What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14 NIV
I love the book of James because it’s practical and presents Christianity with an appeal to basic common sense. On a philosophical level, we are saved by grace, through faith, certainly not by works, and I’ve no doubt James understood that; but God inspired James to challenge us with the question above. Why? Because we all know that anyone who really believes the gospel will live differently than someone who doesn’t. Faith in a savior like Jesus, who is full of compassion and who’s love knows no limits, will naturally change the way we treat other people.
James gives us a very practical example:
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17 NIV
Faith involves more than merely accepting something is true, it must include an active response because we believe it’s true. James sarcastically sites the demons as examples:
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? James 2:18-20 NIV
Here’s James’ point, of course we believe in the truth of the gospel, after all, it is true! Even demons believe, but that doesn’t mean they are forgiven and redeemed!
As evidence of the importance of faith in action, James reminds us of Abraham and Rehab:
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24 NIV
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:25-26 NIV
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. How do we know he believed God? We see his willingness to offer Isaac, his son, in obedience to God’s word. How do we know Rehab believed in God? She risked her own harm by harboring the spies, believing they were there in God’s service.
Think about your own life. How do others know you believe?
If you really believe the gospel is true, you will live differently than if you didn’t! Faith always requires an active response!