Faith In Action

Even so, faith, if it have no works, is dead, being alone. 

James 2:17

Even the demons know that there is one God and they tremble. 

James 2:19

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 

James 2:26 

Obedience to God is the mark of true saving faith. James uses the examples of Abraham and Rahab as the type of works that demonstrate salvation, and both of those examples are of people who obeyed God in faith.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  James 2:21

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:25

Saying we believe in Jesus does not save us, nor does religious service. What saves us is a life of faith demonstrated by ongoing obedience to God.

Misunderstanding the relationship of faith and works comes from a misunderstanding of what the Bible teaches about salvation. There are really two errors in regards to the relationship between works and faith:

v  The gospel of “easy" salvation

This error is the belief that one can “make a decision for Christ” or “pray a prayer of salvation,” and based upon that profession of faith, salvation occurs. This is also called “decisional regeneration” and is dangerous and deceptive. Often those who advocate this view of salvation say that once a person has prayed the sinners’ prayer or made a profession of faith they are saved regardless of how they live afterwards. This leads to the creation of a “carnal Christian” in order to excuse the ungodly lifestyles of many who have made a one-time profession of faith in Christ. Yet as we can see in James and other verses of Scripture, this type of profession of faith, which does not result in a life of obedience to Christ, is in reality a dead faith that does not save.

Peter, who preached a powerful message on the day of Pentecost that was so convicting that the crowd gathered asked him what should they do as a result of His word. Peter answer them and said:

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38

This is an outward action based on our profession of faith or belief in God.

v  The other error in regards to the relationship between works and faith is to make works part of what justifies us before God.

The mixture of works and faith together creates a works-based system of righteousness. There is no conflict between Romans 4:5,

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness”
and what James wrote in James 2:26 when he said 

“faith without works is dead.” 

Apostle Paul was speaking of those man-impossible situations where God steps in and does the 'work' for us.   In reference to James, works come from true faith and a heart that has been justified by God by faith alone. The works that follow salvation do not make us righteous before God; they simply flow from a heart that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. 

Understanding the relationship between faith and works is essential because it helps us avoid the errors mentioned above. Saying we believe in Christ does not save us, 

Even so, faith, if it have no works. is dead, being alone.  James 2:17

. . . nor does praying a prayer of salvation or making a “decision” for Christ. Works alone does not save us. Our heart and mind has to become transformed to the thoughts of God. We step out of carnality and obey the will of God. We are no longer conformed to the ways of the world. Apostle Paul tells us:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1

It is Obedience to God's word, His will and His way (not faith without action) that brings about salvation!


(Biblical Studies)





08/13/13

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