Have you ever been tempted to walk out of a church service?
Example of "Justification by Works"
Title: What is True Faith?
Sub-title: Justification by Works
v21, v24, v25
Does there seem to be an error in the bible?
Are Paul and James are saying different things?
This is a mis-understanding of what James is saying
Real faith is proved by your deeds, evidence by the life you live, verified by a life that pleases God
A hypocrite says ‘I believe’ but lives contrary to living faith
Faith saves you – your Christian life [works] is a proof of salavation
Overview:
What is true faith: Is it a faith that stands alone?
Is it a faith that has to be evidenced by works?
Is it a living faith?
Is it a faith that stands alone?
Example of Martin Luther
Before we start with James teaching, we must consider Paul’s teaching
Reading Romans 4:1-8
We do not boast in ourselves
Abraham purely believed the promises of God
Justification by faith alone ➜ a central premise of Christianity
It is not works but faith
Our works are sinful – but faith brings total forgiveness
This is where we start
James is saying that if this faith is genuine it will be accompanied by good works
You are saved by faith alone
But faith cannot remain alone
We have become new creations
James was concerned about these Jewish Christians
They did not have a living faith
Reading v14-17
Consider siblings, who is your neighbour?
1 John 3:17-18 – "But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
1 John 4:7-8 – "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
1 John 3:14 – "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death"
Faith in Christ saves you
But then there will be fruit
The evidence of salvation is fruit
Is it a faith that has to be evidenced by works?
How is faith seen and evidenced?
There are many who do good works
How can we distinguish between those who do good and those who have faith?
Consider Noah
Faith that responds to God’s word
This is very different to those who simply do good
v18-20
You start well
I will show you my faith by my works
The demons believe and tremble
It is not enough to believe in your mind
Do not misuse Scripture / do not be deceived
How many are nominal Christians with no living faith
What is a living faith? (v21-25)
Abraham / Jew / Patriarch
Rahab / Gentile / Woman
Both took great risks
Example of Abraham
You are justified before God by faith alone, you are justified before men by your works
Example of Rahab
Yes, faith does need to be evidenced
Pray that we will do better works
It is not enough to come to Church – their must be action … a living faith
Is it a living faith?
v26 – faith without works is dead
True faith will always be seen
Eph 2:10 – we are created for good works
Tit 2:14 – "who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works"
What good works?
James 1:27 – "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world"
James 2:1-4
Care for the underdog, no partiality
James is all about the practical Christian life – bridling the tongue
Example of two songs – focusing on Jesus Jesus, Jesus – all sufficient / Yet not I but Christ in me
