The Book of James - 4
The Christian Faith in Action - Chapter 2, Verses 14 - 25
In any law suit those who are involved in judging the case search thoroughly for evidence in support of the claim being made. Likewise, scientists continually search for evidence to indicate the accuracy of their lines of investigation. In just the same way, the genuine profession of Christian faith must be shown by clear evidence of its outworking.
We are looking now at verses 14 to 17:
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed', but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
The example given here is obvious. A person in desperate physical need is not going to be helped by mere WORDS, however sympathetic they may sound. His need of food and clothing can only be met by someone actually giving them to him. In just the same way, says James, a person's faith is shown to be genuine.
True faith in the Lord Jesus Christ MUST result in a change of attitude, life and behaviour. Anything less would be nothing more than hollow-sounding words. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, IS DEAD."
Christianity is not just a matter of giving mental assent to the teachings of Christ. Such teachings are of vital importance, but the truth and reality of them are shown as they are put into practice in the life of the Christian believer.
The indwelling person of Christ, by His Holy Spirit, MUST produce the fruit of a new life in those who obey Him. That fruit is recognised in the behaviour of the Christian. His works indicate the very presence of Christ in him, and so become the evidence to all around that TRUE faith is effective in him.
Now look at verses 18 and 19:
"Butsomeone will say, 'You have faith, I have deeds'. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder."
These verses come as a real challenge. Even the devil himself believes that there is one God. He is absolutely certain of it. He knows it. But that does not save him. The works of the devil are only evil, deceitful and destructive. This demonstrates to us that believing ABOUT God is not enough. We must not only believe ABOUT Him, but believe IN Him. That is our whole trust must be in HIM. We must be committed to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. Being committed to Him means that His power must show through us daily,resulting in works which prove the reality of our faith. Anything less than this is useless.
(v.20-24) "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."
Abraham, always considered a fine example of true faith, is used here to express what James is teaching. Abraham's practical obedience to God meant that he could only have taken that action because of his absolutely genuine trust in God. We are told this in Hebrews 11 v.17-19:
"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, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned'. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death".
We see, then, that Abraham's ACTIONS proved the value of his faith.
James now makes a bold statement which must challenge each one of us:
(v.26) "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
It is vital for each one of us that we put our faith into daily practice. Only in this way will people see our good works and so glorify our Heavenly Father.
What are these practical things which Christians must do to show that faith is real?As we have seen, a true Christian's actions are the fruit of God's Spirit at work within him, and they are not a series of self-made actions. Paul puts it this way in writing to the church in Galatia:
Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 and 22-23
"Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature, rather serve one another in love.... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Are not these things which are so needed in our world today? People are longing for the love and grace which only real Christians can show by a Spirit-controlled daily life. Outgoing kindness in practical things means much to those in need. Forgiveness to those who have wronged a Christian may well be the means of turning them to the Saviour. Very often it is not preaching that wins others to Christ but loving, sympathetic action in times of need.
The Lord Jesus Himself emphasised this need for practical faith when He said: "Inasmuch as you have done it to one of these my children you have done it to me." Practical love shown to anyone, and especially to His people, is counted as practical love shown to the Lord Himself. What a wonderful incentive this is to us all to show our faith by the things we do for others.
I am sure that as you read these studies of the Scriptures you will be discovering how very practical the Word of God is. It is not just a theoretical or theological book, but it carries the very Word of Life, and reveals to those who read it how they can live triumphantly over all the trials and temptations of life.