December 2018 Personal Letter

Dear Ministry Partner,

The verses of James 2:14–26, next in our ongoing study of the Book of James, may be the most difficult. They have caused a lot of conflict regarding faith — one conflict being how to square the teachings of James with the teachings of Paul. Don’t they disagree in their conclusions on the vital doctrine of the faith discussed here: Faith versus Works?

PAUL vs. JAMES

Before we press on, let’s clarify the difference between Paul’s teaching on faith and the one before us as James sees it. Bible critics often complain that the Bible makes contradictory statements and therefore cannot be trusted. Every serious Bible student must be versed in the truth and not be swayed.

Paul writes, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” — Romans 3:28

James states, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” — James 2:24

Paul’s statement addressed those who were denying salvation by grace through faith alone. Some of his congregation in Rome wanted to continue adding works of the Jewish law (circumcision, etc.) as necessary for salvation. That false concept is the main reason that Paul wrote to the Romans in great detail about the subjects of law, grace, justification, faith, and other points of concern in theology.

James, on the other hand, was addressing the absence of “good works” in those who claimed to be true believers in Messiah. He was not suggesting a different route to salvation, but rather that the evidence of true believing shows in believers’ works. Works of love are proof that faith is real and alive.

Verse 14 asks two questions: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

James points out in the first part of this verse that someone saying he has faith doesn’t make it a true statement. Where is the proof, James asks. He warns that people can tell you anything, but that you must put their statements to the test!

In the second part of verse 14, James asks, “Can that kind of faith save him?” [my emphasis]. James, as we will discover later, is convinced that there is a real, live faith that saves, and that there is a stone-faced faith that does nothing.

THE BROTHER OR SISTER IN NEED

The next two verses (2:15–16), provide an illustration. A person — a brother or a sister, a believer in Yeshua — is in desperate need of life’s necessities. (The term “naked” might mean stripped down to one’s “birthday suit” or lacking the undergarment that was customary in the layered robes of Biblical times.) The daily food is gone and all options are exhausted, except asking for help. The “believer” who wishes them well but doesn’t provide for the real need — food and clothing — shows that his faith is not alive.

How often does a person in need (it doesn’t have to be food and clothing) stand before us, and we could help, but we give them a strong pat on the shoulder and tell them that God loves them and will provide? The likely truth is that God sent them to us because we can help. But, instead, we miss the blessing! Being sensitive to a need and ready to help shows active, live faith.

John reiterates this lesson:

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. — 1 John 3:17–18

James addresses the certainty of an objection in verses 18 and 19:

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!

James anticipates the objection by pointing out that if you have faith, it will show; if it doesn’t show, then you don’t have it. In verse 19, he states that real faith goes beyond intellectual assent. He could be referencing the Shema at this point: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4). James challenges the objection with Scripture. Believing there is one God is wonderful. But even the demons believe … and they tremble! James asserts that the dead faith of intellectual agreement doesn’t produce action. So, faith without deeds is useless. It has no point!

TWO ILLUSTRATIONS FROM JAMES

He completes the teaching in verses 21–25 with two opposite illustrations of faith. The first uses Abraham. He was an upright, respected Jewish patriarch. Abraham “justified” (proved) his faith by offering up his son Isaac (Genesis 22). James doesn’t teach that justification depends on works and excludes faith, or that works must be added to faith. He teaches that justification is simply by faith.

The offering of Isaac was proof of the faith that Abraham had professed for many years. It was evidence that his faith was alive. In the phrase “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?” (verse 21a), the Greek verb for “justified” means “to vindicate.” Abraham showed complete obedience to God, and therefore was vindicated, declared upright, before God.

Long before Abraham offered Isaac in Genesis 22, he was shown to be righteous in Genesis 15:6. “And he [Abraham] believed in the Lord and He [the Lord] accounted it to him for righteousness.” The word translated “believed” is from the Hebrew “aman,” meaning to trust or confirm. God declared Abraham righteous because of Abraham’s faith. Abraham would later demonstrate that faith on Mount Moriah with Isaac. God’s accounting books record Abraham’s faith.

The final words of verse 23 declare how close Abraham was to God: “and he was called the friend of God.” James is referencing Isaiah 41:8, “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.”

James’s second illustration uses Rahab, a foreigner and a prostitute (2:25). Please take time to read Rahab’s full story in the second chapter of Joshua. I offer you a condensed version at this time. Rahab believed that the Israelites were chosen by God and that they would soon be successful in their conquest of Canaan. To gain their favor, she allowed two Israelite spies to enter her house, and she hid them from the king of Jericho. Even though she lied to the king, James considers hers an act of obedient faith. She had faith that the two spies would keep their agreement to spare her and her father’s house. Rahab’s faith came at great personal risk: If the spies had been found in her house, she would have been put to death.

The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 11 — sometimes called the “Faith Chapter” — mentioned Rahab and Abraham: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies in peace.”

As I noted in last month’s lesson, God is sovereign and will do as He wants with whomever He chooses.

WHAT’S YOUR POINT?

My sermon preparation classes advised us aspiring preachers to prepare our exegesis of the Bible passage in the original language, gather other commentators’ notes, bring the sermon to life with timely illustrations, and then sit back and ask the question: So what?

James adequately answers the “so what” question with his final words in verse 26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Our faith should bring glory to God and greatly benefit mankind.

P.S. Opportunities abound for each of us to live our faith. As the year-end holidays approach, look for ways to live your faith as Yeshua shows you the needs of others. Or, decide to show your faith in the Land where it all began — Israel — by joining a Zola Tour in 2019. Your Christian walk will never be the same!  

Zola Tours to the Holy Land

Our Travel Manager, Sandra, will gladly answer all tour-related questions for you. She can walk you through everything you need to join us this coming March or September. Please contact her at 214-696-9760, email her at travel@levitt.com, or visit levitt.com/tours.