Faith Without Works is Dead, James 2:14-26

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus 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 without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith without works is dumbbells.

I have dumbbells. Appropriate name. Dumb bells. They are dumb.

Because, going by the pictures in the ads dumbbells give me big abs and biceps.   

Maybe mine are broke.

They’re dead. 

They’re dumb.

Or, is it I whose dumb?

What profit is it for me to say, “I have weights,” but not have works?

Can weights alone strengthen me?

Of course not.  

Likewise, faith without works, is worthless.

Because “faith” without works is not really faith at all, it’s just intellectual acknowledgement. The devils do as much and tremble.

Without faith it’s impossible to please Him... Hebrews 11:6.

Faith, like love, is an action word, a verb.  

For God so loved the world that He gave... John 3:16

Because God is love He got up and did...  

He came willingly, went about doing good, working the works of His Father. He lived sinlessly, died blamelessly, rose victoriously. Has gone purposefully to prepare a place for those who intentionally make Him Lord of their lives. He’s coming again to destroy the works of evil and set up a new heaven and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells forever and ever. Amen.

Until then, His children must be up and doing the works of our Father. No slothful sons and daughters are permitted in the Father's house.

James said, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

Saying I have faith is as profitable as saying I have weights.

Saying I have faith means nothing, it is shown by my works.

Faith comes to life by works.

The body of Adam was dead weight until receiving God’s breath of life.

(Note: breath and spirit are one word in Hebrew (ruach) and one word in Greek (pneuma).

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Works is the breath of life to faith.

Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac. (James 2:21).

Genesis 22:16-17
By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— ¹⁷ blessing I will bless you...

Faith worked together with his works and by works faith was made perfect. (James 2:22).

Perfect, Teleioó. Four times in James we've seen this word already. It means: to complete, to perfect, to accomplish, to bring to an end. Like a pirate’s telescope extending step by step, stage by stage, strength by strength, until full capacity, full extension, full strength, completeness, clarity. ...Perfect.

This blessed work isn’t only for faith heroes like Abraham, but everyone, even folks like, especially folks like, Rahab the harlot who was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way.

All God’s children must be like Rahab the harlot, receive His message and send it out. Do not just take it in like the Dead Sea, but allow it to have its perfect work, flowing in and out of you.

This faithful work is what made the Samaritan, the Good Samaritan.

This life-giving work is how they described Jesus in Acts 10:38, “He went about doing good...”

This joyful work is offered to anyone willing to take up their cross, set hand to plow, roll up sleeves, say Lord send me.

The harvest is plenteous the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2.

WAIT. Hold on a cotton pickin’ minute!

Doug, you’re getting too carried away with all this works stuff. Aren’t you forgetting something? Remember, Paul said:

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Yes. You’re right. He did. It’s true.

Faith without works is dead.

AND

Works without faith is dead.

Going through the motions of the Law, or any other motion or works, to gain salvation, is worthless.

Salvation is a Gift because God loves you and wants you to be part of His great big, noisy, messy, happy, loving, family. Period.

You can’t work for it or earn it. It’s a Gift.

The Gift is offered to everyone. Forced upon no one.

You do not receive the Gift just because you were born.

You must be born again.

That means willingly, purposefully, receiving, accepting, the Gift by faith.

Faith does not mean, “believe,” as in intellectual acknowledgement. The devils do that.

The kind of faith required is the kind of faith James is describing. Faith that works. Faith that commits.

Faith that doesn’t work, isn’t faith. It’s fake. It’s religion. It’s hypocrisy. It’s saying I have weights but never lifting a finger. It’s dumb bells.

The faith that works receives a call from an old friend.

It listens more, speaks less, while he pours out his heart. It’s been four years, but he’s still not right.

Ever since Genny, his best friend, the love of his life...passed from this life. Only 46, way too soon.

Faith without works would say, “I’m so sorry, depart in peace, be warmed and filled, I’ll pray for you” and hang up the phone.

But faith with works, stays on the line for as long as it takes, heart breaking and praying and listening some more.

Until finally, he gets up the nerve to share what’s on his mind.

For months on end, he’s been thinking that God’s been speaking about him packing up and moving, here. To be a part of this Church family.  

“I think, if I can do that, my life will be fulfilled.”

The last few days, I’ve witnessed Love, roll up her sleeves.

Faith in action. Faith with works. Investing hours scrubbing and cleaning and furnishing the cottage to make it look and feel like home.

Hanging new blinds, putting together a brand-new bed. Making a homemade banner that read, “Welcome Home Tex,”

Digging down deep and coming up with two month’s rent.

All for a man you don’t even know.

That’s how faith with works, works.

Working not for man, but for the Lord.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven

Faith with works is dusty and sweaty, exhausting and heavy.

It’s the closest thing to heaven on earth, the greatest joy and fulfillment in the world. It’s a glimpse of our Divine Eternal Destiny. Making heaven on earth.

Dear Saint, your faith with works is working, making an eternal difference. Well done.

It was a long ten hour drive, but our old friend Tex made it here last night, so as soon as I finish writing this, we’re going to go have breakfast and talk about faith that works.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Gift of salvation, and the life giving honor of investing the rest of our days working it out, serving others, glorifying You. So, one day, we, and all those you’ve given us, will hear You say, “Well done.” Until then, we pray You find us faithful workers.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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