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James – Faith in James
Faith in James: Is tested (1:3); prays without doubting (1:6); poor chosen to be rich in (2:5); can claim it but not have a one that saves (2:14); must have works to be alive (2:17); is seen by works (2:18); without works is useless (2:20); perfected by works (2:22); is credited to us as righteousness – belief same as faith (2:23); doesn’t justify without works (2:24); without works is dead (2:26); can be combined with prayer (5:15).
When we let the Holy Spirit define words instead of theologians we often find a much deeper and different definition. Let’s see how the Holy Spirit expands on faith in James 2: A Seen Faith (James 1:14-26)
I believe in Biblical “faith”. I don’t believe in “faith” as defined by many religionists. Some advocate faith without works saves. Others, a faith plus works saves. Both are wrong. Let’s define faith like James did (2:14-26).
James asks, “If someone says they have faith but does not have works can that faith save him?” (2:14). Notice James is asking what kind of faith saves. James’ rhetorical question necessarily implies the answer is no. A false faith, even if confessed, because it is unseen, cannot save.
James states in vv.15-17 that if you see someone needy and don’t help, then your faith is dead because it can’t be seen. James is not saying faith plus works is alive, but rather a “faith, if it doesn’t have works is dead” (v.17).
Then James gets into an imaginary argument: “Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works” (v.18). James is not saying “I will show you my faith AND my works.” James clearly says, “I will show you my faith BY my works.” A faith seen, is a faith working, and therefore is a true faith.
When James says next, “even the demons believe and shudder” (v.19) he isn’t saying the demons have a faith without works. You can see the demons’ (too late) faith working because it shudders. Sadly, that’s more real faith than some in James’ audience could claim!
Fuethermore, just as the body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is dead (v.26). You cannot see the spirit, but you can see life in a spirit-filled body. According to biblical teaching, the human spirit is not designed to eternally exist without the body. There is a resurrection coming. Using James’ imagery, a faith that doesn’t work is dead and needs to be resurrected!
A faith seen is a faith working. A faith unseen is not really faith. Saving faith isn’t faith minus works or faith plus works. Saving faith is a real faith that is seen working. What’s being seen in us?
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