Element Christian Church
James 2:14-26
Faith and Works
James makes us ask ourselves hard questions about whether we truly believe what we say we believe; the book is a great look at whether we are truly followers of Christ. At the end of most of these weeks in James there is supposed to be introspective thinking; asking if we truly belong to Jesus or not. James does his best to show us the reality of what it means to trust and follow Jesus.
James 2:14 ESV
James 2:15-17 ESV
James 2:18-19 ESV
James 2:20-26 ESV
James 2:26 ESV
The verses today are not meant to say that we are saved by our works. Instead James is going to say that while faith alone saves us, it is a certain kind of faith. He tells us that a real faith produces works, the works do not save us, but a faith that does not produce works is a faith that deceives and will not lead us into the fullness of life with our Father. Faith without works is a dead faith; meaning: it is no faith at all.
Faith means trust. We trust God for who He is, what He has said, and what He has done in Jesus. If we do not trust God in ways that seek to listen to Him and obey Him (even imperfectly), faith is not there. When James talks about the law he speaks of the “royal law,” he is talking about love and what that looks like from Christ’s perspective. Works, from James’ perspective, would be defined as “a life of loving God and loving others.”
James uses two examples of faith: Abraham and Rahab.
• Abraham revealed that he trusted God by walking through an impossible task and situation. He was ready to be fully obedient to God, trusting that God is able.
• Rahab, who was a prostitute in Jericho, trusted God enough to hide His people because she understood salvation was coming. She had a small faith that this God would usher in a new beginning.
James wants us to examine ourselves because faith without works is useless and ineffective. What God is doing in James is inviting all of us into the richest, most full life imaginable
Community Discussion
Read James 2:14-26.
• What things do you naturally put faith in without thinking about it?
• How do you show it?
• What is a kindness you have shown someone else?
• What is the kindest thing someone’s ever done for you?
• When did you feel like you were in a time of great need?
• Based on this message, explain the relationship among grace, faith, works, and the law.
• What does a faith without works say about that faith?
• What’s the problem with works without faith?
• What does your life say about your faith?
• How is faith different from mere belief?
• How is faith different from intellectual assent (good theology)?
• How are you specifically being called to love God and/or love others right now?
• Have you ever pursued God because you understood how He first loved and pursued you?
• How does our returning love for God change how we love others?
• What does a real faith “look” like?