LESSON #5

Dead Faith

James 2:14-20

Did you know that there is a faith that does not save? Jesus said, (Mat 7:21) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Not everyone who professes Christ is really a Christian! Paul called upon the people in the church at Corinth to "Examine themselves whether ye be in the faith" (II Cor. 13:5) and Peter wrote that you should "make your calling and election sure" (make sure you are saved) (II Peter 1:10). The Book of Acts gives us a vivid example of a man who professed faith in Christ, was baptized, but was not saved. Let's take the time to read the account in Acts 8:13-23.  

James is concerned that his readers be genuinely saved. In the second half of chapter 2, he gives a detailed explanation about the difference between dead and living faith. How do you distinguish between the two? Saving faith can only be revealed by works. Dead faith is as fruitless as a dead tree. Living faith is "fruitful unto every good work" (Col. 1:10). Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." The light that shines from a believer's life is the light of good works. Mat. 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 

Some Bible students have questioned whether James is contradicting Paul's teachings on salvation by grace through faith alone. James questions the man who says that he has faith but has no works (v. 14). Can his faith save him? James says "that by works a man is justified and not by faith alone" (v. 24). On the other hand, Paul wrote (Rom 3:28) "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Gal 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Eph 2:8-9) " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." These two men do not contradict each other. They do not stand face to face fighting each other, but back to back fighting different enemies.

 The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith alone, but saving faith is never alone. "For in Jesus Christ ... availeth ... faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6). Faith is the root of salvation; works are the fruit of salvation. We do not have a salvation of works but we do have a salvation that works. It is possible that some believers to whom James writes (then and know) reason that since good works cannot produce salvation they are unnecessary altogether. Some think that you can believe the gospel without ever obeying God's word, without a transformed life, without any outward evidence of inward salvation. But this is not true faith. It is, in James words "dead faith" (James 2:17,20, 26). James is concerned that we not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are saved. "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22).

In this passage, James gives three characteristics of dead faith.

An Empty Confession, 2:14.

Is it possible to make a false profession of faith? Is it possible to claim you are saved and not be? James indicates in this verse that even though a person may profess faith in God, his claim is empty if it isn't backed up with works (actsof obedience). It is possible to defend your faith without demonstrating your faith. Look carefully at the product of your life. What you see on the outside indicates what you are on the inside. This does not mean that a saved person is ever able in this life to achieve sinless perfection. Nor does it mean that it is impossible for a true believer to backslide, for a child of God to be out of fellowship with his heavenly Father. A new Christian will not fully understand all the implications of turning from sin to serve Christ; that's an ever-increasing awareness, even in the life of a mature believer. But every genuinely saved person is a new creation in whom the Holy Spirit is producing Christlike character and behavior. An empty confession, a claim of the lips without any evidence in the life, indicates dead faith.

A False Compassion, 2:15-17.

James likes to illustrate. His epistle is filled with good and practical illustration. In these verses, he paints a vivid picture for us to see. It concerns a "brother or a sister" - a family member, perhaps in your earthly family but probably referring to the family of God - a brother or sister in Christ. This person is in extreme and obvious need. He is "naked and destitute of daily food." The two most basic needs for physical survival are food and clothing. The Christian is commanded to be content if he has these two basic needs met, I Timothy 6:8. But James describes a person who does not have these needs met. He is naked (not literally, but without adequate clothing) and destitute of daily food (literally starving to death). But if you respond to such a person only with words, "Go! I wish you well! Keep warm and be filled! God bless you! Hope everything turns out all right!" You have only false compassion. You are saying but not doing. 1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (Read also the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-41, 46). True faith is demonstrated by true compassion. Dead faith has a false compassion. In like manner, says James in verse 17, "faith without works is dead, because it is alone." And saving faith is never alone!

A Shallow Conviction, 2:18-20.

"Shew (the word means exhibit, demonstrate, put on display) me your faith without works" (v. 18). The point is that it can't be done. The only way to demonstrate true faith is through righteous deeds. We put on display our faith by our works. Someone may say strongly, "I believe in God." In the days of James, Jews were strictly and uniquely monotheistic (believing in one and only one God). A Jew may say, "I believe there is only one God." James is rather sarcastic with his answer to such a statement in verse 19. "Good for you. So what! Big deal! The demons also believe and tremble." Are they saved? There isn't a demon who is an atheist. All of them are also monotheists. According to Mark 3:11-12 and Matthew 8:29 the demons recognize the deity of Christ, that he is indeed the Son of God. According to Luke 8:31, the demons know there is a place of eternal punishment (the Greek word for "the deep" is translated "the bottomless pit" nine other times in the New Testament). The demons accept the facts intellectually and even react emotionally ("they tremble") but they are not saved. How do we know? Because they will not repent and obey God. Their conviction is shallow, it does not change them in any way.

 True faith goes beyond one's intellect and emotions. It is more than just knowing and affirming a set of doctrines. It is more than getting special "feelings" about God and yourself. Such "faith" is not real faith at all. It is not saving faith. According to verse 20, it is dead faith because it is without works.

 James is confronting his readers with a frightening reality: that it is possible to go through the motions of Christianity and still be eternally lost. Such is the nature of dead faith. According to James, true faith will be evidenced by righteous deeds, not by empty claims.

 In the next study, James will show us the contrast of dynamic faith.