishing Marks of Real Faith
The Distinguishing Marks of Real Faith
To distinguish between the genuine and the fake, you need to know what marks the genuine.
How do you know if a R100 note is genuine? The watermark is one of the distinguishing features.
How do you know if diamonds are real? When you shine black light through them, they have a blue colour.
In the same way, God tells us that [Proposition] good works are the marks that distinguish real faith from false faith. Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.
This theme runs through the NT, but it is most clearly and emphatically presented in James 2:14–26. James states his claim in verses 14–17, and then supports it with two arguments in verses 18–26. Let’s examine his claim and two supporting arguments.
The Claim: Faith Without Works Cannot Save
The Claim: Faith Without Works Cannot Save
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
[Exposition] These are rhetorical questions that expect the answer “no!”
Faith that does not have works does not profit.
Faith that does not have works cannot save.
It is radical and critical claim. Faith that does not result in good works does not profit others or save the believer.
Although it was a rhetorical question, James proceeds to answer it by way of an illustration.
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?
[Exposition] The story is about intellectual faith—mental assent to a set of beliefs—that does not change the lifestyle of the “believer.” This faith does not help or serve the lives of those around him or her. It does not profit others.
Two of the major themes of the letter come together here:
James’s concern that true religion is known by its attitude towards the vulnerable (James 1:9–11, 1:26–27, 2:1–13); and
James’s concern that true faith is shown by obedience to the Word of God (James 1:19–27).
Now he draws a conclusion:
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
[Exposition] This is his conclusion: ‘Faith by itself’ (holding true beliefs about Jesus and salvation) ‘if it does not have works’ (evidence that your life has changed) ‘is dead’ (powerless to save you).
Faith that does not change me or serve you is useless to you and me. It won’t help you and it won’t save me.
[Application] There are millions of nominal Christians in the world. “Nominal” means in name only. They assent to Christian beliefs, but they have not been changed by the gospel. Their faith is ‘dead’, that is, useless to save them.
Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.
[Transition] Now James presents two arguments to support his claim that faith without works is useless. They are presented as responses to objections.
The Practical Argument: Demons Are Not Justified by Their Faith
The Practical Argument: Demons Are Not Justified by Their Faith
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. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
[Exposition]
‘But someone will say’. This was a common technique for arguing and writing in the ancient world. James introduces an imaginary objector, who states objections to his claim. He proceeds to answer the objections. It is known as diatribe.
‘You have faith, and I have works.’ The point of the objection is that faith and works don’t need to go together; it is possible to have faith without works. The point does not lie in ‘you’ and ‘I’, only in the idea that someone can have faith without works.
‘Show me your faith without works.’ The only way to see faith is by how it lives.
‘I will show you my faith by my works.’ How else could you see faith?
Verse 19: True beliefs are necessary but not sufficient. Even the demons hold true beliefs, but their “faith” does not save them.
Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.
[Transition] This was the practical argument. Now let’s look at the theological argument.
The Theological Argument: Abraham Was Justified by His Works
The Theological Argument: Abraham Was Justified by His Works
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
[Exposition] ‘O foolish man’ is literally ‘O empty man’, someone devoid of depth or substance. He is speaking to his imaginary conversation partner, who wants proof of his claim. The practical appeal is all good and well, but we are people of the Book. Truth must be based on biblical evidence.
So James will support his claim with two OT people: Abraham and Rahab. Abraham is the towering figuring in Paul’s theology of justification by faith. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute, seemingly saved by faith without any meritorious works.
1. Abraham
1. Abraham
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
[Exposition] Paul based his teaching that we are saved by faith alone on Genesis 15:6, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” James says, “Yes but ...” Yes, he was justified by faith, but he was ultimately justified by works—he believed God so completely that he offered his son, Isaac.
[Question] Is James at odds with Paul? Never! All Scriptures comes from God, who cannot contradict himself. James is correcting a distortion of Paul’s gospel—the idea that one can have fire insurance by saying you believe in Jesus and praying the sinner’s prayer.
[Illustration]
We are not saved by faith and works, but by faith that works.
Warren Wiersbe
Faith that doesn’t result in works is false faith.
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
The point is simple: Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.
We believe that men are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith which is alone. They are saved by faith without works, but not by a faith which is without works.
Charles Spurgeon
2. Rahab
2. Rahab
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
[Question] Why this example? As a prostitute, Rahab had more bad works than good. Someone might say, “She was justified by faith alone; her works contributed nothing.” Paul and James would agree! Her act of saving the spies did not atone for her sins, but it showed that her faith was real.
Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle; he that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works, and he that is without works is without faith.
Charles Spurgeon
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James states his point one last time! Faith without works is dead.
Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.
Conclusion
Conclusion
[Sermonic Aim] Thank God for James 2:14–26, where the Lord makes it crystal clear that good works are the marks that distinguish real faith from false faith. Friends, we need to insist with John the Baptist that believers “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
[Illustration] Yesterday, Brazil announced their squad for the World Cup. They are ranked 1 in the world, and are among the favourites. Roberto Firmino, who’s played 55 times for Brazil, is a high profile omission. He took to social media in response. This is what he said:
Yesterday, things didn’t go the way I imagined or dreamed for my life but I can look back and have a grateful heart to God ...
“You Lord will keep in perfect peace him whose purpose is firm, because he trusts in you.”
I take this opportunity to pay my respect and congratulate all the summoned. It was, is, and always will be an honour to defend my country especially with the gift the Lord gave me.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
#JesusIsEnough
Many elite footballers profess faith in Jesus, yet their lives belie their confession. But here is one whose faith is real! In his hour of crushing disappointment, he can be thankful because Jesus is enough.
[Power Sentence] Faith justifies the person, but works justify the faith.