THE “SAVING FAITH” OF JAMES 2:20-26
Does James 2:20-26 define what “saving faith” is, saving faith being the type of faith
needed to be born again?
A common statement developed from the above:
“Faith alone saves – BUT – the Faith that saves is never alone…; it is always
followed by good works!”
Is this the subject of James’ teaching?
What do the following two statements teach?
Faith without works is dead (useless) James 2:20,26
A man is justified by works, and not by faith alone James 2:24
1.What did James mean when he used the term “dead faith”?
Using the term “death” to describe what can happen to Christians is not
uncommon in the Bible. Rom 6:2, 7:4, 8:13
In each case, death happens to a believer who was once alive!
a. living according to the flesh
b. alive under the Law
c. alive in sin
2. Considering the context of James 2, the faith to which James refers was a faith
that was once alive, but has now died.
a. Examples
humans born dead in sin Eph 2:1, were once alive in Adam
1 Cor 15:22; Rom 5:12.
If we “all sinned” in Adam, we were obviously “alive” before we
died.
James 2:26 The body dies when the spirit departs Jn 19:30, just as
our faith dies when our works depart.
Note: Just as the spirit is that which gives life to the body, so “work” is
that which gives faith life.
In the absence of works, our faith becomes useless and dead.
b. Can a faith that lacks works “save” a person? Jas 2:14
What “salvation” is James speaking about – deliverance from
hell, or, deliverance from dead (carnal) spiritual life?
Does not James chapter 2 find itself in the larger context of the
book?
Remember: The meaning of a word (such as save) is determined by its
context. The usage elsewhere helps establish the range of possible
meanings but not the meaning in the particular passage under
consideration.
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James 1:13-16 James describes the deadly consequences of sin in
a believer’s life.
It is the “beloved brethren” who are in danger.
James 1:21 What must the “beloved brethren” 1:19, who have
been “brought forth by the Word of Truth” 1:18, do
to avoid their faith dying? 1:21
They must put aside all filthiness and all that
remains of wickedness, “and” receive the Word
that has already been implanted.”
This salvation is a deliverance from the
death-producing effects of sin and the life-draining
consequences of a workless life.
James 1:22 Doers of the Word will experience deliverance;
those who hear only will not!
James 1:25 A believer who experiences deliverance from sin
is blessed indeed!
Note: Proverbs teaches this same truth – Prov 11:19.
James 5:19-20 Just as it is possible to “save” one in whom the
Word is already implanted 1:21, it is also
Sometimes necessary to “save” one who is of the
“brethren” and is “among us”.
The death delivered from may be the same as
found in 1 Cor 11:30 or possibly 1 Jn 5:16, both
being the end of a process already described by
James 1:14-15.
3. James adds the argument of an objector to his teaching, “someone may well say”
James 2:18-19.
This person does not share James’ view but in some way disagrees
with James’ arguments.
James calls this objector a “foolish fellow”, vs 20
The word “But” also sets off the objector’s argument, clearly showing that the
person is objecting to what James has said.
James 2:18-19
The argument of the objector.
a. He acknowledges that James has faith.
b. He, the objector, claims to have good works
c. He then challenges James to show him his faith without
good works
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d. And he sarcastically states that his faith can be shown by means of
works
NOTE: What the objector is really saying is that “You can
no more show me your faith without works than I can show you faith by
means of works.”
In other words, the objector’s point seems to be that there is no connection
between faith and works at all.
Even if a person produced the works being talked about, it would prove
nothing.
a. The objector continues by attempting to prove his point in verse 19 by
arguing that demons believe and they have no works.
He says, “James, you do well; you believe God is One; so do the
demons and they shudder as a result of their belief.” Therefore
there is no connection between belief and works.
James 2:20-25
James’ response to the objector.
a. James tells the objector that he is foolish and tells him that faith must be
matured by a life of work.
He demonstrates this truth by two examples:
Abraham and Rahab
In Abraham’s Example:
1. He had been declared righteous long before
offering up Isaac. Gen 15:6; 22:9 – declared righteous
before he was circumcised. Rom 4:9-12
2. The justification of Gen 22 is a different justification than that
which occurred in Gen 15.
This justification involved works.
Abraham’s faith was strengthened, matured, and perfected
by his obedience. Heb5:8,9
3. Abraham was already saved, but the maturity of his faith came
as a result of his obedience. Such an obedient response
resulted in his being called God’s friend. (Jesus took the
same position – Jn 15:14)
4. When James says in2:24 that we are justified by works he is
not disagreeing with Paul.
He is simply saying that justification by faith is not the only
kind of justification there is.
Justification by faith secures our eternal standing while
justification by works secures our fellowship.
5. It is by works that our justification becomes evident to others
and in fact, becomes meaningful to them:
~ orphans and widows 1:27
~ poor 2:2-9
~ destitute 2:15-16
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6. By application, 1 Cor 3:10-15 applies.
The affect that a believer's works has in the life of others
ends up being their reward.
In Rahab's Example:
Rahab believed the same thing that everybody else in Jericho
believed. She developed that belief with her actions
Josh 2: 1-11 esp vs 9-11
1. the terror of you has fallen on us vs 9
We have heard how the Lord… vs 10
When we heard it, our hearts melted. vs 11
"We" involves everybody in Jericho.
2. I know that the Lord… vs 9
For the Lord your God, He is God
in heaven above and on earth beneath vs 11
3. Rahab backed up her faith with:
"she brought them up to the roof and
hid them in the stalks of flax" vs 6
4. The result of
a. the dead faith of the people from Jericho
resulted in Josh 6:20-21
b. the working faith of Rahab Josh 6:22-25; Mt 1:5
CONCLUSION
If works do not flow out of our justification, our faith will shrivel up and die.
Spiritual impoverishment is a real danger.
Practical sanctification is not the proof of eternal salvation.
Works and Eternal Life are not connected.
Works and a Completed Life are connected.
Practical sanctification is not a “given” in the believer’s life.
Lack of Practical Sanctification results in real temporal consequences.
Repentance again is needed from the child of God, if fulfillment is to be obtained.
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