The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 14-20)

 Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 14-20)

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ 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? ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? – James 2:14-20

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Inevitably, pious “people” of whom profess with a dire “dead faith” will always SUBSTITUTE worthless “words” of the “flesh” for the righteous worthy “works” through “Jesus Christ” alone. However, true “faith” is definitely NOT determined by WHAT one simply says as such. Rather, it is fully found in what we DO! Therefore, we must NOT trust in wild “words” alone, but in actions as well. True Biblical “faith” will absolutely ALWAYS be evident in “righteous” and God-honoring willful “works” mined from a “pure” eternally – REDEEMED Heart!

Therefore, “we” could paraphrase “James” this way: “Faith plus NOTHING equals NOTHING!” And all throughout these poignant passages, he diligently DESCRIBES this corrupt “kind” of dooming DEAD and fickle "faith” in these THREE waning ways:

ONE: Demonic “kind” of dooming DEAD fickle "faith” fashioned ~ EMPTY Confession!

TWO: Demonic “kind” of dooming DEAD fickle "faith” fashioned ~ FALSE Compassion!

THREE: Demonic “kind” of dooming DEAD fickle "faith” fashioned ~ SHALLOW Conviction!

EMPTY Confession!

Here “James” begins this passage with TWO telling quizzing questions for the “brethren” to consider regarding a phony fickle “faith” found in “a man” of which does NOT please “God” at all. Here is an EMPTY Confession:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? – James 2:14

The very important point that “we” each MUST understand in aptly approaching this passage of “Scripture” is that there is a corrupt KIND of fallen “faith” fashioned of the flesh that does NOT surely “save” a soul from dire damnation eternal. Valid “faith” has absolutely ALWAYS been vividly verified by a firm “fruitful” life of overt “obedience” observing the wonderful “Word of God” lived. This is the true saving forever “faith” found in “Jesus Christ” granted – Saved BY Grace!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: For example, “James’” big brother “Jesus Christ” intently instructed His dear “disciples” with this COMMAND regarding their “good works” in the opening of His solemn “Sermon on the Mount“ mandates…

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven – Matthew 5:14-16

In other words, the “light” that surely “shines” soundly out of the LIFE of a true “believer” is one of “good works” outwardly demonstrated by devoted DEEDS associated alongside this true “repentance” from surmised “sin” unto soul “salvation” found in “Jesus Christ” alone. And again “Jesus” said this concerning the wonderful “will” of His eternal “Father” in heaven at the closing of His “Sermon on the Mount“ mandates…

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity – Matthew 7:21-23

It is NOT the elusive “everyone” of whom says they are “doers” of the “Word of God” itself. The beloved “brethren” will eventually exhibit this true SAVING foundational “faith” found in “Jesus Christ” as diligently demonstrated by their “works” for Him. Sadly, MANY rank “religious” ruffians are being demonically deceived and diabolically deluded by a fickle FATALLY false fallacious “faith” that does NOT personally “profit” their soul nor SAVE them from an eternal hell. Thus, “James” is essentially asking the question: “Can THAT kind of FAITH save ANYONE?” The obvious answer is NO! Therefore, “we” must NOT trust in what people say as such. Rather, “we” must DISCERN what they – Actually DO!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Because of the extreme load of man-made “legalistic“ piety found throughout the rank “religion” of jaundice Judaism, these precious “Jewish” people intently internalized a tremendous amount of STRESS due to their self-induced fleshly “works-righteousness” belief system. Imagine being REQUIRED to keep relentless man-made “religious” laws of which you know you could NOT possibly keep. Imagine being absolutely OVERWHELMED with a myriad of ridged rules and relentless regulations of which absolutely NO human being could ever uphold. And imagine “believing” that your “salvation” was wholly DEPENDENT upon your own ability. No doubt a TERRIBLE burden indeed! And as a result, many of these “Jewish” beloved “believers” may have gone from the one EXTREME of lame “legalism“ found in Judaism to the other EXTREME of a chided “cheap grace“ found in Antinomianism pertaining to an improper understanding of “works” within their “Christian” worldview. In other words, if “works” were NOT necessary for “justification” before “God” Almighty, their “faith” became simply a “dead” exercise of intellectualism espoused as such. The gracious “Gospel” of sure “salvation” was graciously GIVEN as a free “gift” given FROM the great “God” above fixed firmly in – Jesus Christ ALONE!

FALSE Compassion!

How do ALL these concerns manifest themselves in the lying “lives” of the PROFESSING phony “one” of whom “James” is addressing here? He continues to consider the “dead” outcome CONNECTED with a factious FALSE Compassion:

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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone – James 2:15-17

“James” practically points to the FACT that this kind of rubbish “religious” rhetoric is nothing but a “dead” and entirely EMPTY convoluted confession of a false “faith” in the fleshly fashion. It is a phony “profession” without PROVISION and a rash “religion” without caring compassion considered There are NO righteous “works” appropriately associated with the WORTHLESS waning woe filled “words” such as “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled” piously propagated to a bemoaned “brother or sister” of whom are in desperate dire “need” fully. Thus, “James” asks HOW this kind of phony “faith” will personally “profit” anyone. True “faith” that is placed IN the person of “Jesus Christ” alone will receive an all-encompassing  “new nature” manifesting itself – Loving ACTION!

SHALLOW Conviction!

Next “James” contends that a “dead” and worthless “faith” is also marked by a snide SHALLOW Conviction:

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works – James 2:18

The “man” of whom “James” is referring to here is most likely himself. Much like the “Apostle Paul” in kind, “James” is a “humble” man and therefore speaks here in the third person. In other words, “James” says: “Go ahead, show me YOUR faith! How can you SHOW true faith WITHOUT your profitable WORKS included?” Thus, “James” personally POSSESSES true firm “faith” and rightly refers to this “unbelieving” person as the “thee” of whom claims to have a factious “faith” found to be without worthwhile “works” accompanied. Incidentally, the Greek word "shew” here means to “exhibit” or outwardly “put on display” in kind. Therefore, if there are NO realized “righteous” deeds nor the “fruit” of real “righteousness” firmly found IN their life, then there is NO way to demonstrate the viable VALIDITY of their profession of “faith” founded in “Jesus Christ” Himself – IMPOSSIBLE!

Only ONE God!

Sadly, this “unbelieving” person might even further ARGUE by crassly claiming: "Well, I BELIEVE in only ONE God too. In fact, I'm a Monotheist!" To this point “James” again rigorously REFUTES with this stinging statement:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble – James 2:19

In other words, “James” rightly responds to this particular person: “You intellectually BELIEVE that there is only ONE God? Good for YOU! So do the devils themselves!“

HISTORICAL HINTS: The “Jews” have HISTORICALLY piously prided themselves on their “religious” orthodoxy, particularly “believing” in “God” as the “Shema“ spoken of as “one Lord” in the Old Testament narrative:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord – Deuteronomy 6:4

And by the way, the diabolic “devils also believe” this firm FACT as well!  However, unlike this pious unbeliever bemoaned, at least these deceived “devils” have the theological sense to “tremble” with a fathomed – Frightful FEAR!

There is NO such thing as a liberal lamenting “devil” as such! In fact, all “devils” are quite sound in their theology. They “believe” in the DEITY of our great “God the Father” and of “Jesus Christ” the “Son” in kind. They “believe” in the PERSON of the “Holy Spirit” within the triune “God” Head. They “believe” in the death, burial and resurrection of “Jesus Christ” Himself. They “believe” that “God” created EVERYTHING in those six literal days. They “believe” in a literal RETURN of “Jesus Christ” to the earth. They “believe” in a high “Heaven” and a hot “Hell” succinctly. In fact, they could even sign the theological statement of any “doctrinal” creed concocted by man. And the “devils” themselves do NOT have the capacity to “receive“ the forever forgiveness found in  “Jesus Christ” as “Lord” and “Savior” for sin. WHY? Because of their reckless – Rank REBELLION!

DEAD Faith!

Now we conclude this passage as “James” bluntly questions this “vain” and fully FOOLISH fallen critic:

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? – James 2:20

“James” says “O vain man” of which literally means “empty-headed“ and found to be without a clue. In other words, “Are you willing to RECOGNIZE this fact, you ‘empty-headed’ man? Your false faith WITHOUT accompanying righteous WORKS is dead!" This vicarious “vain man” mentioned here is the SAME uniform unbelieving mocking “man” mentioned back in verse 14 previously purported! Incidentally, “James” uses a different word for “dead” here than he used previously in verse 17. Here he uses the word “Arga” which means “fruitless” such as a “tree” of which bears NO faithful “fruit” and is worthless for the “good” harvest…

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them – Matthew 7:16-20

Therefore, “James” rightly reiterates unto this “vain man” that fallacious “faith” found to be WITHOUT willful “works” is indeed an unprofitable utopia – DEAD Faith!

In closing:

Good NEWS and Good DEEDS… Which One? ~ BOTH!

Inevitably, “James” notes that “a man” will ardently ASK the question: "Isn't James IN theological CONFLICT with Paul?" This is the typical “religious” argument eagerly espoused by those of whom maliciously MISHANDLE the wonderful “Word of God” maligned. To aptly ANSWER this obvious objection overtly, “we” have to absolutely ACCEPT exactly what “James” says in that “works” will viably VALIDATE the willful “words” of the believer beheld. And in so doing, “we” are defiantly NOT deceptively denying what the “Apostle Paul” also tantamountly taught when he said that sure “salvation” is beheld BY fomented “faith alone,” BY great “grace alone” in kind. But WAIT! Since “Paul” is saying “NO” to such “works” and “James” is saying “YES” to such “works” worked, aren't they in stark conflict with each other? – GOOD Question! 

Here “James” and “Paul” are NOT standing face-to-face in a confrontational stand-off. Rather, they are standing back-to-back fighting two common enemies! “Paul” is fighting those “people” who want “salvation” to be BY their own “works” of the fallen “flesh” and “James” is fighting those “people” who shirk “salvation” as shown to be WITHOUT willfully warranted “works” of absolutely any kind...

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:8-10

Thus, “Paul” is saying “salvation” is only BY the given “grace of God” attained alone and “James” is saying “salvation” surely produces personal “works” unto the “Lord” lauded – NO Conflict!

The ardent “Apostle Paul” is deeply DEFENDING the Divine “faith” against a legalistic lurch that CLAIM one must “work” of their OWN merit to be “saved” through the “Law of God” attained. And “James” is deeply DEFENDING the Divine “faith” against a libertine supposed “salvation” that caustically CLAIMS one can simply “believe” and have NO consummation of a changed life and therefore is “saved” through the intellect alone. Therefore, to ADD any waning “works” to the “grace of God” is to deny His great “grace” itself – Saved FOR Works!  

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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