Faith Without Deeds is Dead

Dear Diary,

The life Changing Gospel according to James 2:14-26

#Faith_Must_be_Attended_by_Action

Wait a minute, is James for justification by works? Is he contradicting Paul’s doctrine of Justification by faith alone, Eph. 2:8-10? Not at all! In the preceding passage we learned that listening/reading God’s word must be blended with doing. The section concludes with a warning and an exhortation that we are going to be judged as believers, James 12-13 (at the judgment seat of Christ, 2 Cor 5:10). The standard of judgment will be on the basis of the royal law of love, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” Jam. 2:8. Judgment without mercy will be the lot of those who did not show mercy (remember what James has in mind at the beginning of chapter 2, a poor man who instead of receiving mercy from the believers, received cruel discrimination), v. 13. The question James poses is this, “What good/advantage/help is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? v.14. The saving faith Paul talks about is doctrinal while the faith James is addressing is practical.

Stating the proposition, “Faith without action is dead,” v. 17

James proposition is hypothetical and interrogative, “What good is it, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?” v. 14. Certainly, genuine faith affects the believer’s lifestyle. Speaking your faith without doing your faith cannot meet practical needs as illustrated by a naked and hungry brother and/or sister, v. 15. Only faith clothed in deeds can meet those needs, v.16-17.

In support of the proposition, “Faith without deeds is dead,” v. 18-26

First, faith is invisible but it can be felt and seen through its good fruit/deeds like meeting the practical needs of a brother or sister who is in dire need of raiment and food. “Faith, not accompanied by good deeds is dead,” v.17. Mere profession of faith proves nothing but action demonstrates the genuineness of your faith, v. 18. Second, saving faith expresses itself outwardly in a changed life, v.19. It’s not enough to believe the Shema creed (that there’s only One God, Deut 6:4), even demons do and in fact, they shudder. How about you and I? Third, “Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is dead?” v. 20. As evidenced in reference to Abraham and Rahab, genuine faith moves people to act in obedience to God, v. 21-25.  Fourth, “The body without the spirit is nothing but a corpse,” v. 26. Undoubtedly, if there are no deeds springing from faith, that faith is dead and useless.

You see, the issue of faith and works is a thorny one and many people think that Paul and James contradicted each other but if you look intently into Paul’s teaching about Faith in relation to work, you will discover that Apostle Paul was combating a legalism mentality that held that a person may earn justification before God by his good deeds while James was combating an insincere faith that had no wholesome effect in the life of the believer acknowledging to have faith.

In conclusion, as a true believer it is important to know that your saving faith is invisible to people but it can be seen, touched and felt through good deeds. Faith and deed are inseparable. Remember, true religion is the kind that meets practical needs of people. However, good deeds are not means to salvation; faith is not an intellectual or emotional response. Indeed, it is not enough to speak faith; it must be accompanied by good deeds. Evidently, good deeds are by-product of genuine faith.  

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae