The Relationship Between Faith and Works in James 2:14-26
James 2:14-26
James 2:14-26
(James 2:14-26)
(James 2:14-26)
Week 6: Walk that Walk
Week 6: Walk that Walk
The Big Idea
The Big Idea
James 2:14 –
James 2:14 –
“What use is it brethren,
“What use is it brethren,
if someone says he has faith, but he
if someone says he has faith, but he
has no works.”
has no works.”
Addressing a problem James saw in
Addressing a problem James saw in
believers within the church: No evidence
believers within the church: No evidence
of true and genuine faith in their lives!
of true and genuine faith in their lives!
:17 –
:17 –
Even so faith, if it has no works, is
Even so faith, if it has no works, is
dead, being by itself
dead, being by itself
What is Faith
What is Faith
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
– Now faith is the assurance of things
– Now faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6
– And without faith it is impossible to
– And without faith it is impossible to
please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.
He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.
Characteristics of Genuine Faith
Characteristics of Genuine Faith
Belief in God
Belief in God
Trust in God
Trust in God
Obedience to God
Obedience to God
Endurance
Endurance
Evidence of Faith
Evidence of Faith
James 2:14
James 2:14
–
–
What use is it, my brethren, if someone
What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works?
says he has faith but he has no works?
WORKS
WORKS
= Actions taken
= Actions taken
BECAUSE
BECAUSE
of one’s faith that demonstrate
of one’s faith that demonstrate
an authentic faith.
an authentic faith.
Works are not
Works are not
ADDED
ADDED
to faith; a genuine faith
to faith; a genuine faith
INCLUDES
INCLUDES
works.
works.
James states that faith without works…
James states that faith without works…
…is of no use (vs. 14,16)
…is of no use (vs. 14,16)
…does not save (vs. 14)
…does not save (vs. 14)
…is dead! (vs. 17)
…is dead! (vs. 17)
Do Paul and James Contradict?
Do Paul and James Contradict?
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved
For it is by grace you have been saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Works are not bad – they just can’t save you!
Works are not bad – they just can’t save you!
Paul’s Focus:
Paul’s Focus:
Gentile believers being influenced by Judaizers (Jews who
Gentile believers being influenced by Judaizers (Jews who
has converted to Christianity) telling them they had to keep the OT law
has converted to Christianity) telling them they had to keep the OT law
to be justified.
to be justified.
WORKS TO KEEP THE LAW – TO BE JUSTIFIED
WORKS TO KEEP THE LAW – TO BE JUSTIFIED
James’ Focus:
James’ Focus:
Believers not displaying the characteristics of genuine
Believers not displaying the characteristics of genuine
faith by not keeping the moral law of Christ (love your neighbor as
faith by not keeping the moral law of Christ (love your neighbor as
yourself).
yourself).
WORKS AS EVIDENCE OF TRUE FAITH
WORKS AS EVIDENCE OF TRUE FAITH
True Faith & Works Inseparable
True Faith & Works Inseparable
:20-24 – Actions of faithful people
:20-24 – Actions of faithful people
- Believed what God said
- Believed what God said
- Abraham – sacrificing Isaac
- Abraham – sacrificing Isaac
A supreme act of obedience carried out in
A supreme act of obedience carried out in
faith.
faith.
Genuine faith results in actions/works
Genuine faith results in actions/works
:24 –
:24 –
So you see, we are shown to be right with
So you see, we are shown to be right with
God by what we do, not by faith alone
God by what we do, not by faith alone
(New Living
(New Living
Translation)
Translation)
Works DO NOT justify us… however they MUST be evident
Works DO NOT justify us… however they MUST be evident
in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
Belief
Belief
Trust
Trust
Works
Works
Endurance
Endurance
Genuine Faith
Genuine Faith
1 Corinthians 13:5
1 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is
genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know
genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know
that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you
that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you
have failed the test of genuine faith.
have failed the test of genuine faith.
New Living Translation
New Living Translation
What if Our Faith was on Trial?
What if Our Faith was on Trial?
- Believe in God
- Believe in God
Works DO NOT justify us… however they MUST be
Works DO NOT justify us… however they MUST be
evident in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
evident in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will
Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
does the will of my father who is in heaven.
does the will of my father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that date, Lord, Lord,
Many will say to me on that date, Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in your name and in
did we not prophesy in your name and in
your name cast out demons, and in your
your name cast out demons, and in your
name performed many miracles? And then I
name performed many miracles? And then I
will declare to them, I never knew you,
will declare to them, I never knew you,
depart from me you who practice
depart from me you who practice
lawlessness.
lawlessness.
The problem was not their good works…
The problem was not their good works…
The problem was their good works did
The problem was their good works did
not flow out of a genuine faith but
not flow out of a genuine faith but
rather out of a works-based belief
rather out of a works-based belief
system that by-passed grace and faith.
system that by-passed grace and faith.
John 14:10b-12
John 14:10b-12
The words that I say to you I do not speak on
The words that I say to you I do not speak on
My own initiative, but the Father abiding in
My own initiative, but the Father abiding in
Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in
Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in
the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise
the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise
believe because of the works themselves.
believe because of the works themselves.
Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in
Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in
Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and
Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and
greater works than these he will do; because
greater works than these he will do; because
I go to the Father.
I go to the Father.
Exploring the key concepts of faith and works as discussed in James 2:14-26, this content delves into the importance of genuine faith evidenced by one's actions. It addresses the contrast between faith with works (living and genuine) and faith without works (dead), emphasizing the inseparable connection between true faith and the actions it produces.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Week 6: Walk that Walk (James 2:14-26)
The Big Idea James 2:14 What use is it brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works. Addressing a problem James saw in believers within the church: No evidence of true and genuine faith in their lives! :17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself Two Types of Faith One with works (living and genuine) One without works (dead)
What is Faith Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him. Characteristics of Genuine Faith Belief in God Trust in God Obedience to God Endurance
Evidence of Faith James 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? WORKS = Actions taken BECAUSE of one s faith that demonstrate an authentic faith. Works are not ADDED to faith; a genuine faith INCLUDES works. James states that faith without works is of no use (vs. 14,16) does not save (vs. 14) is dead! (vs. 17)
Do Paul and James Contradict? Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Works are not bad they just can t save you! Paul s Focus: Gentile believers being influenced by Judaizers (Jews who has converted to Christianity) telling them they had to keep the OT law to be justified. WORKS TO KEEP THE LAW TO BE JUSTIFIED James Focus: Believers not displaying the characteristics of genuine faith by not keeping the moral law of Christ (love your neighbor as yourself). WORKS AS EVIDENCE OF TRUE FAITH
True Faith & Works Inseparable :20-24 Actions of faithful people - Believed what God said - Abraham sacrificing Isaac A supreme act of obedience carried out in faith. Genuine faith results in actions/works :24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone (New Living Translation) Works DO NOT justify us however they MUST be evident in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
FAITH Works Belief Endurance Genuine Faith Trust Belief Trust Works Endurance
1 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. New Living Translation
What if Our Faith was on Trial? - Believe in God Works DO NOT justify us however they MUST be evident in the life of a believer who has genuine faith.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that date, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name cast out demons, and in your name performed many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from me you who practice lawlessness. The problem was not their good works The problem was their good works did not flow out of a genuine faith but rather out of a works-based belief system that by-passed grace and faith.
John 14:10b-12 The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
