(a) Highlight James' teaching on faith and works.[11 marks]. (b) What two lessons can Christians learn from this teaching? [4 marks].

Answer Details

(a) James' teaching on faith and works (James 2:14-26):

• James asks, "What good is it if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can that faith save him?"
• He gives an illustration: if a brother or sister is ill-clad and lacking daily food, and one says, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them what they need, such words profit nothing.
• He concludes, "Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead."
• He anticipates an objection: one may say, "You have faith and I have works." James replies, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith."
• Even the demons believe that God is one, and they shudder; mere belief is not saving faith.
• The example of Abraham: he 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. Thus the scripture was fulfilled, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.
• The example of Rahab the harlot: she was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way.
• James concludes, "As the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead." Genuine faith must express itself in action.

(b) Two lessons Christians can learn:

• True faith must be practical and active, demonstrated through good deeds and acts of charity, not mere profession.
• Faith and works are inseparable; a believer proves the reality of his faith by obedience and service to others.