Subject Without works (James 2:14-26)
An important fact is found in the text of James chapter 2. Interpretation of action. The works James refers to are different from the works Paul condemns. When Paul speaks critically of works, he refers to the human act of seeking salvation. But the works that James speaks of are acts to prove faith. In other words, if Paul spoke of the root of faith, James was talking about the fruit of faith. James points to faith without works that have no effect. Verse 22. “Behold, faith worked with his works, and by works faith was made perfect”. It is said that the way that faith is perfected is when it works with works.
Harvey Cox criticizes that "we live in a world where the gospel is nullified by Christians," which means that Christians fail to show their faith to the world because they are inferior to unbelievers through actions inconsistent with the Word. The meaning of the gospel is gradually fading because of Christians who act inconsistent with their faith, so we must live by faith with works.
We all praise 'I have decided to live according to the Lord's will'. "I decided to live according to the Lord's will I decided to live according to the Lord's will I decided to live the Lord's will I will not turn back Look at the cross, turn your back on the world, look at the cross, and I will not turn back." If our faith does not have works,
First of all, what is the benefit?
Russian writer Leo Tolstoy was walking down the street when a beggar appeared and held out his hand. When I put my hand in my pocket, there was not a penny in it. Tolstoy squeezes the beggar's hand and whispers. "I'm sorry, brother. I don't think I have a dime. I'm really sorry." Then the beggar smiles and tells Tolstoy. "I received something far more valuable than money. The teacher called me brother. And I felt the warm love in your hand." What is more valuable than a penny is love in action. When faith is also shown through works, it will bring about the work of benefits.
Verses 15 and 16 of the text. “If a brother or sister is naked and has no daily bread, of what profit is it if any of you say to him, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and be satisfied, and do not give him food for his body?’” There was a man who was admired for his faith, but a hungry man asked for help. But he did nothing, saying, 'Go in peace, keep warm, and be full'. If so, is he a beneficiary of the person asking for help? Isn't it? What the naked and starving people need is not words, but action to feed them a pair of clothes and a meal. Therefore, if there are no works, no matter how great faith you have, it is of no use. It is just a useless belief.
In Luke 10, we find the parable of the good Samaritan. A Jewish man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, where he was met by robbers, and was beaten to death. A priest and a Levite were passing by and found a Jew. But instead of helping, they run away and go the other way. Basically, they are people who serve God. These are people who prided themselves on having godly faith more than anyone else. But since God has turned away from the poor in the sight of God, is their faith without deeds correct? If it is a faith that does not benefit anyone, you must know that it is a faith that is not recognized by God. Therefore, I hope that it will be a faith that can benefit anyone through faith with works.
Second, what salvation is there?
This is verse 14 of the text. "My brethren, what profit is it if a man says he has faith but has no works, and can his faith save him?" It should be noted that James did not say "can faith save you" here, but "that faith". 'That faith' is not a general belief, but an imperfect faith that claims to have faith but does not manifest itself through works.
Faith that leads to salvation has works in it. The word 'together' in verse 22 means 'together'. Faith means being with works. Therefore, you can tell whether his faith is real or dead by looking at his actions. Even if you have been saved, if your deeds do not change, then you have nothing to do with salvation. Even though you have been saved, if you prefer to remain in sin, still look at the world, and do not have the heart to please God, that faith is dead. Faith that leads to salvation can be known by which side you stand on. If a person who used to be on the side of the devil and did the devil's work, stands on God's side and is in a position to please God, then he has the faith that has been saved. Salvation comes through faith, but faith that is saved must be manifested through works. Therefore, through living faith with works, I hope that you too will be saved and become a person of faith who will save many people.
Third, what is the reward?
A certain butler went to heaven. According to the Bible, the gates of heaven were made of pearls. But the door is closed. He knocked with all his might, and the door opened and Peter appeared. "Hello. I'm the butler. Please allow me to enter heaven." Then Peter says: "You must have a token to enter Heaven. Do you have it?" No matter how much I search, I can't find any proof. So I'm sorry. "I can't even find a token. But, for decades, I've been attending church. Please let me in." Peter says firmly. "It can't be without a sign. Without any act of faith, you only walked on the church yard, so what kind of sign is there? Stop and go back," and closes the gates of heaven. When I woke up, it was a dream. From then on, he became not a deacon in name only, but a faithful servant acting by faith. Faith without works has no reward. God blesses those who prove their faith through works.
This is verse 23. “Then the scriptures were fulfilled, that Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.” God justified Abraham, who proved his faith through works, and established him as God's friend. Friendship means that God has treated you on an equal footing. Even now, God blesses people of faith who have works and gives them rewards. You make friends. On the other hand, he warns that if there is no action, it is no different from the faith of demons. Even demons believe in God. But no matter how much you believe, demons do not work for God. It means that anyone can become an angel or a demon depending on whether they testify of faith by their works. Therefore, I hope that you will be rewarded in the sight of God through faith with works.
Biblical scholar William Barclay said: "Many people came to church not because they were persuaded by theories of faith, but because they saw the love of Christians. And the reason many people left the church was not because they couldn't believe the Bible, but because of the unkindness of the members. Because I saw you ugly." In Barclay's words, we see how important faith in works is. The problem is that our ignorance does not mean that we do not have deeds. The reason that works do not follow faith even though you know it is because your faith is not perfect. Perfect faith always requires works. Please be a person of perfect faith with works. Therefore, I pray in the name of the Lord that all the blessed saints who will be accepted by God will become faith that benefits everyone, faith that causes the work of salvation everywhere, and works that receive a reward in any event.