Real Faith is Real Work

Welcome! I hope you came today to worship in truth! We celebrate a God who is worthy of all our praise and all our worship. Thank you for choosing to worship with us this morning.

Real quick, I want to say a huge thankyou to each of you who gave to the Annie Armstrong Easter offering. We went right past out goal of $1000 and were able send almost $1900 dollars to our SBC missionaries and church planters. Congratulations!

We are in the middle of a series studying the book of James. Our Series is titled Get Real. So far, we have studied the storms and temptations that touch our lives and how to receive Real Help in these situations; we studied how to deal with our anger. We saw that we need to be quicker to listen and slower to speak and even slower to anger. We also studied in chapter 2 how to not show prejudice and how not to play favorites. We saw how Christ expects us to show Real Love, His love, to everyone equally.

Today we are going to finish chapter two and look at the topics of faith and works. The title of the message this morning is Real Faith is Real Work. Please feel free to take notes in the space provided in your bulletin.

This passage is possibly one of the most controversial passages in all the Bible. This Is one of the passages that ended up splitting the catholic and protestant churches some 500 years ago. Remember that as we study this passage that James was writing to Christians who were not living like Christians. They proclaimed the name of Christ but lived just like everyone else around them. Let’s ask God to guide our time this morning as we study this passage.

Prayer

Faith is an interesting topic. If you were to go into downtown Randolph and spend a few days just asking people on the sidewalk what they thought faith meant, you would receive a variety of answers. Some would quote the definition we memorized as children, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Some would say it is a religion, “what faith are you?” Like a noun. Some would say it is just believing in something. Or the most modern line of thinking, it can be whatever you want it to be! We all have faith in things. You had faith last night that when you fell asleep your alarm clock would wake you up this morning. You had faith that when you turned the key in your car that it would crank. Interestingly Webster’s dictionary says that faith is “belief and trust in and loyalty to God.”

James pretty much takes everything we have ever known or learned about faith and turns it on its ear. For instance, we all know the passages of scriptures that tell us that if we just “believe” or “have faith” in God that he will “save” us. That’s it. We all know the scripture that says that faith saves us not works.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -- Eph 2:8-9 (ESV)

Then James comes in and just seems to toss it all away. It seems that he contradicts our very core of beliefs. “Whosever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This passage is the passage that made Martin Luther in the 1500’s say that James was a 2nd tier book of the Bible because he and others felt that it contradicts what Christ and Paul taught in other books. I like James. He is an out of the box thinker. He is so blunt and to the point. He just says it like it is, calls it like he sees it. And he can do that because he knows he is right. He knows he is right because the Holy Spirit is guiding his pen! Let’s look the passage starting in vs 14-17

James 2:14–17 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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 is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

“14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

James comes and says what good is your faith if you do not have works!? I have been told most of my life that all I need is faith and if I just believe in God that I will go to heaven! And here is James saying that faith by itself is dead!

This is the split between the catholic and the protestant churches right here. Most Catholics believe that you get to heaven by doing good works. Most Protestants believe that all you need is faith.

So, over the millennia since Christ, we have managed to take faith and works and make them polar opposites that work against each other.

So, who is right, who is wrong? Do the passages penned by Paul and this passage in James contradict one another? I do not believe that there is a contradiction. Bless the theologians over the past hundreds of years, but they missed it altogether. I think Freeman Sleeper said it best, “Paul’s argument is that obedience in Christ is enough to put a person right with God. For James, on the other hand, the real issue is whether making a Christian commitment is worth anything unless it changes the way in which you live.”

You see, Paul and James both see faith as the same thing. They both see faith as what singularly saves a person and transforms a life into something productive that God can use. Neither one of them see faith as merely a belief in doctrine or theology.

James Ropes puts it this say, “The contrast is not so much between faith and deeds, although this stands in the background, but between dead, useless faith and living faith. Faith alone without works is as dead as a body without breath. Deeds are not something extra to be added to faith; they are a necessary part of faith. Without deeds faith is not really a true faith – it is only a shadow, a shade, an imposter, of true faith.”

So, James asks a rhetorical question, “What good is faith without works? Can such a faith save you?” He makes the assertion with this question that it isn’t worth anything. He continues to make his point with a hypothetical situation. He talks again about how Christians react to the poor. He says if a poor man walks in and needs clothes and food and you look at him and say “Go, I wish you well, stay warm and fed” and then send him on his way. What good have you done that man?

We do the same thing today. We see a friend going through a tough spot. He or She is really in a deep valley of life. We usually say, well I will be praying for you! Now prayer is good, but how have you helped that person right here and now? That kind of help leaves us with no responsibility. James says that is not good enough. He says that we need to do something. When someone is in the valley, we need to walk with them. Help them in their situation; help them to get out of the valley.

James 2:18–20 ESV

18 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. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

18But 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.

19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

So, James has made his statement, That Faith without works is useless, dead. Then he does something interesting, he starts a conversation or an argument within his letter.

He then creates this argument on whether you can boil Christianity down to just faith or just deeds. He says that it is impossible to have one without the other. True Faith produces good deeds and good deeds without Faith are worthless.

A lot of people have the idea that they can believe in God, and that belief will get them to heaven, and that they can live however they want. Like a fire insurance; one way ticket to heaven. Get out of Hell free card. James is saying that is not possible.

James is not attacking faith. Actually, he is defending it! He is not attacking believing in God. He is simply stating that pretending to have faith without demonstrating that faith with works will not cut it. He is not denying that faith is necessary; he is saying that faith must produce results.

Real Faith will produce actual quantifiable works.

Real Faith will produce actual actual works.

I think it is interesting in vs 19 that he mentions demons. He tells us that believing in God is not enough! That even the Demons believe but they are not in heaven! HE is saying that you can’t JUST believe.

Many people say, “I believe in God” “I am a Christian, I go to church every week, I even give occasionally. Not a lot, but I give. Probably more than other people. My marriage isn’t great, but it is better than that guy’s marriage.”

To James that would not make any sense, he would say, “You are holding out!” You are not allowing God to change you. You must have faith. One of the most disturbing passages in scripture is Matthew 7:21

Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Jesus is saying here that there are people walking around in this life that think that they are ok. They think that they believe in God, so eternity is all wrapped up in a bow for them. They dream of that mansion and trust they are going to get to it because they believe that there is a God, some of them are even doing things for God. Going on mission trips, sharing their faith, serving at churches, but God will say to them, I do not know who you are. WOW How is that possible!?

I have met people who believe they are sinners; they know they need God. They understand that Jesus lived, died on a cross, came back from the dead after 3 days. They go to church from time to time. They even talk about spiritual things. They know the central teachings of the Bible. They are nice people; they live decent lives. When conversation turns to Jesus or what happens when you die, they sound like Christians. They say the right things. But there is absolutely nothing Christian about their behavior. They may be good neighbors who do a little community service from time to time but there is no real self-sacrifice, no costly obedience, no good deed that goes against the grain, nothing really challenges their perfectly manicured life.

So how do you know if you are ok? Is there a way to know if you are ok with God? James would say, True Faith always changes the heart and the person.

True Faith always changes the heart and the person.

James 2:21-26 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

James 2:21–26 ESV

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

23and 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.

24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25And 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?

26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James gives two examples of changed lives. Lives who embodied great faith. Lives whose faith was displayed by great works.

Abraham – describe the faith and the work

(rich) (righteous)

Rahab – describe the faith and the work

(poor) (sinner)

So, what kind of faith saves? What kind of faith is alive?

This is how Mike Yaconelli answers this in his book, Dangerous Wonder: It’s the “reckless” abandon of the mother who rejects the advice of doctors and family who tell her to abort her Down’s syndrome child, who every day thereafter cares for her daughter and sees Jesus smiling each night as she surrenders in exhaustion to a very long day, only to discover in the morning just enough strength to make it through another day. It’s the wild abandon of a dentist who gives up his lucrative practice to care for his ailing wife when everyone, including his children, believes he is making a terrible mistake, only to find – in the tiny instants of her partial recognition and the final squeeze of his hand as she passes – Jesus’ tears of admiration and love. It’s the irresponsible abandon of a young woman who leaves a brilliant career in television to work in the hopelessly poor villages of Brazil, making a home for street kids who have been abandoned by their families. As she falls asleep exhausted, she hears the gentle lullaby of Jesus’ approval. We mentioned this a few weeks ago. Faith is in the little things. Reaching out to the person no one else reaches out to.

The idea that James seems to want to get across is that faith is an ongoing thing. Faith is not something that just happens, some little prayer that you said as a child or a single moment in time when you got dunked under some water, it is not something that happens; it is something that is happening! Faith is a lifestyle.

Faith is a lifestyle.

In God’s mind, the moment you surrender your life to Him; the minute you say, God, I am not the boss anymore, I believe in you and what you did for me at Calvary, you are, I believe that very moment, justified. When you place your trust in Christ, your sins are forgiven instantly. Works are not required for justification. You can do nothing to save yourself. It must be all God.

Works are the result of justification.

Works are the result of that justification. Once you have been redeemed, once you have allowed God to take control of your life, there simply will be no way around it. He will give you the desire to do His will.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 John 3:16–18 ESV

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

So here is the question. How are you doing? Where are you as far as showing and living out your faith? Are you past the believing mode? James is saying, “There is so much more to this life, there is so much more that we can be a part of. Following God is a life of adventure, of passion, of risk, a life unlike any other. It is not just about believing and saying the right things, it is about making a difference because of those things we believe.

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our hearts:

1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?

2. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been upset and angry over my sins? Do I feel about sin the same way God feels about sin?

3. Do I truly understand the Gospel, that Christ died for my sins and arose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?

4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?

5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?

6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?

7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him?

8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?

9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

I pray that we would be a people and a church that is known as the church that acts, a church that does something.

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