THE DANGER OF COMPLACENCY

In the New Testament, Apostle James cautioned all Christians about the danger of faith without works. James wrote: 

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe– and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:14-20 NKJ).

Apostle James insists that the power and effectiveness of faith are in works and therefore faith without works is dead. And Yes he is right.

The Confusion

Many Bible readers and teachers have misunderstood James to be talking about how we are saved. The teachers of righteousness by grace through faith alone without works (Ephesians 2:8-9) are up in arms with the believers in righteousness by Grace through faith that works and manifests in a Christian’s obedience to the Law (Ephesians 2:10). The latter school of thought believe that we are saved by grace, through faith, unto good works—which serves as a package of how we are saved.

It is right that true-biblical faith will always be evidenced by good fruit and good works of some kind however, while good works, good fruit and obedience to the Law might serve as evidence for a regenerated person, all these works do not save anyone for eternal purposes (Isaiah 64:6; 2Corinthians 3:5).

Salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 3:16-18) and that faith is without works lest any man should boast over a contribution to their salvation (Ephesians 2:9).

The latter school of thought loves to quote Apostle James in defence of their conclusion that we are saved by grace through faith that works which a proper study of James demonstrates they are wrong to use James. Contextually; Apostle James was not discussing how we are saved as the Apostle Paul does in the Epistle to the Roman Church and another to the Galatians.

James was discussing a Christian society that ought to pay attention to the needy among them. The works he was talking about are the philanthropic deeds (James 1:26-2:1:13; Matthew 25:35; Proverbs 14:31; 1John 3:17-18; James 1:27; Hebrews 13:5) and these have nothing to do with how we are saved. While Demons believe and shudder (James 2:19) so do none believers do good works better than believers (Romans 2:14; Acts 10:1-6; Mathew 7:21-23)

It is obvious that for those who believe in Jesus Christ, the subsequent response to salvation is obedience. Those who believe in God choose to obey His commands and willingly forsake their former, sinful ways. As one submits to the Lord, their hearts are changed.

Their desires begin to mirror His desires and their deeds reflect His heart for the world. Deeds are the outer reflection of this inner transformation. However, deeds are not part of the process of our salvation but rather what happens to a regenerated heart.

The confusion about James 2 is to assume that James is discussing how we are saved and therefore works justify our faith for salvation in God and their absence affect our salvation yet Apostle James intends how we are to live whether saved or not.

Be Doers:  The Importance of Taking Action

Jack Canfield said: “there’s an enduring axiom of success that says, “The Universe rewards action, not thought.” Yet as simple as this principle seems, it’s surprising how many people get bogged down in the analyzing, planning and organizing stages when what they need to do is simply take action.

“What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.” – John Ruskin

When you take action, not only do additional resources come your way, but you get feedback that helps you adjust your course and refine your approach.

Taking action is the one thing that separates the winners from the non-winners…the haves from the have-nots…and the high achievers from the everyday people.

Perhaps you’ve already seen someone create a big win in their life, only to grumble to yourself, I could have done that. Or perhaps you’ve watched as a co-worker launched a new project that included your ideas—only to conclude that you stood by while they took action.

In James 1:22-25, we are told to be doers of the Word not just hearers of it. Later in James 2, James refers three times to faith without works being dead faith (James 2:17, 20, 26). He is right.