Pr. Asap Singh
Scripture Passage: James 2:14-26
INTRODUCTION:
“FAITH or WORKS?” - It is (was) a controversy whole
through the church history that many believe Paul and James are varying in their
belief on faith and works. Paul is nullifying the fact of – Salvation only by
faith in Romans 4, on the other hand James argues that Faith without works is
dead (James 2).
Today we will be examining in the fact that should we
have “FAITH” alone or plus “WORKS”? In earlier weeks we looked at people who
came to Jesus and were filled with faith. Their faith led them to action – to
take the first step of reaching out Jesus. Can’t we call them an action?
Both Paul and James look at Christian life in
different dimensions. Paul on the one hand writing to the unbelievers – the way
to become believer is only by faith. James on the other hand writing the
believers to show their faith should be in the form of action (works). In other
words faith alone saves a believer in inner point of view, that inner faith is evidenced
to others by actions.
Today we will be looking at the fact in the point of
James – how does faith and work go together or complement each other. (James
2:14-26). Pure faith will tend to do the following as the evidence of inner
faith.
The above passage starts with a question “What good is it, my brothers
and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith
save them?” a strong statement on faith and works argument starts here, I find
three strong reasons James brought out here to explain the readers that faith
is evidenced in “GOOD DEEDS” it is not just deeds – Jesus said in Matthew
7:15-20 contrasting a good and bad tree based on its fruits not the outward
appearances.
1. FAITH IS EVIDENCED
IN COMPASSION (JAM 2:15-17)
One of the reasons the Christian missions started with
compassion works because of the Faith they had in the Lord. Reformation in the
society, education, healthcare, charity works … etc… are the results of early
Christian missionaries and their compassion towards people as Jesus had
compassion towards the people, “Good tree bears good fruits.” Now-a-days India
is facing the crisis of people bothering about cows rather than the poor and
needy in the society.
James ends chapter 1: 27, with this statement “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure
and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and
to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Godliness is something
caring for the orphans, widow and distressed… how can we care for them – it is
by being compassionate to them.
James 2:15-17 talks about “Care for people who are in need” Faith in activity (deeds) once you
started doing it, it becomes a repeated act or called “Chain Reaction” in
science. Faith is like an elevator / moving train / aero-plane – as long as you
watch it from far you will be standing where you are – once you get into it you
will be moving from one place to other.
True Faith Activates With The Nature Of God – Our God
Is Not Passive But Active.
I John 3:14, “We know that we have
passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love
remains in death”
I John 4:8, “Whoever does not love
does not know God, because God is love.”
God is love so you must love (His
activity must be activated in us) – “I will pray for you.” Is the worst excuse
to someone who is in need. When God’s nature is activated in us – we are active
in faith – which will be evidenced in Compassion.
True (pure)
faith leads you to Compassion – That is the evidence that you have faith!
2. FAITH
IS EVIDENCED IN COMPLIANCE (JAMES 2: 21 – 24)
The prime example is taken from the
life of Abraham – Abraham’s life is explained in two stages in this passage. We
see a passive faith and an active faith (after obedience to God’s commandment).
Stage
1: He had to
believe that he will have a son and an innumerable generation – Lord told him
to look at the sky and count the stars in the night - and the sands of the sea
in the day time. He was reminded of God’s promise both day and night (Psalm
1:2). He had to believe almost a 100% impossible thing – the response from
Abraham is “I Trust You” - A passive act in Faith (Just believe)
Stage
2: It is
further explained when the impossible became possible almost 14 years after the
birth of Isaac. The sacrifice of Isaac is an action or obedience (Compliance),
for which he again said “Lord I will do it.”
v. 21, “He had to obey or act upon
it” an active faith. Gen 22:3, “He rose
up early in the morning – Saddled – Started travelling” probable he had not
been informed where he is going to Sarah. It shows the eagerness to act upon
the faith that he had towards the Lord.
v. 22 – “his faith was made complete
by what he did” – Christian life is all
about moving from PASSIVE faith to ACTIVE obedience. Hebrews 11:17-19 the same action is
explained. He believed (passive faith) and acted upon it (active
obedience)
The
result: v.23,
“he was called God’s friend”
True (pure)
faith leads you to Compliance – That is the evidence that you have faith!
3. FAITH IS
EVIDENCED IN COURAGE (JAMES 2:25)
The example used by James is Raheb – the harlot. We
see about the statement of faith spelled by Rahab in Joshua 2:9-11.
“I know that the Lord has given you this land
and that a great fear of you has fallen
on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We
have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the
Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and
Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely
destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our
hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below…”
She was courage to take the first step in faith – the
true faith in her evidenced through her courage. She would be killed by the
king if he comes to know that she saved the spies of Israelites – she had faith
in the Lord so that she was willing to take risk in her courage.
Rehab’s incident proves that “Trust in God and act according to it” Our faith is in something
that is active so you must be active…
True (pure)
faith leads you to Courage – That is the evidence that you have faith!
Conclusion:
To prove your faith is Real, you must prove it by
works (deeds) – because faith is evidenced in three “C”s
·
Be Compassionate
(because God is Love)
·
Be Compliance
(Obey what God commands you to do)
·
Be Courageous (on
your believes – and act accordingly)
FAITH without
activity is MERE BELIEF
FAITH with
work is what a REAL FAITH
May God enable you to be evident in your faith. Amen
Courtesy:
Rev. Charles Price, Living Truth, Canada
on his sermon on James, “Faith and Belief”
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