Faith with Works

Faith with Works
Jam 2:14-20 NLT - [14] Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. [15] Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, [16] and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? [17] So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless. [18] Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds." [19] Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! [20] Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?

What does Saint James mean when he speaks of faith and works? It is an age-old question that has sparked debate over many ages. Is it enough to have faith, or must we prove our faith through works? This is naturally troubling to many Christians, given that we are taught that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2.8-9, NIV). The issue here, though perhaps seemingly academic and unrelated to our everyday lives, actually contains a solution which is vitally important to our daily lives.

Let us consider what James says: "it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless." Faith without works is dead not because it once lived, but because it never existed in the first place. James explains this when he says that he "will show you [his] faith through [his] good deeds." Faith, then, is like a light that shines itself through a glass window. The light itself exists, but it manifests itself through its shining down on the building. Faith, then, serves a purpose. It is both a verb and a noun. As a noun it is known as faith, but as a verb it is called works. The man who proposes otherwise is as naive as the sort of man who tries to argue four quarters and a dollar are not at all the same. He may be technically correct in his assertion that the two are different, for one is made of paper and the other of zinc, but the two are functionally the same.

Now, what is the significance of works? It is a natural display of our faith. If Christ indeed lives within us, He will also live without us. What I mean to say is that He radiates through us, like the infectious smile of a young lover or an innocent child. What radiates is called works. As Saint James says, works would not merely proclaim "good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well," but then do nothing for the person on whom we are pronouncing blessings. Rather, it takes the "brother or sister who needs food or clothing" and gives him food and clothing." Christ's compassion flows through us, for He is indeed living within us. It is often said that the Church is losing its relevance, for the sort of goodness it once gave to the world is now administered through government ministries and non-profit groups. I say that the mission of the Church is more vital than ever, for it is not the mere physical bodies which we are trying to save, but the soul of the whole person. A Christian who concerns himself with these matters obviously demonstrates faith by his works. His works are evidence that he is, in fact, living his life through the Holy Spirit.

Consider today whether your faith is being demonstrated. Like a dusty window, our faith can grow dim. The windows must be cleaned for light to come through. Let us examine ourselves. Are we doing things which please Christ? Is our faith evident to others? How will others see the Gospel if they do not see us living it out day by day? Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich