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Message Notes
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” —James 2:14
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —James 2:17
“What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” —Romans 4:3-5
Different Audience:
- Paul - Unbelievers
- James - Believers
Different Issue: - “Legalism”
- “Laxity”
Different Definition: - Jewish laws
- Christian lifestyle
Different Purpose: - How to know - I’m a Christian
- How to show - I’m a Christian
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” —Ephesians 2:8-10
Why are works essential to the Christian faith?
- Works Are Essential to Spiritual Growth
“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[a] is that?” —James 2:15-16
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —James 2:17
- Works Are Essential to Verify Faith
“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 2:18
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” —James 2:19
“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” —James 2:20
- Works Were Essential In The Old Testament
Examples in the Old Testament:
- The sacrifice of Abraham
“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.” —James 2:21-23
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” —James 2:24
- The example of Rahab
“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?” —James 2:25
- Works Are Essential to Vibrant Faith
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” —James 2:26
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” —2 Corinthians 13:5-
Questions:
What is God calling you to do?
Do you have the Real Deal?