James 2:14-26
James asks the question "what good is it for a person to claim to have faith when their actions do nothing to show it"; "Can such faith save?" James goes on to answer the question, arguing that a faith without works is not authentic, it is dead.
The passage
v14-17. James contends that a faith which claims to look to the mercy of God, but does not show itself in acts of mercy, is a fraud. Such religious faith cannot save since it has no substance; it is nothing more than an expression of religious piety. Such faith is dead and means nothing; it is false, futile and barren. The fruit of this "dead" faith is a cold, hard, callous disregard for the needs of others. In simple terms, "faith without deeds is a dead thing."
1. He points out that a "faith" which is little more that a verbal profession is next to useless. The demons believe that God exists and shudder at the thought of their coming judgment. So, just saying "I have faith" means nothing in itself.
2. James now shows that deeds do indeed evidence genuine faith, so proving his point that "faith without deeds is a dead thing." He illustrates this fact in the life of Abraham and Rahab:
v21-24. First, from the life of Abraham. James makes the point that both Abraham's deeds and faith are integrally linked to his justification. In the life of a justified person, a person set-right with God, their faith is evidenced in their deeds. a genuine faith in the mercy of God will show itself in deeds of mercy.
v25-26. Second, from the life of Rahab. Again, James shows from scripture that Rahab's deeds and faith are integrally linked to her justification. As a justified person, the quality of her faith is evidenced in her deeds - she did all that she could to protect God's servants in Jericho.
The Fruits of Faith
At first sight, it seems to be an exhortation to obedience. It is certainly surrounded by passages encouraging us to obey - don't show favoritism, tame the tongue. If we took it that way it would be saying something like.... "demonstrate your faith through obedience". In this letter, James is not so much encouraging his readers toward deeds of love, as to genuine faith. He makes the point that if we are unwilling to walk before the Lord in deeds of love, then we really have no claim on him. If we have faith we will automatically tend to act in a loving way. We need to be reminded to allow the motivating love of Christ to shape our lives.
There is no value in trying to find security in religious faith while our lives are lived out in rebellion, for a genuine faith will show itself in good deeds. So the passage removes the false security of an intellectual faith, and forces the reader to see their rebellion for what it is. If we are unwilling to listen to exhortations to do good, then such unwillingness only shows we have not come to a saving faith in Christ. James is driving us back to the cross to seek forgiveness. Just as there is no security in law-obedience, so there is no security in an intellectualized religious faith. Our only security lies in the mercy of a loving God whose mercy makes us more merciful.
Jesus, when referring to those who would believe on Him said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29).
"You were marked in Him with a seal."When we first believed something happened that we could not see or feel--we were marked as a Child of God. ". . .you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14). Christians are marked with the Holy Spirit, who is the "down payment". A deposit is the "earnest money" that guarantees that the purchase will be completed at a time yet future. God guarantees us that we are His possession, and the indwelling Spirit is His proof.
"He who began a good work. . ."God had planned from eternity past to save us and our salvation was a partial fulfillment of His overall plan. The Apostle Paul assures us that what God begins--God finishes, ". . .He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6). Note it is God who "carries on the good work." He is the one sanctifying us and we merely try to co-operate with Him. We continually will fall short of the glory of God, but will keep confessing our sins and receiving His precious grace.
The Fruit of True Christianity:
• Love for God: Psalm 42:1ff; 73:25; Luke 10:27; Romans 8:7
• Repentance from Sin: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 7:14ff; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10
• Genuine Humility: Psalm 51:17; Matthew 5:1-12; James 4:6, 9ff.
• Devotion to God's Glory: Psalm 105:3; 115:1; Isaiah 43:7, 48:10ff.; Jeremiah 9:23, 24; 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Continual Prayer: Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18ff.; Philippians 4:6ff.; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16-18
• Selfless Love: 1 John 2:9ff, 3:14; 4:7ff.
• Separation from World: 1 Corinthians 2:12; James 4:4ff.; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:5
• Spiritual Growth: Luke 8:15; John 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:12-16
• Obedient Living: Matthew 7:21; John 15:14ff.; Romans 16:26; 1 Peter 1:2, 22; 1 John 2:3-5; A Desire And A Willingness To Be Obedient We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, " I know Him," what does not do what he commands is a liar first John 2:3-4.
• An Appetite For The Word Of God. " As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" 1 Peter 2:2, 3.
• A Friendship With Other Believers. God's plan for Christianity involves the church. A growing Christian will naturally desire to be around others who have a similar love for God.
