Scripture:
James 2:14-26 NKJV
[14] 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.
Observation:
Over the past two weeks, today being the beginning of the third week, we have been studying the letter that James wrote to the church. It’s a short letter, but I also find it packed full of life principles that can help us live the way the LORD has called us to. In chapter 2 we find some of my favorite scriptures. You see, I have never really looked the part of a Christian, and that has caused a lot of problems for me in churches, which seem to want to present what looks put together but in all actuality is a facade of brokenness. This topic is covered in the first few verses in chapter 2 in this letter, so I would encourage you to read the whole chapter. This morning however, the Holy Spirit has brought me to another familiar piece of this letter. But before we go any further I have to make a statement. I am not saying that we are saved by our works, and honestly, I don’t believe that’s what James is saying either. Because that would mean that the Bible contradicts itself. We all have probably heard by now that, “We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works lest no one boast.” James is not saying our works save us, and if you pay close attention you will see that. On the contrary, what James is doing is calling your faith into action. He starts this process in verses 14 through 17 by giving us an example of what faith in action would look like. “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” That statement is a call to act on what the person says they believe. He then brings up a situation. One that at this point in life, I’m sure we can all associate with, in one way or another. Taking care of the needs of others. Seeing someone hungry or cold and doing nothing about it, but saying a few kind fluffy words. He is calling the person of faith to do what they say they believe. Give that person what they need for the body. Whether it be food or clothing. Meet the need. Jesus built HIS entire ministry around this principle. HIS theology was that when you meet a need you open a door to the heart, and compassion is seen. Not just heard. James is saying you can tell someone all day long that you love them but if you never show them through your actions… its just words. As he continues to teach. He starts to dive a little deeper in verses 18 through 24. As he begins to build his case for faith producing some kind of action. He brings it right to the front of our minds. In a sense, what James is saying in these few verses is, you say you have faith, but all you are doing is going to church. I believe this is an important thing to say, the Bible says do not forsake gathering in MY name. That means go to church or get together with fellow believers. Gather with those who are like-minded. What James says is, ” Don’t let your ‘faith’ stop there. Do something with it. You say you believe, and if you truly believe, act on that belief. The example he gives using Abraham is powerful. Using Abraham’s willingness to obey the voice of the LORD, even if it cost the only tangible part of the promise that had been fulfilled at this point. His son Isaac. Abraham was willing to do whatever GOD asked him to do because he believed that GOD would make him the father of many nations. He had faith in what GOD had spoken to him, so he acted on it. Bringing this point to a close. James brings up Rahab and what she did in faith as well. Honestly, there are so many examples in the Bible that we can’t mention them all in one SOAP. But I can’t drive it home enough. Faith is an action word.
Application:
I’m going to be honest. I spent a number of years sitting in church. Listening to a lot of people talk about their faith. But not putting mine into action. Sitting there, hearing and listening to amazing stories of how a man would set his feet on water, trusting in one word that someone told him, “COME.” Now, of course, that word was spoken by the only man that truly matters, our LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ, but it was the very same call to action that HIS brother James is giving us this morning. What we are being told is that talk is cheap. You can’t walk on water while sitting in the boat. You have to step out of it. I believe it’s important to sit and listen to the word of GOD. Because in it our faith is planted. The Bible says faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of GOD. As I would in church and listen to these amazing stories. The desire to allow GOD to write a story like that with my life grew. I wanted HIM to use me. So I started praying about it. Hearing about walls that fell to the ground made me want to march. Listening to a man who walked on water, later reaching for a beggar’s hand and pulling him to his feet, that seconds before didn’t work, made me want to reach for others. Stories of 2 fish feeding thousands, people who walked to the top of a hill to kill their one and only son, because they believed what GOD had said. These stories grew my faith. They grew it in such a way that I began to want to swing my legs over the edge of the boat. “GOD, use me in a mighty way,” became my prayer. But HE can’t do that if you won’t get out of the boat. I still pray that very same prayer today, but its not It’s not from the boat today. My faith has grown to a point where action is taken. Yes, I believe that those who are still allowing their faith to grow probably think I’m a little crazy. I see the look on their face when they come to where GOD has brought me. Looking at all the broken people. People much like myself. Telling them that GOD loves them, and HE gave up HIS only son for them. My point in all this is…. put your faith into action. Sure, its ok to sit in church and allow it to grow, but at some point, you will have to be a part of the great commission. At some point, your faith will grow, and you will have a desire to swing your legs over the edge of the boat. Now you may take a few steps and then start to sink, but Jesus will be right there to grow you a little more, and soon you will reach for the hands of those who can not walk. Pulling them to their feet so that they can walk with you. This is a call to action. As you have been reading this. GOD has been speaking to your heart. An idea has come to your mind about how to put your faith into action. Don’t let the enemy take that. Don’t hesitate. Start doing something to bring it into view. It may seem impossible, but so was walking on water. However, it has been done. Now it’s your turn…. step out of the boat.
Prayer:
Father, we know that your word is truth. It’s the only thing that we can honestly rely on. We can not trust what we see. So trusting what we can not see is our only hope. Our faith in you is not just words. But it is in your word. You have told us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. We know from our life experience that seeds grow. They begin to take shape, and that faith becomes visible. It’s something that can be seen in what we do. Today we have swung our legs over the boat. As we place our weight on the words that you have given us we know that we will not sink. That’s because you are GOD and you are good. We trust that even if it seems like we are sinking. You will never leave us on the water. Always providing, always showing up, always encouraging us to take that next step. We are here trusting in you. You are everything you say you are. We know that. So we are putting our faith into action, knowing that at just the right time, you will bring a harvest. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.