Faith without works is dead
"Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
James 2:17
An important aspect to be considered when looking at this particular passage, is to understand why James chose to use the term 'dead' to describe faith that is not working. James is concerned with an issue of life or death. Can a faith that is dead save a Christian from death? The question answers itself. Verses 15 and 16 tell the story of an ungenerous believer and how his empty words cannot save his brother from death when there is no provision of life's bare necessities. In the same way, a non-working faith cannot save our lives from the death-dealing consequences of sin.
I think it is good to recognize that the term 'dead' can refer to more than just the death/life terminology used to describe salvation from hell. The English language uses it in many different ways (i.e. "you're dead wrong", "he's dead drunk", "he's dead meat", "that idea is dead", etc.). Paul, in the book of Romans (written in Greek) calls Abraham's body dead while it was still alive and he attributed "deadness" to Sarah's barren womb (Romans 4:19). A Christian's body, in which the Spirit dwells, can be described as dead although the Christian himself is regenerated (Romans 8:10). Paul's usage of the term can be quite broad. In recognizing this whole idea, I think it is near impossible to say (dogmatically at least) that "dead faith" can have only one meaning and that being a soteriological one.
I feel James is describing a faith that is sterile, ineffective and/or unproductive. Context and closer study into other instances in the book of James would beg the argument that he is speaking of the faith that the Christian has and not the faith of the sinner, which first brought him to God. James wanted to admonish and exhort the believers to practive their faith by works.
Say that a sinner hears the gospel message of Christ's free gift of salvation through His dying on the cross for the sins of all men. Say he recognized his need of a savior and he is saved from the consequences of his own sin, placing his faith in Christ. At that moment, this man is justified before God. He is clean in the eyes of the Father. Now say that at this time, this man turns from God and pursues the 'lusts of the flesh' for the remaining duration of his life. Would this man enter into heaven even though the majority of his life was characterized by self-centered 'bad works' all the way up to his dying day?
I am always wary to question a man on whether his belief was genuine and whether or not he received salvation because we cannot read the hearts of men. God knows their hearts and He knows the names of those who are saved. Their names are added to the book of life and more are being added every day. They are added and never subtracted. The Bible states clearly in many passages, that it is by faith and faith alone that a man is saved (1 John 5:9-11). Not by faith plus works or a continuation of works throughout their life.
So in effect, James is saying that healthy faith; a faith of true, strong vitality, will produce good works. But ut is not by these good works that a man is saved, it is not by these good works taht a man proves that he is saved, and a man can be saved yet live life with the absence of good works. Even as we are saved, we have the potential to live in sin. Is this a healthy faith? It is by no means a healthy faith. Through works, faith is made mature.
Let us hold together in unity, as we are, those of the body of Christ. Paul, to the Philippians: "Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." Philippians 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Thank you for graciously giving me the opportunity to share some thoughts.
By His grace, Kyle
James 2:17
An important aspect to be considered when looking at this particular passage, is to understand why James chose to use the term 'dead' to describe faith that is not working. James is concerned with an issue of life or death. Can a faith that is dead save a Christian from death? The question answers itself. Verses 15 and 16 tell the story of an ungenerous believer and how his empty words cannot save his brother from death when there is no provision of life's bare necessities. In the same way, a non-working faith cannot save our lives from the death-dealing consequences of sin.
I think it is good to recognize that the term 'dead' can refer to more than just the death/life terminology used to describe salvation from hell. The English language uses it in many different ways (i.e. "you're dead wrong", "he's dead drunk", "he's dead meat", "that idea is dead", etc.). Paul, in the book of Romans (written in Greek) calls Abraham's body dead while it was still alive and he attributed "deadness" to Sarah's barren womb (Romans 4:19). A Christian's body, in which the Spirit dwells, can be described as dead although the Christian himself is regenerated (Romans 8:10). Paul's usage of the term can be quite broad. In recognizing this whole idea, I think it is near impossible to say (dogmatically at least) that "dead faith" can have only one meaning and that being a soteriological one.
I feel James is describing a faith that is sterile, ineffective and/or unproductive. Context and closer study into other instances in the book of James would beg the argument that he is speaking of the faith that the Christian has and not the faith of the sinner, which first brought him to God. James wanted to admonish and exhort the believers to practive their faith by works.
Say that a sinner hears the gospel message of Christ's free gift of salvation through His dying on the cross for the sins of all men. Say he recognized his need of a savior and he is saved from the consequences of his own sin, placing his faith in Christ. At that moment, this man is justified before God. He is clean in the eyes of the Father. Now say that at this time, this man turns from God and pursues the 'lusts of the flesh' for the remaining duration of his life. Would this man enter into heaven even though the majority of his life was characterized by self-centered 'bad works' all the way up to his dying day?
I am always wary to question a man on whether his belief was genuine and whether or not he received salvation because we cannot read the hearts of men. God knows their hearts and He knows the names of those who are saved. Their names are added to the book of life and more are being added every day. They are added and never subtracted. The Bible states clearly in many passages, that it is by faith and faith alone that a man is saved (1 John 5:9-11). Not by faith plus works or a continuation of works throughout their life.
So in effect, James is saying that healthy faith; a faith of true, strong vitality, will produce good works. But ut is not by these good works that a man is saved, it is not by these good works taht a man proves that he is saved, and a man can be saved yet live life with the absence of good works. Even as we are saved, we have the potential to live in sin. Is this a healthy faith? It is by no means a healthy faith. Through works, faith is made mature.
Let us hold together in unity, as we are, those of the body of Christ. Paul, to the Philippians: "Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." Philippians 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Thank you for graciously giving me the opportunity to share some thoughts.
By His grace, Kyle
