Faith Versus Works

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. [JAMES 2:17] [NAS]

~Faith and Works or Faith versus Works~

Mere profession of faith accomplishes nothing. Faith is completed and attested by the actions it prompts. Faith without such actions is dead, and no one can be saved to life in Christ by a dead faith. A Christian is saved and justified before God by faith, but it is a live faith through which God accomplishes His purposes by good works.

There is no contradiction. Faith is required. Works are required. We are to work His will and obey the laws of God by our faith in Jesus Christ. Works promotes growth of godly character and provides a shining example of true Christian living.

What are some of God’s characteristics that we all need to have and use? - Some would be: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

If a person has living faith, his belief will be a conviction, and works will occur. Faith is simply, believing and doing what God says.

“Faith is a gift from God so we can produce righteous works”

James has a lot to say about faith and works. According to James they go together. If you have true faith you will have works to show that you have faith. They go hand in hand. Let James explain in the following Scriptures 2:14-26.

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

[JAMES 2:14-26] [NAS]

James was writing to those who had accepted the doctrine of justification by faith, but were not living right, telling them that such faith was no faith at all.

Brother Dewey E. Fox