THEMES FROM SELECTED EPISTLES (a) Outline James' argument on faith without works is dead. (b) Indicate three benefits of faith to a Christian.

Answer Details

(a) James' argument that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26)

James asked what good it is if a man says he has faith but does not have works. Can that faith save him? He gave a practical example: if a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of them says, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? In the same way, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

He anticipated an objection: "You have faith and I have works." James replied, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." He pointed out that even the demons believe that God is one, and shudder, yet such belief does not save them. Faith that produces no obedience is therefore useless.

He supported his argument with two examples from Scripture. Abraham our father was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar; his faith was active along with his works, and by works his faith was completed, so that he was called the friend of God. Likewise Rahab the harlot was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way. James concluded that as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. True, living faith must express itself in good deeds and obedience.

(b) Three benefits of faith to a Christian

• Faith brings salvation and justification. Through faith in Christ a believer is saved and made right with God.
• Faith gives strength, courage and victory over trials. It sustains the believer in temptation and difficulty and produces steadfastness and endurance.
• Faith produces good works and pleases God. It moves the Christian to obey God, love others and do good, drawing him closer to God as a friend, as Abraham was.