James 2:14-19 - Dealing With Works

14 My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?
15 Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat.
16 What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life?
17 So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.
18 But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.”
19 Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear.

No Salvation in 'Works'

V. 14 - “My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?“ -

The relationship of faith and works has been the source of debate and division since the first century. Are you a 'doer' or a 'thinker'? (i.e., “Actions speak louder than words”; or “My belief is personal and my business, I don’t need approval from anyone else”.)

What is the underlying problem James is addressing?  Not needing to work their way to approval from God was a new experience for these new Christians. It was a new religion for those who converted from non-believers. By ‘non-believers’ I mean that those who did not convert from Judaism, and had little experience with the Lord our God. Plus, salvation without working for it would be new for the Jewish converts also. Consider the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - these are major lists of what the Jews were to do.

Perhaps James is addressing the mistaken notion that works were not necessary at all, since righteous works does not save you. Salvation by faith, not by works was Paul's primary message. Almost every religion of that time had things you had to do if you were to be a proper acolyte. I can almost hear a person saying, “I don’t need to DO anything but believe to be saved?”

Is James saying that a person is saved by works? No, I believe this is a continuation of arguments about how we show our faith.

V. 15-16 - “Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life?” -

This is a continuation of the discussion started in 2:7 and continued in 2:14. Can you seriously claim to be a follower of Christ if your life does not show it?

James gives three examples showing the futility of faith without works (vss 15-16, and 19), and two positive examples (vss 21-26).

Is James talking to us? 

If "No", why not? Are you saying, "But I go to church. I sing in the praise and worship services. I take notes of the pastor's sermons. I pray, that should be enough!"?

If "Yes", how so? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is speaking to your spirit, calling you to examine your life with respect to being a follower of the Lord. This is for you to decide, and not me. Talk with the Lord, and make your decision known.

What is the main point? Premise: What we do reveals what or who we are.

"suppose" - James' presents a test case. (Example no. 1) The ‘suppose’ is an ‘If statement’ that ties into to the previous discussion in 2:1-7 and 2:14-15. Here the believer is uncaring, offering platitudes and well-wishes rather than help. James is asking how can the love of God be in this believer? John also wrote to this same issue - see: 1 John 3:17-18  But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

V. 17 - “So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.” -

This is the underlying problem: anybody can claim to be a Christian, but how is it demonstrated? James describes a man; the question: is he saved? It is not for us to say. James is emphasizing mind-oriented (mental acceptance) ‘faith’ vs. a whole-life commitment showing evidence of faith. James is actually asking, "Can that kind of faith (mind-oriented only) save?"

V. 18 - “But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.”

But someone will say, ‘One person has faith, another has actions.’ - Let’s look at the argument of this imaginary critic, and think of the problem with this claim. This is the same 'man' James describes in verse 14 (he says he has faith). The imaginary critic is saying, "You have works only. I have faith only". The critic is basically saying, "both are praiseworthy"

Let’s breakdown James’ example:

• "someone will say" - They claim to have faith, but does the person have it? 
• "faith" - Their claim is an intellectual affirmation; but not an acceptance of the truth, or gospel. 
• "without actions" - Which shows a continual lack of evidence, that is:
• "deeds" (or works, actions) - these show ethical behavior - acts of compassion, based on Christ’s teaching..

This claim means that you get to decide what will save you. You are taking the place of God. You are deciding what is acceptable to God. But there is a problem with this claim. For example: Can you believe that a professional athlete actually loves this country when he or she refuses to honor the flag during a national anthem, or doesn't honor the United States? You must suspect such a claim. Likewise, we can suspect a claim of belief in Jesus if the life does not show it.

Note: If not shown in the lifestyle, then it is non-existent. Your belief system provides the framework of your activities and lifestyle. If a person does not believe in God or Jesus, do you expect that person to be worshipping and praying in church or synagogue? You would not.

James continues his reply:

“My answer is, ‘Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.’” - What is the answer? Can you see another person's faith by observing his works? This is example no. 2. Yes, maybe. Can you see another person's faith without the presence of works? No. You may ask what is the difference. If the person believes that what he does will earn his way into God’s grace - you won’t know his relationship with Christ. But, if the behavior consistently violates Scripture…

James has the antidote to wrong thinking - "Love your neighbor as yourself."  (See 2:8) He is teaching what Jesus said, and  the apostles also preach this. See (2 Pet 1:5-9)

V. 19 - “Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear. ” -

This (example no.3) is a seemingly odd statement in a discussion of faith in action. What do demons have to do with this? James is emphasizing that mental assent is not sufficient. The demons - former angels - know God, but that did not stop them from rebelling! Did they think there would be no repercussions? Perhaps they thought it was likely they might be able to withstand the judgment. They are much like us - thinking they might be able to skate by on this one.

Note: demons BELIEVE THAT God is.  But demons do not BELIEVE IN God.

Thought question: "If you were tried in a court of law for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"