07.05.2009 James 2 - Faith and Works

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Father, thank You for the opportunity to worship You and to honor those who have served this nation – thank You for our freedom – we are so blest to have it and don’t always realize. Thank You for Your love for us. We offer our lives for what they are – we give You our all – our everything – it is all we can do. Your offering is pleasing and acceptable to You. We are Your children in whom You are well-pleased. At times it doesn’t feel that way – but it is because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, so we stand clothed in His love.

Today, we will look at one of the most controversial issues and chapters – James 2.

This is the heavyweight. A guy named Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation – whom I will not argue with – but he wrote – in the preface…
I do not hold it to be of apostolic authorship for the following reasons – in direct opposition to St. Paul and the rest of the Bible, it declares justification by works. St. Paul, in Romans 4 – teaches that Abraham was justified without works, but by faith alone.
Secondly, because in the length of its teaching, not once does it speak of the passion or resurrection…
He does violence to the Scripture. Contradicts Paul, and the rest of Scripture. Attracting men to love – I refuse him among writers of the true canon of the Bible – but would not refuse anyone…

We have a book that the great Martin Luther did not accept as part of Scripture. It is because of this passage in chapter 2 – it appears there is this rivalry between Paul and James, contradicting one another. But with closer examination, we’ll see that they complement one another and are in agreement.
Remember the context of Martin Luther – there was an emphasis on works because of the selling of indulgences, so he may have gone too far. Few understood salvation by grace through faith.

This is really important – critical to understanding our faith.
Right in the heart of this is the crux of the argument.
James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Contrast that with
Galatians 2: 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.

When we flew to the pastor’s conference – I went right through because I didn’t have to check my bag – but when one of the other pastors was going through…The sirens went off – it went on for 15 minutes – everything was shut down. When we see this passage, the sirens go off in our minds – something is not right – something does not connect. What they are talking about is “How is a person justified?” Justification - made right with God - a legal declaration of God to acquit – to declare someone righteous – not guilty. “Just if I’d never sinned” – your relationship with God is restored. The story of the Bible is that Man is created in relationship with God. Then – Man is separated from God – an alienation – and there is throughout the Bible – God trying to bring Man back to Himself. God’s character,… our relationship is broken because we have broken God’s law – but God’s character is holy – and requires punishment for breaking His law. Because we have fallen away from God, there are consequences. In God’s love and mercy, He desires to forgive. God’s justice and holiness require punishment for breaking the law. We say – in our culture – why didn’t God just forgive? Because of God’s justice, there needs to be consequences. So – What does God do? He sends Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin – so that His justice can be met. God’s requirements are met on the cross. His desire to forgive because of love and mercy take place there on the cross as well. We are made right with God – because of what Christ has done. So you have a debt – like to your parents – and they forgive you the debt – does the debt disappear? No, someone had to pay it for you. That is what happens with Christ on the cross. God didn’t shuffle your sin away – but He took it upon Himself.

In James 2: 14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for [their] body, what use is that?

This debate was taking place in the church. The controversy is in relation to faith and works. James is talking about the type of faith that is necessary to be made right with God. What is saving faith? What does it look like? He gives an illustration of false faith – someone in need and you don’t help – your faith is not genuine – not authentic.

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, [being] by itself.

If you are unable to do this smallest thing – your faith is dead! It is not real. He brings up both sides of the story – bringing up this argument…
18 But someone may [well] say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

So we have people saying, “I’m a believer!” But James is saying – if the life doesn’t back it up – it is dead and useless – of no value. So many people claim to be people of faith – but their life does not back it up.

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
James uses Abraham and his example as one justified by works. We know Abraham believed God – but his faith was demonstrated in works. The funny thing – Paul uses the exact same story to say we are justified by faith without works.
24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

25 And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without [the] spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
What James is getting at is simply this: How do we recognize true faith? What kind of faith and what kind of works? James is asking, “what is genuine faith?”
James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Contrast that with
Galatians 2: 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus,

The Jews believed that one must be justified by the Mosaic Law. Paul is coming against that. James is saying that post-conversion works must accompany your faith. They are in agreement.

When we trust Christ for our salvation – we are made alive – given the Holy Spirit. That is what Paul is talking about. James is speaking of the genuineness of that. If it is true, there will be a change in the life. It is no more than that. James is looking at the final outcome, Paul was looking at the beginning.

What is interesting – the example that James gives about the works that God is looking for. It is probably not the example that we would use. How do you know if a person is really saved? He stopped smoking – so he must be saved…Or – he stopped doing something else.
But look at James
2: 14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for [their] body, what use is that?

You see – the example James uses as proof – the works James is looking for – not coming to worship services or evangelism or Bible study (all of these are important, obviously) – but James says it is meeting the needs of those around you.

World Vision did a survey – what are the priorities of your ministry?
Highest priority:
79% listed Worship
57% Evangelism
55% Children’s ministries
Just 18% said that helping the poor was a high priority.

14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for [their] body, what use is that?
“Go in peace, be warmed and be filled” – was like a benediction – what he is saying – they are using their religion – their spirituality – as a covering – not to meet the need or get involved. They are using their church practice – their commitments – as an excuse to NOT get involved. This is a lot like the Good Samaritan – the priest – off to do his priestly duty. Then the Levite – does not want to become unclean – he uses his religion to not get involved.
How do we do that? It happens all the time. Think of finances. We have to be wise. But in the Christian world – I think we have placed too much emphasis on Good Stewardship and not on helping those in need. We think – they are in that condition because of their own problems in life! You think that – I have! We think, this is America – they should pull themselves up by the bootstraps.
Or
I have this ministry – I don’t have time to volunteer there.
Many of you have gotten involved – what you have discovered – once you get involved, you get involved. You don’t just show up and say, well, that’s done. It is a part of your Christian life – your daily walk.

Our neighbor – used to cut her grass – but she was a widow – and for 4-5 years, we tookcare of her – we were the only family she had. I would cut her grass – but we were involved in her life until she passed away. Maybe it is a neighbor – maybe it was a ministry – but those are the things that prove our faith. Needs come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe it is children – maybe it is single parents – you can go on and on.

Let me read a passage from The Message – they say it a bit uniquely –

Isaiah 1:10 Listen to My Message, you Sodom-schooled leaders. Receive God’s revelation, you Gomorrah-schooled people. Why this frenzy of sacrifices?” God’s asking. “Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rare and plump grain-fed calves? Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this. Running here and there, doing this and that – all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
13 Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings – meetings, meetings, meetings – I can’t stand one more! 14 Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out. I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go on sinning. 15 When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and you hands are bloody. 16 Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep you lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. 17 Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.

Let’s pray…