Meditiation - Theme Text James Chapter 2 Verse 14

Theme Text James chapter 2 Verse 14

What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

The Bible speaks of two central issues - the way to God and walking with God. To the spiritually lost - dying in their sins, the Bible explains how it is possible for them to be saved.

And to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and have become Christians, it explains how to live in such a way as to bring glory to God. The Book of James as at the top of the list in the second category - how the Christian is to live in order to bring glory to God.

As someone has said of James " No stained glass theological discussions only grass stained advice from someone following Christ in the grass roots of life."

This is a practical book which takes for granted that the reader knows the basics of the faith. James' intention is to emphasise the importance of living in the faith.

Faith is like calories - you can't see them but you can always see the results. That's the theme of James - consequences of true faith bring real fruit.

Paul in Romans Chapters 3 - 5 had emphasised justification by faith apart from the works of the law.

James emphasises justification by works and not only faith alone. Paul emphasises the root of salvation, namely faith in Christ alone, and James calls attention to the fruit after salvation.

The main issue that prompted James to write If you say you believe why do you act like you don't?

Anyone can claim to be a Christian but the person who has discovered real faith also walks in that faith. Salvation by works - no! Salvation accompanied by works - yes.

Alan Redpath "The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime."

James speaks of the characteristics of Genuine Faith

1) It is not indifferent but involved. Like God himself the Emmanuel - involved (see verse 15) If a brother or sister is naked and in need - what then? - nice words are not enough. There has to be works - real food and real clothing. ( See 1 John 3 v17 - 18 ) If the love of God is in you, you will help your brother in need.

2) Genuine faith is not independent but in partnership. See Verse 17 faith without works is dead. How many of you, like myself ( who are approaching 50 but we don't say from which direction any more!) remember the song love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage? The song ends with the words you can't have one without the other. Faith and works are the same - they go together. Dissolve the partnership and faith dies. Faith is not something which is intended to exist on its own, apart from the partner (works) which proves its existence. Genuine saving faith is accompanied by fruit.

3) Genuine faith is not invisible but on display see verse 18 - show me your faith apart from works and I will by my works show you my faith. If it doesn't show you don't have it. As the body without the spirit is dead - so faith without works is dead. Without breath in the body - without life completely worthless.

4) Genuine faith is not intellectual but from the heart. You believe there is one God - wonderful says James - your theology is first class - hold hands with the devils. They believe and shake - but they are still devils. If you take away the element of application you are left only with mere intellectual assent which neither glorifies God nor helps the person who possesses it.

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul my life my all.

Genuine faith is not indifferent but involved - is yours?

Genuine faith is not independent but in partnership - is yours?

Genuine faith is not invisible but on display - is yours?

Genuine faith is not intellectual but from the heart - is Yours?