Faith, if it hath not works, is dead

Today’s reading challenges us as to the reality of our faith. Is it a faith that saves or is it a dead faith? True, it is faith alone that saves, Eph. 2. 8, but our faith must be more than mere profession. Indeed, it is possible for us to believe great truths, e. g., ‘there is one God’, Jas. 2. 19, and yet for our faith to be dead. Even demons believe this, but they are not saved. It is not words, but actions that prove our faith is genuine. Good works will always accompany saving faith. Are we able to say, ‘I will shew thee my faith by my works’, v. 18?Just as‘the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also’, v. 26.

Two contrasting Old Testament characters bring home the challenge to our hearts. It was ‘when he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar’, v. 21, that Abraham witnessed to the reality of his initial faith in God. It had already been said of him, ‘He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness’, Gen. 15. 6; however, his faith was ‘made perfect (complete)’, Jas. 2. 22, by his works. Similarly, Rahab’s faith, Josh. 2. 8-11, was seen to be genuine, ‘when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way’, Jas. 2. 25.

Are we aware of brethren and sisters who have need of the basic necessities of life, v. 15? If we are, and yet offer them only words of concern, v. 16, we prove that our faith is dead. A living faith will recognize that words alone will not suffice, but works that alleviate the suffering must accompany them.

Do we show acts of favouritism based upon people’s wealth and social status, vv. 2, 3? If we do, we cast doubt upon the genuineness of the faith that we say we have in ‘our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory’, v. 1. He did not show favouritism towards the rich at the expense of the poor. Such behaviour is serious, because it is contrary to God’s choice in salvation, v. 5, glorifies the oppressors, vv. 6, 7, transgresses God’s royal law of love, vv. 8, 9, and ignores the fact that we shall be judged by that same law that gives us freedom, but not licence to do as we please, v. 12. Showing mercy to others is proof that we have a living faith and enables us to face the judgement seat of Christ with confidence, v. 13.