Day 5: Faith That Works
Read James 2:14-26
Context: Why does James feel compelled to address the relationship between faith and works so emphatically in this section?
In a way, he’s been building up to this. He’s had to tell the listeners to ask for wisdom to get through trials and ask for it properly, cos your lusts are actually leading y’all away. Then he’s had to address the flagrant, nauseating favouritism that sees the poor neglected and the rich propped up, especially having to slap them upside the head by telling them what real religion should look like. In all of this, the brother is confronting the difference between religion of the mouth and religion of righteousness. By this point, our brother is going to lay it on the line that this matter of faith is crucial to getting religion right, rather than leaving people in a mess and getting the wrong idea about religion.
Content: How does James use the examples of Abraham and Rahab to illustrate his point about faith and works?
The Abraham example shows the man hearing what God says to do, and he does it, almost to the point of giving up his promised son. Faith was proved, and the brother was approved because he put his son where his faith was. Rahab’s example is all the more noteworthy because she put her life at risk to harbour spies and help them escape in the hope that they’d live up to their word. Her actions revealed what she believed. In both cases, their actions were the dynamic expressions of where their faith was.
Concept: What is James arguing about the nature of saving faith, and how does this complement rather than contradict Paul’s teaching on justification by faith?
The nature of saving faith results in works. The order is important. James is not saying that works will save. James is not saying that the only way we’ll be saved is by our works. The Rahab example does not indicate that our works will save us. However, if we have experienced the faith that saves – that faith in God through Jesus Christ – that faith is not dormant, passive and mental alone. The nature of this kind of faith leads us to act in line with who we put that faith in. We trust in God, who is compassionate to the poor, so our faith in Him means we’ll work in a way to meet the needs of the poor. We trust in God, who rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, so we’ll be keen to act in the hope of seeing others rescued from the kingdom of darkness. The faith in the living God animates us to live out our connection with Him.
Conclusion: How can you evaluate whether your faith is producing the kind of works that James describes as evidence of genuine spiritual life?
The measure to see if my life is about helping orphans and widows and remaining unspotted from the world. The measure is whether my life includes serving the poor and needy in the hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ will enrich them. The measure is whether my life is sold out to do everything pleasing to God in obedience to what He’s called me to do.
Next Up – James – Day 6: Taming the Tongue
Read James 3:1-12
Context: Why does James specifically warn about the responsibility of those who teach, and how does this introduce his broader discussion about speech?
Content: What vivid illustrations does James use to describe the power and inconsistency of human speech?
Concept: According to James, why is the tongue such a reliable indicator of spiritual maturity, and what makes controlling it so challenging?
Conclusion: What specific patterns in your speech need the Holy Spirit’s transforming work, and what practical steps will you take to honour God with your words?
The faith that works comes by hearing and obeying the word of the Lord. That’s another reason to get the Word In so we can get the Word Out!
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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