Many possess a strong inclination towards engaging in extensive conversations, expressing opinions to others, asserting ideas that are not supported by scripture, and professing that the Holy Spirit is providing daily revelations. However, many people’s actions do not align with their words, as they are limited to mere verbal expressions of confused thought. Tendencies to belittle fellow believers who don’t share similar perspectives are clear, even though they diligently adhere to scripture, strive to obey Jesus’ commands, and faithfully follow Him. As some engage in conversation and express their beliefs, they are individuals who do not take any action and remain idle. In reality, these are people who merely pretend to be a follower of Jesus, deceiving themselves, and refusing to acknowledge the fallacy of confused and mixed ideals. James has a multitude of thoughts and opinions on this matter, and it’s not just James who has an abundance of insights, but the Lord Jesus also has an extensive amount to contribute.
James 2:14-18 (NLT); What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’, but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’
James consistently shows that having true faith in Christ leads believers to doing good works. Christians obey the Father and they treat fellow believers with the same love they have for themselves. Those who do not take action show a lack of faith (James 2:17). James provided a precise teaching in verses 14 through 17, emphasizing that faith without corresponding good works is merely fake. James tells us that there is no need to work for salvation. We are not required to work off our little load of oppressive faults and burdens; James emphasizes our actions by faith reflect our genuine beliefs. Merely stating that one has faith in Christ holds no significance.
There is disagreement among Bible scholars regarding the interpretation of this verse. James is clearly referencing someone, although the original Greek language does not use quotation marks. The challenge here lies in determining the precise point at which the quotation ends and James’s response begins. There is a wide range of options, each with a substantial amount of material that might be discussed. To summarize, regardless of the various interpretations, they all converge on the same core teaching: a person’s faith is evidenced by the actions they take. Works result from a saving faith, and individuals who do not show works cannot provide proof of their salvation.
According to the consensus among scholars and Bible translations, it is widely believed that James intended the quote to be attributed to someone who was objecting to his teaching. According to this perspective, the quotation would conclude after the initial sentence, containing the phrase I have works within this verse. The viewpoint expressed in this statement involves an individual who disagrees with James and argues that there is no correlation between faith and works. It is possible to interpret this as a claim that within the group of believers, some emphasize faith while others emphasize works. It is possible to argue that not every Christian needs to possess both.
The argument presented by James in this context is purely practical, and he challenges anyone to show otherwise. I would like to see any evidence that supports your faith, regardless of whether it is accompanied by any works. It is not possible to accomplish this task. Those who have sincere convictions are more likely to follow through with actions that align with their beliefs. If faith does not drive a person to take action, it is considered a lifeless faith, and it does not lead to salvation. In contrast to what others may think, James asserts he can show his beliefs through the good works he performs.
Again, it’s important not to read the wrong message to James’s words. James consistently emphasizes the inseparable connection between salvation and faith. The crux of this entire passage is that our salvation depends solely on faith, contrary to any other beliefs. Works directly result from having a saving faith. While works alone cannot save, it is important to note that those who are saved will naturally exhibit good works.
In every instance where faith is mentioned there is action that faith produced or an event resulted by faith.
Scriptures concerning an act of faith:
The Faith of a Centurion
Matthew 8:5-13 [When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel, have I found such faith? I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion, Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.]
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Luke 5:17-20 [On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”]
Woman Healed
Matthew 9:20-22 [And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her, he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.]
By Faith
Hebrews 11:4-5 [By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God.]
Hebrews 11:8-9; 11 [By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. By faith Sarah herself received the power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.]
Your faith must produce fruit, and your faith must not be idle, and you cannot be sedentary. You must be involved somewhere, even if you believe that somewhere is not adhering to a biblical worldview. Remember, the key word in the last sentence is “you think,” it is not what God may think because He already knows, He does not need to think. What you are to do is present Christ in you. Your life must be an example for others. Your words must reflect the gospel’s message. If you cannot present Jesus active in your life, producing wholesome fruit for other to be nourished with, then as I began, you are nothing but all talk, a fruitless tree that is not rooted in Christ Jesus. If that is the case with you, there is a way for that to change; it will require you to repent and change direction, and accepting the words in Romans 10:9;
[because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.]
Once you accept what Paul says in Romans, your life will change, and signs of new fruit will be evident in your speech and in your actions. I encourage you to have a meeting with Jesus. This is done in prayer and meditation. He will answer you.
Shalom
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