James 2:14-19
James and Paul both speak to issue of relationship between faith and deeds/works. Many throughout history try to pit one against the other – to “destroy” unity or inspiration of Scripture, to serve as foundation for reinterpreting writings of Paul, to demonstrate how James cannot possibly belong in Scripture, etc., etc. After all, James said “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:20) and Paul said “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Tit. 3:5).
Absolutely vital to recognize James and Paul are allies, not enemies, standing back-to-back not face-to-face. Paul addresses how one acquires citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom, James how one validatesclaim to citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom. Paul looks at individual at beginning of timeline representing Christian walk, James at individual some miles down the road. Their operating definition of works is essentially the same: things done from love for God in obedience to God and service of God. Obviously that kind of works cannot be performed prior to conversion, thus cannot contribute to our salvation (Paul). Obviously that kind of works should be performed after conversion, demonstrating clear evidence of our salvation (James).
Also helpful to consider that word faith is used in different senses, refers to different conditions described in Scripture. Historical faith – knowledge of what Scripture contains and assent to its accuracy and truthfulness (Acts 8:13, Simon Magus; Acts 26:27-28, Agrippa); Temporary faith – historical faith plus change in conscience and affections but that soon fails (Matt. 13:20-21). Saving or justifying faith – a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon [Jesus] alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel (WSC Q. 86, Gal. 2:16).
Varying understandings of meaning of “faith” present in church and culture of James’ and Paul’s day; true also of our own. In order to present true Gospel and discern who needs to hear Gospel, must have right (Biblical) understanding of genuine saving faith. James speaks bluntly to dispel any illusions about nature of saving faith, declaring the uselessness of a professed faith that has no confirming evidence. BTW, James’ issue is not between faith and works but between living / saving faith and dead / useless faith.
A. issue of dead faith v.14
James asks rhetorical question, one that expects particular answer; he gives answer in v.17. Also a provocative one, guaranteed to arouse response. It gets personal, not only for one being evaluated, also for one doing evaluation. A serious issue at stake, one with ramifications in eternity. Let’s paraphrase question to reflect contemporary ways of speaking and thinking:
Someone says he believes in God but shows no outward evidence of it; will he go to heaven?
Someone says she asked Jesus in her heart and was baptized but lives just like her unsaved neighbors; is she really saved?
Someone says, “I have my faith, you know, of course I’m going to heaven” but refuses to attend church or hang out with Christians; is he born again?
James makes it clear the answer is “No!” Something that is alive shows evidence of life, faith included. CPR: check ABC; Jesus and the fig tree (Matt. 21:19-21); vine and vinedresser (John 15:2).
Goes even further: James links kind of faith someone claims to have with its ability to deliver. By way he phrases the questions, strong implication is that at least this kind of faith (faith that produces no accompanying evidence) is not saving faith.
Two things to consider: source and object. Saving faith has God as its source; yes, it belongs to the child of God, but came from God, worked in him by Holy Spirit (Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8). Saving faith also has God as its object; it is conviction or confidence in One we cannot see but yet believe exists and responds to those who seek him. (Heb. 11:1, 6) Faith in faith will not save; faith in works will not save; faith in any deity other than God revealed through living and written Word will not save.
I know you all believe this for yourselves. But,… where it becomes important is in our interaction with others: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, “distant” church members, ones who claim some kind of faith. If there’s virtually no evidence of saving faith, what they need to hear most is the Gospel. If they take offense at it, remind them gently of what Jesus and James said: living faith breathes, has a pulse, brain waves, moves and acts in certain ways. Just for good measure, suggest they read 1 John and then James, holding up the text in one hand and mirror in the other to see if the image matches the standard.
B. illustration of dead faith v.15-17
James next sets up a scenario, lip service without action, natural follow-on of partiality shown to the poor earlier in chapter. He speaks of brother or sister explicitly, primary reference being to Christian family, one who is related by union to Christ. Not limited to “church” sphere, since compassion needs are present in all of life. Perhaps James had particular real circumstance in mind, maybe it’s only hypothetical. Either way, brother or sister is in great and immediate need – inadequately clothed and hungry with no ability to change their situation. Need help and now; instead of tangible help, receive spiritual-sounding cliche and are sent on their way. The sort of faith that would do that is useless. Real saving faith acts in practical and material way.
Before you breathe huge sigh of relief, glad you don’t know anyone like that, let’s consider in little more depth. This little vignette no different from what James has written already: an example to illustrate a principle. Real life comes in degrees, though; needs come in different shapes / sizes, responses at different levels also. Remember Jesus’ parable (Luk. 10:30-33) of man who got mugged. Priest and Levite didn’t say anything, simply avoided dealing with issue – Oh, look, someone over there I need to speak to. Just like Samaritan, had means to offer help but avoided involvement.
Other ways same passive non-action plays out. Someone speaks of need, one that brother or sister has resources to meet. Instead of getting involved, say “I’m sure the Lord will provide for you.”; “I’ll be praying for you.” If prayer were fully articulated would sound like “Lord, please meet their need but use somebody other than me.” Don’t have to think long to come up with what’s wrong with that picture: partiality that puts self before others; God can meet their need but not mine; I have more important things to do, don’t have time to get involved, etc….
That sort of response to need according to James is impossible for one who is united to Christ by faith. To be one with Christ means thinking and doing as he would in all situations. Paul declared: “For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” (Eph. 2:10) James’ logic here follows same pattern but in reverse: absence of good works indicates individual is not “in Christ Jesus”, therefore not saved.
Conclusion: salvation is by grace alone through faith alone but not faith that is alone. Saving faith is living faith that demonstrates its liveliness.
C. challenge of dead faith v.18-19
Perhaps you’ve been challenged: “Who are you to question my salvation? I say I believe, I’m a Christian, what right do you have to say otherwise?” How do you respond? James answered by saying anyone can make assertions but those don’t prove anything, don’t demonstrate anything to be true. “Saying it’s so don’t make it so.” To be convincing, there must be demonstration, proof, evidence. Reality is evidence is there in all cases; question isn’t whether there is evidence, question is what does it show.
In classic SLAM!, James says empty professor doesn’t even rise to level of demons. Here’s how it goes: “You believe in God yet have nothing to show for it; demons believe in God and tremble. They have something to show that you don’t.” Although don’t have saving faith, do have confidence in existence of God and are assured of their fate at his hand. One who possesses dead faith isn’t even concerned enough to tremble at God’s promise of what awaits those who don’t demonstrate living faith.
Conclusion: only one sort of faith saves, justifies; all other faith, even though sincerely, even passionately, held fails. Sincere, passionate but wrong kind of faith in right object is doomed to fail; don’t have to figure out all the wrong kinds of faith to be properly informed, just need to recognize they exist. And we need to be able to recognize saving faith; James gives help with that in rest of chapter 2 – two examples of those with living faith: Abraham and Rahab.
May God give us grace and strength to demonstrate a living saving faith, recognize that which is not, be used of God to point those with dead faith to source of life.
