James 2:20-26
Biblical evangelism (gospelizing) doesn’t end with conversion. The Christian life doesn’t begin and end with conversion; it includes sanctification (holy living) also. Gospel is just as vital for one as the other. Can no more sanctify ourselves than convert ourselves; not that we’re uninvolved in our growth in holiness, we are. Two vital ingredients for conversion and holy living – Holy Spirit and Word of God. Work of Holy Spirit to prepare ground of heart, mind, will to receive good seed of Gospel is essential for germination and growth. Without Holy Spirit, it’s hydro-seeding on ledge at best. At same time, Holy Spirit relies on seed of God’s Word – “faith comes by hearing, hearing by word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Work of Spirit and Word do not end with conversion; continue throughout all of Christian life – Spirit empowering and Word directing holy living.
Having said all that, the convert is by no means a passive participant, simply going along for the ride with nothing to show for Spirit’s work. James makes abundantly clear what his position on the issue is, holding up one likely, one unlikely example of the point he’s trying to make.
A. uselessness of dead faith v.20
challenge to his questioner: OK, airhead, you get it yet or still need evidence?
“O vain man” is literally, “O empty man,” i.e. empty-headed, empty-handed, and empty-hearted. Empty-headed, in being so deluded as to suppose that a dead faith can save; empty-handed, in being devoid of true spiritual riches; empty-hearted, in having no real love either for God or man.” Alfred Plummer
goes beyond mere intellectual assent or knowledge
more important, gets to heart of individual – are you willing to know, are you teachable
important that heart be engaged; otherwise, works are not of faith; no better than Pharisees
James characterizes work-less faith as: barren, unproductive, useless
not only without life and signs thereof
accomplishes nothing, serves no purpose
B. foundational example of Abraham v.21-24
before dealing with Abraham, must define justification
we are declared to be righteous; an act not process; is important who is declaring: God or others
by God, when God credits the righteousness of Christ to our account through instrumental cause, faith. (Paul, Rom. 4:5; 8:33; 3:28; 5:1)
by works, when they evidence the presence of living faith and righteousness. (James, James 2:24, 25)
declaration by God essential to salvation; declaration by works evidence of salvation; Paul maintains salvation and justification come to us through faith, James that saving and justifying faith displays its living character through works.
Paul addressing nature of justification (by faith, gift of God), James the nature of saving faith (living, accompanied by works).
an incomplete Gospel that stops short of where James takes it – radical change of life in all facets that demonstrates progressive holiness for the duration
offered his son (21)
was promised son, innumerable offspring
response: belief in promise; in God’s eyes, having faith basically equivalent to having righteousness
now the test: sacrifice the promise. Is it real faith? living faith? Will God’s conclusion re: Abraham’s righteousness be validated? Abraham had been credited with righteousness; would he demonstrate that he was truly righteous?
faith cooperated with works (22a)
ongoing action of faith the motivating force; no faith to drive, no works to result
was Abraham’s living faith that produced good work of obedience to God’s command
Faith “is a driving force, a dynamics, that will enable a believer to pass the severest tests, such as bringing the costliest sacrifice without “feeling sacrificial,” against every natural instinct, with unwavering resolve, in total readiness, without succumbing to all too human rationalizations and in immediate obedience.” Krabbendam
works perfected faith (22b)
works are expression, manifestation of living faith
faith arrives at its goal in deeds; branch proves to be genuine by fruit. Faith not shown by works never left starting gate.
believer’s works, then, the substance of sanctification but never the ground of justification
fulfilled declaration of Gen. 15:6 (23)
demonstrates authenticity of righteousness credited to Abraham by God
works of Abraham re: sacrifice of Isaac are natural outworking / consequence / result of belief in God’s promise
as if in Ch. 22, God said, Ok you say you have faith; demonstrate it by passing this test. Develop it by enduring this test.
James’ conclusion at this point: given two kinds of faith, the one proven to be genuine at the end is the one that has been authenticated as active. (24)
C. complementary/crowning example of Rahab v.25
“Likewise” – another example of equal weight; huh?? Several good reasons why James chose this approach.
a “perennial” friend of God is complemented with a “recent” friend of the world
Abraham at top of heap, Rahab at the bottom
Abraham a unique, blessed individual, out of reach for average Christian to emulate
OK, then, how ’bout Rahab: certainly not too hard to surpass her station
every Christian is somewhere on spectrum defined by Abraham and Rahab – no excuses!
a model Israelite with a shady Gentile
Abraham had all benefits of covenant relationship, Rahab had none
Abraham moved in God-fearing circle, Rahab saturated in paganism
Abraham’s advantages no “help” to living faith, Rahab’s lacks no hindrance; both had what they did by virtue of God’s direct involvement
a respectable man with a disreputable woman
clearly refutes charge that Christianity is sexist: gender and social status not an issue with respect to justifying faith
a veteran believer with a young start-up
might be expected that Abraham would demonstrate strong active faith, he’d been “walking with the Lord a long time”
Rahab as young believer took no second seat to Abraham when depth of faith is measured by risk taken
someone who in actual practice surrenders his son’s life with someone who in manifest principle surrenders her own
Abraham had personally experienced great wonders / blessings performed by God, was equipped to sacrifice his son
Rahab had seen great wonders that potentially put her and family at great risk; put herself actually at risk, putting own life on the line
in “losing her own life” for sake of God’s people, actually gained it
Rahab exercised faith without having received any promise from God
overwhelmed by glory and majesty of God, did only thing she could – trusted in his mercy
James “designedly put together two persons so different in their character, in order more clearly to show that no one, whatever may have been his or her condition, nation, class or society, has ever been accounted righteous without good works” Calvin
clearly shows that no one in same categories is out of reach of God and his saving grace, granting living saving faith
D. conclusion v.26
Faith without deeds / works is a body without breath. Breathing is outward evidence of living person, so works outward evidence of living faith
Dead faith cannot unite individual to living Savior.
Faith without works just as useless as works without faith – neither combination saves.
“Faith without works is dead, and works without faith are dead also. For if we have sound doctrine but fail in living, the doctrine is of no use to us. Likewise if we take pains with life but are careless about doctrine that will not be any good to us either. It is therefore necessary to shore up the spiritual edifice in both directions.” St. John Chrysostom
[Naked profession] is useless, as to all the purposes of faith; it cannot unite you to Christ, that you may possess yourselves of his righteousness, or give you a feeling of his Spirit. In short, it bringeth no glory to God, yieldeth no comfort to him that hath it, and no benefit to others. Thomas Manton
Let words of epileptic boy’s father be our confession and prayer: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24 May God enliven and strengthen the faith he has given us. May each of us depend on him daily for resources we need to live pleasing and obedient lives of service.
