Pastor Steve's Sermon Notes
October 6, 2002

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (vs. 17)

I. WHO IS RIGHT: JAMES OR PAUL?

Paul (Galatians 2:16)

Problem: “Legalism”
“WORKS” Jewish laws
Focus: “Root of salvation”
(internal/unseen)
Purpose: How to knowI'm a Christian

James (James 2:24)

Problem: Laxity
"WORKS": Christian Lifestyle
Focus: "Fruit of salvation
(external/seen)
Purpose: How to show I'm a Christian

“For it is BY GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH…. FOR a life of GOOD WORKS which God has already prepared for us to do.” Eph. 2:8-10 (GN)

II. WHAT IS REAL FAITH?

Real Faith Is Not Just Something You Say

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (vs. 14)

Real Faith Is Not Just Something You Feel

It's more than emotions. A lot of people confuse emotions and sentiment with faith. You can be emotionally moved and never act on it. Notice verses 15 and 16:
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well: keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it”?

Real Faith Is Not Just Something You Think

For some people, faith is an intellectual trip—a matter to be studied, debated, talked over and discussed. James imagines this intellectual objector in vs. 18: “Someone will say `You have faith, I have deeds…” He's imagining some intellectual guy who says, “You're into faith, I'm into works. That's cool. Different strokes for different folks. Let's debate it. You've got your thing, I've got mine. To each his own way. Stimulate me mentally but don't ask me to make any commitment.”

James says, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” Real faith is visible. You can see it. It's apparent. If you claim to be a Christian I have a right to ask you to prove it by looking at your lifestyle.

Real Faith Is Not Just Something You Believe

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder!” (vs. 19) The word “believe” in Greek means “to trust in, to cling to, to rely on, to commit yourself completely.”

Real Faith Is Something You Do

In the next couple of verses James gives two illustrations that say real faith is something you do. Faith is active. It's not passive. It's a commitment.

Two Very Different People

Abraham (vs. 20-24)

Rahab (vs. 25)

It doesn't matter who you are as long as you've got the important thing. They only had one thing in common—their faith in God. Their faith in God led them to action.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)