From Profession to Action

James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Proper Professions Lead to Proper Expressions

James teaches that proper professions of faith lead to proper expressions of that faith. For James, expressing the reality of who you are is a big deal. He often uses speech as a means of expressing that reality. Now he addresses the crux of the issue in his congregations: there are people who say they are Christians, but when you examine their lives, there is a disconnect between what they say and how they live.

It's easy to say, "I love God, I believe in God, I'm for God," and attend church, youth group, or Bible study. But once you leave, there's no standard governing your life. James responds to the claim in verse 18: "You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." The ultimate issue is that if someone professes an alive faith—one that is active—it is genuine saving faith. But faith that is not active, not working, is useless. It is dead faith, not saving faith. It is being a Christian in name only.

This is a crucial point. We must examine our lives to determine if we have faith without works or faith with works.

Resolving the Controversy: James and Paul

This passage is often misunderstood as promoting works-based salvation. Verse 24 says, "a person is justified by works and not by faith alone," which seems to contradict the Protestant tenet of sola fide—justification by faith alone. Paul says we are justified by faith apart from works, while James seems to say faith plus works.

But there is no contradiction. Paul in Romans 2:13 says, "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." Both Paul and James emphasize being doers of the word, not just hearers.

Paul discusses justification before God, which is by faith alone, apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28). No one is justified before God by works; the righteous live by faith. James discusses how we see that justification—through works. We cannot see God's courtroom pronouncement of justification, but if it is real, it will be evident in a person's life.

Paul: Justification before God is by faith, with no boasting in works. James: Faith apart from works is dead, and we show our faith by our works (James 2:17-18, 22). A genuine justification before God becomes visible before others. If God saves you, taking you from a sinful lifestyle into a new life, there will be evidence. Your life demonstrates to others that something genuine has happened—that God declared you not guilty.

Justification before God comes by believing in Jesus Christ, realizing he died to save you from your sins. From that realization, you live in a way that demonstrates Jesus saves people from sin.

Abraham: Faith Completed by Works

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

Abraham was declared righteous by faith in Genesis 15. About 30 years later, in Genesis 22, he demonstrated that reality by offering Isaac. His faith was "completed"—the same word from James 1 meaning "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." He believed God's promise that the Messiah would come through Isaac, reasoning God would resurrect him if necessary. Abraham believed God over circumstances.

Rahab: Faith in Action

And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Rahab risked her life to fulfill God's purpose, even in opposition. This shows perseverance—a key theme in James.

Four Examples of Faith

James gives four examples: two negative, two positive.

1. The Compassion Example (Negative)

What good is it if you see a brother or sister poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and say, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them what they need? Faith without works is dead. This is not just about checking attire or meals—it's an expression of spiritual reality. Help if you can; don't just pray and walk away. Applied to salvation: What profit is there in professing Christianity while living rebelliously? Hearing God's commands—honor parents, avoid drunkenness, fornication, lust, murder, hatred—and not doing them profits nothing. It demonstrates inauthentic salvation.

2. Demonic Faith (Negative)

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Demons acknowledge God's existence and tremble, but their faith does not save. Simply professing "I'm a Christian" without demonstration or obedience is demonic faith—useless.

3. Abraham (Positive)

Abraham's life was riddled with sin, yet his faith rested on God's promises as if already fulfilled. In Genesis 22, God commanded the unthinkable: sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. Abraham obeyed, telling servants, "The boy and I will return," trusting God fully despite unclear revelation.

4. Rahab (Positive)

Rahab acted boldly for God's people, showing faith that perseveres.

Three Key Takeaways

1. Pay Attention to the Word and Practice It

Listen to sermons, read Scripture, then examine your life: How much are you putting it into practice? For example, "Children, obey your parents." Practice in small areas—cheerfully obey chores, role-play obedience. Examine your day: Where could you have obeyed better? Don't justify actions with Scripture backward; let the Word examine your life (James 1). The works of the flesh are obvious (Galatians 5:19). Gaze intently into the perfect law of liberty and act on it.

2. Recognize the Danger of All-Talk, No-Action Christianity

Don't be Christian only in church—talking differently there, wearing a mask. Could you speak to friends or from the pulpit the same way? Live consistently, hating sin even behind closed doors. This kind of faith may not be genuine.

3. Genuine Faith Produces Obedience

Saving faith produces obedience. Be convinced Jesus died to save you, trust him, and live freely in that confidence. It produces obedience—not to earn salvation, but because you have it. Faith works; dead faith does not.