Can faith save you? Is there a dead faith? What does the saving kind of faith look like? James explains the difference in chapter 2:14-26

Can faith that does not have works save you?

Above is the question that James asks, and answers in chapter 2:14-26 of his letter. He not only asks the question, but to help answer it, he gives us an example of faith without works. He then says explicitly, that faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead. ( So, that kind of faith cannot save a person ) He continues to develop this thought through the next many verses, by giving examples of faith, or belief without works, ( mentioning as a matter of fact, that demons also believe, the point here is, that they believe but are not saved )

Then, James shows specific examples from the OT, of two people who were justified as he says, by their works. He closes out this section by stating again, that faith without works is dead. So, that's what James presents in this part of chapter 2. It's a fundamentally important matter in the Bible.

To be clear...........James is not saying that it’s our works that save us, but he is saying that the kind of faith that saves you, is a faith that is accompanied by works, or has works that evidence that faith. Some have called it a working faith. And some have said, we are not saved by our works, but we are saved to work.

It seems that in James’s letter, he was dealing with a problem that had arisen among the believers. Apparently, some were saying that “I’m saved, even though there are not any works, or seeming evidence of a changed life in my life” ... This was a concern, and a problem, that the Lord through James was seeking to correct. People were claiming to be saved, but there was nothing in their life to substantiate it. It was a faith without works. It was just a mere verbal profession.

It's as if they were saying, "Hey, I'm saved, but you would never know it by looking at my life. Nothing seems to have changed since I've come to have this faith. I'm pretty much like I used to be, and it would be hard to see me as different from those who claim to have no faith.

What James is saying, is that a person who is saved is going to have works that show themselves in their life.

Paul said something similar in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians

5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

As someone once said, “if there has been no change, then there has been no change” And, another said, “no fruit, no root, and no root, no fruit”

In fact, Paul’s letter to the Romans was designed to defend the truth that man is not saved or justified by his works, but rather by faith through the grace of God. He argues that man cannot save himself by his good works, it’s by grace, not works. James on the other hand was defending the truth that if you really are saved, there will be works in your life to prove you are saved.

Romans and James are not in opposition to each other, but they compliment one another. They are two sides of the same coin. Romans, works can't save you, only faith in God, by His grace. And, James's letter, true faith shows itself by the works in a person’s life.

The only work that truly saves anyone is the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and our faith in Him.

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. We are saved by believing in the finished work of Jesus Christ for our sins.

And, Paul said it this way in Ephesians Chapter 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:9not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Father, we thank You for Your saving grace in and through faith in Jesus Christ. All the credit for our salvation goes to You. You are completely and totally deserving of all praise, and of all honor. Thank You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. There is no way we can save ourselves.

2. Only Jesus Christ saves the person who believes.

3. True and saving faith shows itself by works.

4. We are not saved by our works, but we are saved to work.

5. May we serve God in these last days.

6. Let our works bring glory to God.