Week 20, Day 3: Show Me Your Faith
Today’s Reading: James 4:1-5:20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
James chapter 2 is one of the most troubling chapters in the Bible for many people in the religious world. The predominant belief is that men are saved by “faith only” and that works is practically a taboo. But, James is clear that the two must exist together, and his argument (inspired to be sure) is very logical. What good is it for a person to have faith, if they have not works to show it? The point is illustrated in James 2:15-16 by James saying that we may know of a person who needs clothing or food, but if we don’t do something to provide those things for them, then we have not helped them at all. If all we do is say, “Depart, be warmed and filled,” we have really not done anything for them.
The argument may rage about who has faith, and how much they might have. James points out that faith by itself in the spiritual realm is pretty useless as well–even the devils have faith! Faith by itself, that is without works, is dead (James 2:20). James then used the example of Abraham to illustrate that works were necessary to show faith. How could Abraham prove his faith if he had not acted to offer his son, just as God had commanded? James said that Abraham’s works his faith was made perfect.
James 2:24 is one of the most condemning verses to those who believe that men are saved by faith only. It states quite clearly that we are justified by works, and not by “faith only.” This is the only verse in the whole Bible that has the words “faith” and “only” together, and it is in the negative: “not by faith only.”
The writings of James in this passage have to be summarily dismissed to accept the doctrine of faith only. We are not willing to dismiss any teaching of an inspired writer, and so we will accept that works are a necessary part of faith, and without them we cannot be saved. It is another study to figure out what those works are, but we certainly should not dismiss them and leave them undone!
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