Needed: Real Faith

James 1:16-18, 21-27; 2:14-19
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, April 3

The word "faith" is used today in dozens of ways. All kinds of people talk about "keeping the faith" or "having faith." Does this mean that all of these people are born again by God's Holy Spirit and are saved from the wrath of sin? NO!

By filling our culture with unbiblical concepts of faith, the enemy of our soul has deceived many and is keeping them from realizing their need for Christ through genuine, saving faith. Another deception of our day comes from the relationship between "faith" and "works." The Bible makes clear that a person is saved by "faith" alone and that no amount or kind of human works can remove sin or save us. But, the "faith" that saves us does result in Christian works that comes forth from a changed (converted) life.

Paul emphasizes the saving effects of "faith" while James attacked the deception that everything or anything called "faith" is not necessarily authentic, genuine, saving "faith!" Years ago I came across this quote that I find helpful in the discussion of "works" and "faith." The quote goes: "Faith justifies the man, and works justifies the faith."

Receive God's saving word, Jas. 1:16-18, 21

Deception is so destructive! From Eve to Jesus we see Satan tempting people to doubt the love and goodness of God. James warns against such deceptions and reminds us that God's nature is loving and good and He has given us every good and mature gift. Also, God's nature will never change and we can know that He will continue to give to us from His love.

Out of God's great love has come His Word to us. James speaks of the two powerful results God's Word accomplishes to those who receive His Word. First (v.18), God's Word and His Spirit is said to be the instrument used by God to bring us to salvation. James says that by God's word we were "brought forth" which is the word used for giving birth (Jesus said in John 3 we are "born again"). This reminds us that we do not "join" but we are "born" into God's family!

Second (v.21) we see that when we humbly receive God's word into our life we are saved and the character of our life changes. God's word is engrafted or implanted in our lives and we are empowered to "lay aside" the sinful way of life that comes from our old nature.

Do God's revealed will, Jas. 1:22-27

In this passage (v.22) we find another deception! A person who is saved by faith is empowered by God's Holy Spirit to both understand and obey God's will revealed to us through His word. To hear by reading God's word and then not to obey leads to deception!

The idea that hearing or reading God's Word is all that matters is misguided. God did not give us His Word for a reading assignment, but for our life's assessment! James illustrates the idea (vv. 23-25) by comparing such behavior to a casual glance one might take at the mirror. After we walk away from the mirror we don't give much quality thought to our appearance. But when we look into the "mirror" of God's Word, He reveals to us our deepest needs and not surface appearance.

James says that by continuing in the Word we are reminded of our new life in Christ and are able to do the work and are blessed in the process. James lists two areas of work that show a person is continuing in God's will. The tongue is James' first indicator of the genuineness of our faith. Only by God's power and grace can we "bridle" this powerful member of our body.

The heart is James' second indicator of genuine "religion." A heart of compassion for widows and orphans reveals the unselfish, loving heart of God to be alive and active in us. If most Christians got these two areas straight how different would your church be?

Show your faith by your works, Jas. 2:14-19

In this passage James gives us one of the most convincing ways to have assurance of one's salvation! James (in v.14) asks the question "what advantage" is it to have a faith that does not result in godly works? James says that a "faith" that is not of the character to produce a changed life of godly works is certainly not of the character to save a person. (The definite article is present and the last phrase in v.14 could be translated "can THAT faith [the faith that does not produce works] save.")

James illustrates that such a powerless faith is of no advantage to the person claiming the faith nor any advantage to the people around that person. Their needs go unmet and their lives unblessed (vv. 15-17) and James calls faith that produces no works "dead." A "dead" faith means that the person claiming such a faith is still dead in their trespasses and sin.

James anticipates that some might want to separate "faith" from "works" (v. 18). But James will argue that saving faith can not be invisible! Faith is not some mental assent to truth.

Demons hold certain things to be true and they tremble in the process. Repenting of sin and placing faith in Christ results in God giving us life from above that produces godly works from our lives. This result demonstrates the genuineness of our faith and offers assurance to the believer.

Real faith results in a real Christian life that is characterized by real godly character and works. Do you have "Real Faith?"