Faith and Works

By: Dan Bailey

James was an inspired writer. His message is from the Lord. Whatever James has taught is true and has the authority of heaven. In order to be very clear about the subject of faith and works, James approached the subject in a variety of ways. Please carefully and honestly consider the following.

James taught by Interrogation. He asked two questions in James 2:14. 'What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" The answers to the questions are simple. If you have any difficulty in answering the questions, I would suggest that you compare the questions with the remaining approaches used by James.

James taught by illustration combined with Interrogation. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" (James 2:15-16).

James taught by simple declaration. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17).

James taught by demonstration. "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works: works" (James 2:18).

James taught by argumentation. He sets forth the logical argument that even the devils believe and tremble but obviously they are not saved. Why not? Because they do not "obey" God! Their faith is lacking in works. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19).

James again teaches by interrogation. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20). Anyone who tries to be saved with a "dead faith" will be sadly disappointed on the judgment day. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:12).

Jesus taught by Biblical Illustration. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:21-23).

James teaches again by simple declaration. "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

James teaches by Biblical illustration combined with a question or interrogation. "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).

James concludes with an affirmation. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26).