Many times I hear that we can have faith without works. What does the Bible say? James speaks of faith and works in his book.
James 2:26 states:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
What does it mean, though? Are we to take this literal or is this a metaphor? I say we should take it literal. However, to truly understand we should go through verses 14-26 and see what James is really talking about. This verse I quoted above can stand on its own, but for true understanding let’s read the context of the chapter. Verse 14 is where James starts to speak of faith and works. You are more than welcome to read and study the entire chapter for more understanding. In fact I hope you do.
Verse 14: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?”
I have found that James spoke very literal when talking about the gospel. So, let’s try and answer his questions in this verse.
Question: Does it “profit a man” to “say he hath faith” and “not work?”
My Answer: I say it does not profit man to simply say he/she has faith. I believe one has to do works to let others know they have faith. Faith is something that can go away without works. Like love; when you don’t show it, you can’t feel it.
Question: “Can faith” alone “save him?”
My Answer: Again, no. It can however put a man on the path to be saved. It is the first step to being a believer in anything.
Verses 15 and 16 go together, they say: “15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”
These two verses explain that having faith the brother and sister will acquire clothes instead of giving them your clothing and food for them to eat. Having faith alone won’t accomplish anything. Just having faith without works is like saying you love someone but never showing them you do. It is easy to say words, but what about doing works to affirm those words?
Much like John the Baptist taught in Luke 3:11 which says, “He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”
Charity is works which demonstrate faith.
Verse 17 of James: “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.”
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians in his first Epistle the following: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith…”
In context we learn that Paul is grateful the people of Thessalonia not only have faith but are showing it. The verse above ends with, “in the sight of God and our Father.”
This shows me that God wants us to show our faith through works. Not only is James saying it is necessary, but Paul as the mouth piece or Prophet of Christ’s church tells the people that it is good to show “faith in the sight of God.
Going back to James 2:18 he continues: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me they faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
It really can’t be done. You cannot show faith without doing an action; works. They go hand in hand. Work is an action. Are we putting our faith into actions?
Matthew 7:20 reaffirms this by stating: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Not only is Christ warning us against false prophets in this chapter, but he is also explaining what to look for in followers of Christ. Fruits are our works.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.”
We can have faith in Christ but our works show that we are followers of Christ. Even the devils have faith; James tells us; in God. They know Him more than we do. The difference is they don’t show faith, they show fear by trembling. Are we fearful or faithful?
Verse 20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
This verse is pretty straight forward. I would like to point out this is the second time James uses the phrase, “Faith without works is dead.” Once as a statement and once as a question. I know when I am at church if we continually have the same lesson topic I need to pay attention because I obviously missed something the last time or two. Look for this statement in the verses to follow.
In the next few verses James asks us about the faith of a past Prophet. One from the Old Testament and his works of faith in the sight of God.
Verse 21: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
How would you answer this question?
I would answer, because Abraham showed God he would have faith doing any commandment given by God. Once God knew Abraham would follow his commandments he spared Isaac.
Verse 22 “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made prefect?”
Again how would you answer this question?
I would answer, we can have faith innumerable to measure, but we will never have perfect faith without showing it by our works.
Verse 23 “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called friend of God.”
Because of Abraham’s faith and works he was called “friend of God.” Abraham received many blessings for showing his faith by works.
Verse 24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
Works show our faith. Faith does not cause works but works cause faith.
Verse 25 “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”
Let’s first learn about Rahab. We can read her account in Joshua 2:1-7 about the experience James brings up. For space I will summarize quickly. Feel free to go and read in context about Rahab.
Summary of Joshua 2:1-7
Rahab hids Joshua’s messengers from the King of Jericho. The King didn’t want them in Jericho. Rahab showed her faith in them by keeping them safe even if it meant causing her pain.
Verse 26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
There is that phrase again. Let’s now go over the verse that I used to start this article.
You can have a body however without a spirit the body cannot function and be alive.
You can have faith however without works faith can waver and die.
So, in conclusion I must say I am always amazed when I hear others say works is not needed for faith. Like I said above one can have faith but without action to show faith the faith is dead.
