Proving Your Faith

I’ve always enjoyed reading church signs.  Here are some of my favorites…

• Whoever is praying for snow…please stop.  I confess.  That’s on me.
• Don’t let worries kill you…let the church help.
• Having trouble sleeping?  Try one of our sermons.
• What is missing from CH RCH?  U R.
• The Lite Church…24% fewer commitments, home of the 7.5% tithe, 15-minute sermons, 45-minute worship services, we have only 8 Commandments – your choice, we use just 3 spiritual laws and have an 800-year millennium.  Everything you’ve wanted in a church…and less!

Last weekend we learned, “If you want God’s favor, don’t treat people with favoritism.” As we continue in our series called Faith Works, we come today to the heart of the Book of James found in 2:14-26.  We’ll see true faith not only leads to impartiality but also to activity: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!  20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 

25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 

Here’s what we’re going to learn: We’re not saved by works, but saved people do God’s work.

The word “faith” is used 11 different times in this passage and it’s used in at least three different ways. 

• Surfacy faith (2:14-17)
• Syrupy faith (2:18-19)
• Saving faith (2:20-26

1. Surfacy faith. 

James begins with two questions in verse 14: “What good is it, brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?”  He’s basically asking, “What’s the use or advantage of saying you have faith if it doesn’t show in works?  Can that kind of faith save him?”  Once again, James asks tough questions with a tender tone to show our talk must affect our walk.

He then gives an unforgettable example in verses 15-16: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”  Notice this is a fellow believer who has no food or clothing.  James makes it personal, “and one of you says…”  The phrase, “Go in peace” was a common Jewish greeting but the word “go” can mean, “Go away” or “get out of my sight.”  

Notice how James uses the phrase, “What good is it?” two times to show surfacy faith is useless.  We can’t talk it if we’re not willing to walk it.  Workless faith is worthless faith.  We see something very similar in 1 John 3:17-18: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?   Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

The wish for this brother or sister to be warm and filled with food is not only empty, it reveals a dead faith.  We see this in verse 17: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  A faith that does not lead to action is lifeless.  The word “dead” is necros, meaning a “corpse.”  

At first glance it appears James and Paul are at odds with each other.  Paul clearly teaches we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works.  James seems to say we must have faith plus works in order to be saved.  Martin Luther, who championed Sola Fide, or justification by faith alone, struggled and stumbled over the Book of James, calling it an “epistle of straw.”  He once remarked “that he would give his doctor’s beret to anyone who could reconcile James and Paul.”  I don’t want to presume to have more insight than the respected reformer, but I think there’s a simple way to reconcile this apparent contradiction.  

But before we go there, this is no small matter because it deals with how one is made right before a holy God.  Are we justified by faith alone, or are we justified by faith plus our works?

I appreciate Steven Cole’s insight.

• The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself in Scripture.  Since we believe all Scripture is inspired and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16), then Paul and James are not at odds.  In a similar way, the Bible teaches God is sovereign and people are responsible to respond.  We teach both because the Bible teaches both.
• Understand the particular problem each human author is addressing.  Paul wrote Galatians to deal with the error of adding outward work to faith alone for salvation.  James wrote to confront those who profess to believe in Christ, but did not have any fruit to show for it.
• Synthesize all the Bible teaches on a particular topic.  This is why systematic theology is so helpful as we look at what the entire Bible teaches on a subject.

Actually, you can find in both Paul and James the importance of both faith and works.  Instead of being contradictory, they are complimentary.  Paul stresses the root of salvation while James emphasizes the fruit after salvation.  Chuck Swindoll says Paul explains how one gains entrance into salvation; James examines how one gives evidence of it.  Griffith Thomas has a helpful perspective: “They are not soldiers of different armies fighting against each other, but soldiers of the same army fighting back against the enemies coming from opposite directions.”

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, but good works prove our faith is genuine.  Paul emphasizes the priority of faith while James focuses on the proof of faith.  We’re not saved by works, but saved people do God’s work.

Listen to what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We are not justified by faith plus works, but by a faith that works

Faith must always demonstrate itself in action.  We don’t work in order to be saved; we work because we are saved.  We are not justified by faith plus works, but by a faith that works.  True faith leads to new fruit.

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear we are not saved by works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Let’s keep going and listen to verse 10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  We are not saved by our works; but rather by a faith that works.  We’re justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. 

Paul said it this way in Titus 2:14: “Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”  Titus 3:8 adds: “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.”

Let’s be clear.  We don’t add actions to our faith in order to be saved but saving faith will express itself in action.

2. Syrupy Faith. 

Surfacy faith that does not express itself in action is dead faith.  James goes further in verses 18-19 by saying a syrupy faith can actually be demonic.  That doesn’t sound right, does it?  “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’  Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

James wants to shake up complacent believers whose behavior doesn’t reflect a dynamic faith so he writes this in verse 19: “You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe—and shudder!”  James is quoting part of the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which every Jewish person learned when they were little and recited every day: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  It’s easy to say words of Scripture but it’s our works that show we belive Scripture to be true.  To recite the Shema is a good idea but to stop there is not enough.  

Are you aware demons are othodox in their doctrine?  Not one of them is an atheist or an agnostic.  They all know God exists, Jesus is the Savior and the Holy Spirit seals every believer.  They even “shudder.”  This word was used for goosebumps and literally means, “to quake with fear and to bristle up.”  Listen.  The acceptance of a creed doesn’t mean you are converted.  Your doctrine can be correct while you live in darkness.  

The man with surfacy faith is only engaged intellectually while those with syrupy faith are simply engaged emotionally.  Maybe you’ve settled it in your head and in your heart but if faith is not lived out through your hands, your faith is not saving faith.

3. Saving Faith. 

Saving faith engages the head, the heart and the hands.  A surfacy or syrupy faith is words without works and emotions without action.  Look at verse 20: “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”  A “foolish” person is one who is empty or hollow.  The word “useless” means “lazy or idle.”  If we think saving faith can exist with no fruit, we are fools.

After asking a rhetorical question in verse 20, James asks two more questions to get us to consider two Old Testament examples of saving faith.  Each of these individuals exhibited a faith that affected their heads, their hearts and their hands.

While coming from different backgrounds and experiences, both of them demonstrated their faith by their actions.  Let’s consider the differences:

Abraham Rahab

Man Woman

Jewish Gentile

Father of the Jews Foreigner

Reputable Disreputable

Moral Immoral

Revered patriarch Redeemed prostitute

Saving faith and fruit Saving faith and fruit

Let’s look first at Abraham in verses 21-23: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God.”  

The word “counted” is a financial term, meaning to put “into one’s account.”  When he believed, God put righteousness into his account.  When Abraham lived out out his faith, it “completed” his faith, which means to be “brought to maturity.”  Abraham was not saved by offering his son, His obedience proved his previous saving faith.  He was not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works.

In verse 24, James restates his thesis: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”   How do we know Abraham had faith?   Hebrews 11:17: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.”  He was also called a “friend of God.”  Jesus said this in John 15:14: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

Abraham’s actions proved his faith was alive.  Look now at verse 25: “And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?”  Rahab ran a house of ill repute but hid the two Hebrew spies and gave them an escape route.  There’s no way she would have done that had she not first put her faith in God.  She gave a clear statement of faith in Joshua 2:11: “for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”  

Rahab didn’t just say she believed, her behavior gave evidence of her belief.  This is clearly stated in Hebrews 11:31: “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”  Her faith worked.  She not only responded with her mind and her emotions; she engaged her will through works.  God honored her faith and put her in the family tree of Jesus.

• Abraham was saved by faith and proved his faith by offering his son.  
• Rahab was saved by faith and proved her faith by protecting the spies.

We are saved by faith and we’re called to prove our faith.  This is true for a respected patriarch and for a redeemed prostitute…and is true for everyone!  No matter how great your sins, the Bible says in Romans 10:13: “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If there’s no fruit, our faith is void of vitality.

Verse 26 uses a brief illustration and concludes with a strong summary statement: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  According to Steven Cole, James is saying something like this: “If you see a body that is not breathing, you can conclude it is dead.  If you see faith that does not produce good works, you can conclude, it’s dead faith.”  Faith is the root and good works are the fruit of our faith.  If there’s no fruit, our faith is void of vitality.

We’re not saved by works, but saved people do God’s work.  

Bringing it Home 

One of the charges against the church is that we’re a bunch of hypocrites.  Many unbelievers think Christians say one thing and do another.

We’re pretty good at talking the talk without walking the walk, aren’t we?  It’s easy to get our doctrine right while avoiding our duty.  The Bible calls us to put our faith into action because faith works.  

I’ve been rocked recently by reports of sexual abuse by pastors and leaders in evangelical ministries and churches.  On top of that, a well-known pastor was fired recently for abuse of power and uncontrolled anger, among other things.  This news comes on the heels of other pastors who have been disqualified due to the abuse of money, sex or power.

I spent some time discussing my reaction and response with the deacons this past Tuesday night.  

Personal Reaction

• Right now I’m lamenting for how this pains our holy God.  I’m reminded of what Habakkuk wrote in 1:2-3: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?   Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?  Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?  Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.” 

• I’m filled with heartbreak for those who have been hurt, victimized and abused.  It’s time to enter a season of sorrow for those who have been sinned against.
• I’m grieving for how churches and ministries have been adversely affected.
• I’m in pain for Christians who have left churches, some who may never return to any church.
• I’m broken about the damage to non-Christians who will be turned away from Christ and/or His church.

Personal Commitment

So that’s how I reacted, but I knew I couldn’t stay there.  I have to do something.  I must look within and make sure my faith is bearing fruit.

After hearing of pastors who have been disqualified because of moral failure or abuse of power, I’ve been asking God to grow me in humility and the awareness that I am not immune – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Here are some safeguards and guardrails I have instituted in my life.

• I will reinforce personal “hedges” to protect my heart, my marriage, my family and my church. 

• I will continue to practice the spiritual disciplines and grow in the fear and wisdom of God.

• I will continue Internet accountability with three men.

• I am committed to live out the biblical qualifications for an elder found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3. 

• I have invited accountability and I submit to the decisions of the deacon board.

• I will avoid insulation, isolation and any sense of entitlement (I’m “one of the pastors” here, I’m part of the team, etc.)

This has affected me.  If you’ve heard about some of this, my guess is you are struggling as well.  What kind of safeguards and pathways do you need to personally implement?

Church Response

In response to the reports of abuse within Southern Baptist churches, J.D. Greear, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, made this statement: “This is a warning sent from God, calling the church to repent…now is a time to mourn…churches ought to be safe places for the vulnerable and predators ought to have no place in our midst.”  

• We must pray for purity and the protection of God’s flock gathered at Edgewood.

• We must remain vigilant at all times – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

• I’m calling for an immediate review of our extensive Child Protection Policy by a group of deacons and staff members (procedures, safeguards, background checks, etc.)

• We will do everything possible to prevent predators access to our people.
• We are committed to provide compassionate care for victims and survivors.  Celebrate Recovery is a safe place for healing if you’re in need.

We don’t want to be a lite church which skates on the surface or just serves up syrupy sermons.  We want our sign to say, we’re not saved by works, but the saved people of Edgewood are doing God’s work.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit, don’t we?  Our hearts long for the glory of God and we want to be overcome by His presence.

Listen to this quote: “Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith; and so it is impossible for it not to do good works incessantly.  It does not ask whether there are good works to do, but before the question rises, it has already done them, and is always at the doing of them.  He who does not these works is a faithless man.”

Do you know who said that?  Martin Luther!  I guess he solved his own dilemma…so he can keep his beret.

Let’s personalize this…

• Believe.  If you’re lost, it’s time to believe and exhibit saving faith by accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  It’s not enough to just believe intellectually or feel something emotionally, you must respond volitionally in order to be saved.  Maybe you think you’re a Christian but it may be your faith is simply surfacy or syrupy.  It’s time to examine yourself to make sure you have true saving faith as we read in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves…”
• Behave.  If you’re among the found, it’s time to behave by expressing your faith in action.  Engage your head, your heart and your hands and prove your faith by what you practice.  If there’s anything you need to confess, do so right now.  If there’s a commitment you need to make, now is the time.  Listen to these words from Jesus in Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.”