Faith and deeds. James 2:14-26 Part 4



Read James 2:14-26

In today’s text, James teaches us that faith without deeds is not a genuine saving faith but rather it is a mere acceptance of the truth; without actually trusting in our Saviour Christ Jesus. True faith will change our actions as well as our thoughts and heart. If we are unchanged by our faith, and how we treat others doesn’t change, then we are simply acknowledging the truth, that God is the one and only God. In Matthew 7:26 Jesus says, “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” What good is acknowledging the truth if you don’t act upon it? Wisdom is taking knowledge and putting it into practice. This isn’t the first time James has made this point. Our text is an expansion on his words in James 1:22, where he wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

James follows this with an example in verses 15-16, reflecting the teaching of Christ in Matthew 25. In that passage Jesus talks about what Christians have done for those around them, and how those who do nothing to help others will not be saved. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” We must show our faith in how we treat others. We can take this one step further and say that faith without love is not true faith. 1 John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” John the Baptist also spoke about this in Luke 3:11 where he says, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one with food should do the same.” Our example in verse 15-16 demonstrates a false faith verses a faith in action.

In verse 18, James argues against those who might say, “You have faith, I have deeds.” There were people who believed that you could have faith or deeds, completely independent of each other. James denies this possibility and goes on to explain why faith without works is not a true faith. You can’t have one or the other, you need both. In verse 19 he writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” Even the demons know there is only one God. Just knowing this truth doesn’t bring salvation. What good is knowledge if it doesn’t lead to action and a changed life?

In verse 21 James refers to Abraham being considered righteous because of his actions. This is because genuine faith is evident in righteous acts. Faith that saves produces action. You can read about this in Genesis 22, where Abraham demonstrated his faith in trusting his son’s life, and his future, to God. Paul also wrote about this type of faith in Galatians 5:6 where it says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

James is saying that simply knowing the truth about God is not enough. When he uses the word faith versus faith he’s speaking of intellectual knowledge of the truth versus genuine faith. We are justified and saved by faith alone, but genuine faith results in active obedience. James is not saying that works can save us, but rather, as Martin Luther put it, “Man is justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.” Only Christ can save us, but true faith will produce good works. Faith without deeds is dead. This point is so important that James repeats it at least three times in our passage.

So, live out your faith in all you do. Actions speak louder than words. Show love to those around you, share the gifts God has given you, and take care of those in need, for “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26). Do not come to judgement day and be one of the ones to whom Christ will say, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:45). As it says in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.”


1. How many times in our passage can you find the point that faith without deeds is dead? Why do you think James repeated this so many times?

2. Why is faith without deeds a dead faith?

3. Read Genesis 22. How is Abraham’s faith shown in this passage? Consider the decisions he made and ask yourself if you’d be willing to do the same?

4. What sort of things could you do to act out your faith?


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