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Sunday, September 19, 2021

James 2:17 -- 26 (Cutting faith and works in two)

September 19, 2021 (Sunday)

 

James has been tackling the issue of mistaking “faith” for JUST a noun, something possessed by not done. I think he is trying to shift our attention to understanding “faith” as a verb. He is also targeting understanding the difference between depending on works for salvation and works as an outcome of salvation. Possibly the most hated theological verse in the Bible is James 2:17, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” [NLT]

 

James corrects the mistaken concepts of faith and works when he continues, “Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action.” [James 2:18 CEB] The proof of our faith is not a confession (or profession) of faith. I can claim that I am a marshmallow sitting on the moon, but that does not make it so…

 

There is a type of belief that makes NO difference. Case in point, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” [James 2:19 ESV] Knowing who Jesus is and knowing (and being known by) Jesus are two very different things. One of the many examples of this can be found in Mark 1:24 when an unclean spirit (demon) cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.” [CEB]

 

If seems James is unleashing pastoral distress when he declares, “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” [James 2:20 ESV] Putting “foolish” in NOT sugar-coated language would be “you stupid idiot.” As a pastor, I can sense his frustration at the sight of people claiming salvation in Jesus (faith) without transformation (works). Works do NOT save us… we do works BECAUSE we are saved.

 

Like Paul, James point at Abraham as an example, “What about Abraham, our father? Wasn’t he shown to be righteous through his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” [James 2:21 CEB] I’m not sure I can definitively state this, but it seem there is a time when faith gets tested. Abraham is just one example of a passed test. David faltered with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. Jeremiah discovered the consequences of avoiding his purpose. The list could go on…

 

For those who insist on creating a dichotomy (division or contrast, opposites) between faith and works, a course correction is suggested in the next verse, “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” [James 2:22 ESV] If you need an image, think of a coin. Coins are two sided. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other in living-saving faith.

 

As James observes, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” [James 2:24 ESV] Time for a quick Greek lesson. The word translated “justified” is a present passive indicative. Present = currently happening (as opposed to past or future). Passive = being acted upon. Indicative = perspective of the writer/speaker. Another translation would be closer to “is shown to be justified.”

 

James continues by explaining, “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” [James 2:25 – 26 NIV] Those who are “born again” have faith AND works that demonstrate that faith. The two cannot be separated.

 

Separate faith and works and you get what the Message paraphrase observes, “Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?” [James 2:20 MSG] Indeed.

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