Practicing your Faith
Practical Christianity Series
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
June 27, 2010
Key Scripture
James 2:14-26
Exegetical Idea
Genuine Faith Produces Genuine Works
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
* James 2:14-26 is famous for theological controversy.
* We must approach this difficult text in the proper way.
1. We must seek to understand the particular problem that the author was addressing
2. We must seek to understand James’ point in its context
3. We must focus on the main point James is addressing:
o What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?—v. 14
o Faith by itself if not accompanied by action, is dead—v. 17
o Faith without deeds is useless—v. 20
o Faith without works is dead—v. 26
Someone once said …
True faith and good works cannot be divorced, for your life is the laboratory in which your faith is shown to be real.
THE ARGUMENTS STATED…14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
* James writes, if a man claims to have faith. James doesn’t say this individual actually does have faith, but this person claims to have faith.
* The verb translated here, “ to claim or to say’ is in the present tense , which suggests this person is constantly asserting his faith and constantly saying I have faith, have faith, but his words are hollow. No outward evidence to supports his claim.
* James has nothing against faith, but he wants it to be genuine and whole-hearted faith.
* If there is a root, it will eventually bear fruit.
THE PRINCIPLES ILLUSTRATED
Characteristics of Genuine Faith
1. Genuine faith is more than Words … but is involved
15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his
physical needs, what good is it?
* It’s not enough to verbally believe.
2. Genuine faith cannot be divorced with Work…but is partnership
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
* Faith was never designed to dwell alone.
3. Genuine faith cannot be hidden …but on display
18c I will show you my faith by what I do.
* If it doesn’t show, you don’t have it.
4. Genuine faith is not merely intellectual response … but from the heart
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that
* It’s not enough to intellectually believe
THE CONCLUDING PRINCIPLE… 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
1. When faith is separated from works, faith is nothing but a corpse.
2. If it produces no works, it is lifeless and ineffective.
3. What is true faith?
– True faith is based on God’s Word.
– True faith involves the whole man.
>The mind understand the truth
> The heart desires the truth
> The will acts upon the truth
– True faith leads to action
> Abraham was saved by faith (Gen. 15:6) but he proved that faith by obeying God and offering his son. (Gen. 22)
> Rahab was saved by trusting God(Heb.11:31) but showed the reality of her faith by protecting the spies.(Josh. 2,6:17-21)