Worshipful works

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, ¹⁶ 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? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ 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. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ 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? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James 2:14–26

Introduction

This section of James is full of controversy. We are told elsewhere in Scripture, especially the passages written by the Apostle Paul, that God’s grace alone saves us (Eph. 2:8–9). Yet James seems to be saying that good works play a role in our salvation (v. 24). God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself, so how can this be?

Consider this: suppose a friend was always going on and on about how wonderful their spouse is and the depth of their relationship, but you never saw relational warmth between them. You’d be correct in questioning the nature of that relationship. Simply put, love and faith in another produces action that affirms the presence of said love and faith. So it is with faith and works.

Those who truly understand what God has done for them cannot help but be moved to live a generous, worshipful life. These acts of worship are the very “works” that James is referring to.

If we could be saved by good living alone, God’s gracious work for us would be unnecessary. Works with an aim toward self-salvation are acts of self-worship. Works that are worshipful are only possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the acting out of the gospel in works of worship that James is encouraging us to do.

Observation

• Read the passage carefully. Note the practical examples James uses to illustrate the main idea of the passage, that faith apart from works is a dead faith.
• In verses 14–17, James is speaking of a faith largely based on lip service without actions that back up the professed belief. What does he call this kind of faith?
• Read verse 18–19. What does this section tell us is necessary for faith?
• Read verse 18–25. How did Abraham and Rahab demonstrate their faith? What words are used to describe them?
• In verses 24–25, James uses the word “justified” to describe Abraham and Rahab. Look up the word “justified” in a good dictionary, like the Oxford English Dictionary. What are the possible definitions?
• In verse 24, when James says “faith alone,” what type of faith is he referring to?

Interpretation

Let’s now look at the passage alongside other Scriptures as we interpret the passage through the whole of Scripture.

• Read Matthew 12:33–37. Jesus is addressing the issue of works here with Pharisees. What does he name as the source of their actions?
• Read Luke 3:7–14. What does John the Baptist instruct the people to do? How does he describe these acts in verse 8?
• Read Galatians 5:6. What does it say faith does?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3. How are the works of believers described here? What is prompting them?
• Read Hebrews 11:1–6 and Romans 14:23. What gives value to our faith?

Application

As you seek to apply this passage to your own heart and life, pray for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and insight. Our propensity is to worship ourselves, and we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to reveal where we need to turn our worship back to God.

• The English Puritan Thomas Manton said, “There are three things that encourage the soul to carry out duty: a strong principle, a mighty aid, a high aim; all these exist where faith is. The strong principle is God’s love, the mighty aid is God’s Spirit, the high aim is God’s glory.” Of the three, which do you struggle with most in carrying out your worship of God through works? How will you seek to worship God rightly in this area?
• James admonishes his hearers for their phony faith that wasn’t demonstrated in practical acts of worship. If your faith were proved merely by how you live, would your deeds more reflect worship of God or worship of self?
• When we are hindered from engaging in acts of faith that bear fruit in keeping with godliness, it is often an issue of our heart’s condition, not a lack of resources or ability. Do you depend solely on yourself to meet the needs of others instead of on God? Pray and meditate on Philippians 4:19, 1 John 3:17, and 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Ask God to show you how you might better serve him by serving others and his church.
• How have you tried to “pay God back” in response to your sin? This may take the form of bargaining with God, behavior modification, or endlessly serving at church out of guilt. Is God’s grace enough for you? Why or why not?
• Do you tend to excuse yourself from serving? Why? Is there something you can commit to doing as an act of worship, not to achieve salvation but because of it? 

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