James 2:14-26

This section of James is often talked about because some have taken it to be contrary to what the apostle Paul has written.  James 2:26 closes by saying that faith without works is dead.  In Romans 3:28 Paul would write “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”  In Galatians 2:16 he would write; “…knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” 

A careful examination of these passages will reveal that James and Paul do not contradict one another but that they in fact complement each other.  James begins this reading by asking if one has a faith but not works; can faith save him?  Paul and James were addressing different problems in their writings.  Paul was facing Jewish teachers who were teaching that one had to obey the laws of Judaism before they could be a Christian while James was addressing a group that thought that intellectual agreement was sufficient for salvation; two different problems, two different answers to those problems. 

We are not saved by good works, but for good works.  James point was not that works must be added to faith, but that genuine faith includes works.  Paul emphasizes the purpose of faith – to bring salvation.  James emphasized the results of faith – a changed life. 

Martin Luther would claim that James was wrong in requiring works for salvation and his followers, the Lutherans and others still uphold his errant position.  John Calvin would state it like this; “Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.”  John the Baptist would tell those who came to be baptized by him in Luke 3:8 “Bear fruits worth of repentance.”  Jesus would tell us in Matthew 7 “that every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”  In verse 24 of that chapter he would make this statement; “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock;” In John 14:15 Jesus would say, “if you love me, keep my commandments.” 

Paul himself would say in Romans 2:6-11; “…who will render to each one according to his deeds; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality: but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness – indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God.”  Does this sound like someone who claims faith only is all important?  Later in Romans 13:12-14, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”  Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”  There is more to salvation than just believing.  2^nd Corinthians 5:9-10; “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”  Does this sound like Paul is contradicting what James said?  Galatians 6:2-10: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For each one shall bear his own load.  Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Even in one of the great passages on grace, listen to how Paul ends the passage; “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.” Ephesians 2:8-10.  So Paul and James did not contradict but complemented each other when talking of salvation through faith.  Man cannot be saved by perfect obedience, because he cannot accomplish such.  He cannot be saved by imperfect obedience because God will not accept that.  The only solution to this dilemma is the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and both James and Paul emphasize this.  “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” 

The story is told that the Devil had a meeting with his demons to decide how to persuade men that God did not really exist.  Since they themselves believed in His existence, they wondered just how to do it.  One demon suggested that they tell people Jesus Christ never really existed and that men should not believe such fiction.  Another demon suggested that they persuade men that death ends all and there is no need to worry about life after death.  Finally, the most intelligent demon suggested that they tell everyone that there is a God, that there is Jesus Christ, and that believing in Him saves, but all you have to do is profess faith in Christ and then go on living in sin as you used to.  They decided to use this tactic, and it is the tactic the Devil uses even today. 

James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him?” 

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.”  Faith is our belief.  Faith is our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Can believing save us?  Even the demons believe.  James helps us see that genuine faith will always combine deep trust in God and consistent action in the world.  It is not the one who claims to have faith, but the one who actually has faith who is saved.  James is telling us that if we truly believe our lives will change.

What does it profit? Or what is good for us?  The Bible is full of thoughts concerning what is good for us and what is not.  Here James asks; what does it profit if one claims to believe but yet their life shows no change of action?  They have a dead faith. 

In 1^st Timothy, Paul would write, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”  Physical exercise is a little profit to us, but spiritual exercise is profitable for eternity.  (Zeke) That is something that is of profit to us.  Jesus would ask: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)  John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” ^{1st Corinthians 13:3 “}And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

 Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”  The Scripture is all about what things are good for us and what are not.  What things are profitable and what are not.  And one of the things not profitable is the claiming to be a Christian or claiming to believe and your actions do not correspond with your words.  “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?^”  We have already examined in our study of James the verse that says “be doers of the word and not hearers only,” and that theme continues in the thought this morning.  

Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?”  “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”  Matthew 7:21-23  So one can claim to have faith but that faith will not save him.  A faith that is not active, a faith that is not a working faith, a faith that is not accompanied by deeds and action is a dead faith and will not save. 

Can faith save us?  In Paul’s writings faith is referred to in three aspects.  We have been saved.  We are being saved.  And we will be saved.  If I were to ask you this morning are you saved you should have no doubt when you answer that you are saved.  Again, Ephesians 2:8 “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.”  We cannot add to or take away from what Christ has done for us and it is indeed God’s gift to us, His grace; that has saved us.  Does that contradict what James is saying?  Not at all!  We have been saved by the grace of God. 

We have been saved, we are being saved.  1^st Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, we begin this journey towards our salvation.  Does this contradict that faith requires actions to be a saving faith?    Not at all; it complements the thought.  Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  Work out your own salvation sounds like action to me.  It is not just words. 

We have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved.  Romans 13:11; “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”  Our salvation is nearer would indicate that we have not obtained it as of yet.  With these other verses it would indicate that we could have it but we could lose it as well.  This would indicate that our faith that saves is one that is a working faith.  In Philippians 3:20 Paul would indicate that he was waiting for something yet.  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…;” something yet to come.  We  have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved.  These are not contradictory nor are they in contrast to what James says about faith and works.  “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”