“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14 AVRLE)
63. If a man has faith, but does not act on that faith, it cannot save him.
This statement is not the usual debate of the doctrine of salvation by faith, works for reward. Faith is what you believe and works is what you do as a result of that belief. It is through Faith in Jesus Christ that we receive salvation, and it is through our works that we receive reward.
In this statement, however, James is not discussing the salvation of a soul, but rather saving the life of a man. His point is that you can believe all things, but if you are not strong enough to act on your beliefs, you can not save yourself.
It is the doing of the belief that makes the saving possible. Thinking about it is without benefit, if action is not taken on that belief.
“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?” (James 2:15-16 AVRLE)
64. If a brother or sister in Christ is naked and hungry, and you tell him to be at peace, warm and fully satisfied in hunger, rather than feed and clothe them, it is going to be unprofitable. If the natural life needs are not met in our Christian brothers and sisters, then the beliefs of the spiritual realm will not benefit them at all. A cold, hungry, naked person who is given teachings in faith, is still cold, hungry, and naked with no ability to understand. Clothe and feed that person with the works of your faith, and you will have a person ready to hear the Word of God, and become a worker in faith with you.
“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.” (James 2:17-18 AVRLE)
65. Faith without works is dead. Faith without works cannot be seen.
66. Faith can be shown by your 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 2:19-20 AVRLE)
67. It is good that you know that there is only One LORD God, but that faithful knowledge does not make you uniquely righteous. Even the devils themselves know there is only one LORD God, and they tremble at His name. The difference between a man of faith, and the devils themselves, is the work that is accomplished as a result of faith.
A Side Note: Worldly people often profess their goodness and greatness by saying “I believe in God”, as they stand offended by a Christian in their presence. This arrogant profession of belief is neither noble nor notable. The devils themselves know there is only one LORD God! The difference between a person of the world, and the wicked devils, is that the devils fear the LORD God and tremble at His Name. How much lesser is a worldly person with the profession of a hollow belief said without fear?
“21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 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. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:21-24 AVRLE)
68. Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar. He did not just tell the LORD God that he had faith in Him, He acted on that faith in accordance with the LORD God’s Will. As a result, his faith was proven and made perfect.
69. Because Abraham believed the LORD God and acted in faith, he was made righteous and called the Friend of God. This work based on faith that was accomplished by Abraham is proof that through works a man is justified, and not by faith alone.
“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 AVRLE)
70. Rahab the harlot was also justified by her works when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way to save them.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26 AVRLE)
71. Just like the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without works is dead also.
Worksheet for Lesson 5 (Part 2
118. (Let’s Talk)
What use is faith, if works do not come from it?
If a person has faith in Jesus Christ, but lacks the will to build on the Foundation of Jesus Christ through the doing of His Word of God, does that man receive valid salvation?
If a person loves Jesus Christ and the LORD God, yet conforms to this world, with his personal lusts and desires being fulfilled, and neglects to implement the Word of God, is that man considered a Christian who walks with Jesus Christ?
If a person adopts a lifestyle of pleasure and worldliness, but at the same time confesses the Lord Jesus Christ, and gives tithes to the poor on a regular basis, does that person belong to the Kingdom of God?
If a person that claims to be a Christian, walks on a good path with Jesus Christ, yet often strays to fulfill his lusts, and then returns to the same walk over and over and over, does that person receive spiritual growth as a result?
What examples can you share of pretend Christians who know the Word of God, and understand what they should do, but instead do nothing but profess with their lips their beliefs, without implementing the things that the LORD God would have them do?
What examples can you share of fake Christian leaders who are guiding unsuspecting young and immature Christians off their spiritual path, who disregard the Word of God, and do works in conflict with the faith they profess?
What examples can you offer of a faithful Christian that has walked strongly in faith and demonstrated that faith through focused and faithful actions based on the Word of God, in spite of the hardship, trouble and oppression that has come?
What examples can you offer of the wicked and arrogant Christian fakes who gain benefit and recognition as a result of “being a person of God”, who can quote scripture and verse, who can sing praises in perfect pitch, yet who pervert and hide the Word of God from their actions when they are not being watched?
119. What results if you tell a naked and hungry Christian that he should have faith and fill peaceful, warm and fully satisfied in his hunger? James 2:15-16 (64)
A. It is unprofitable
B. You will make the hungry Christian less faithful because he would still feel cold and hungry
C. Confusion between the faith and resulting works would occur
D. All of the above
120. Why is faith without works dead? James 17-18 (65, 66)
A. It cannot be seen
B. Faith without works is not dead
C. You are saved by faith, and works are not necessary
D. You must have works to be saved, or you are dead
121. (Essay) What is the differences between a person of faith, a devil and a professing person of the world with regards to their belief in the LORD GOD? James 2:19-20 (67)
122. When was Abraham justified by his works? James 2:21-24 (68)
A. When His name was changed from Abram
B. When he offered Isaac to be sacrificed upon the altar
C. When he was praying to the LORD GOD in the desert
D. When he was contemplating all the good things of the LORD GOD
123. What results when you do an action on your faith in accordance with the LORD GOD’s Will? James 2:21-24 (68, 69)
(May be more than one answer)
A. Your faith is proven
B. Your faith is made perfect
C. You are made righteous
D. You are called a Friend of God
124. How was Rahab, the harlot, justified by her works? James 2:25 (70)
A. By repenting of her sinful ways
B. By receiving the messengers and sending them another way to save them
C. By converting to Judaism and becoming one of God’s People
D. All of the above
125. (Complete this Scripture sentence…) “For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without _______________________ is dead also.” James 2:26 (71)
