Faith and Works: A Message from James

The epistle of James was written to the Diaspora, “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (James 1:1). In this way, the apostle implies a more Jewish stance towards the letter written to the believers. One can make this connection due to Old Testament references and Jewish metaphors in the epistle (Elwell and Yarbrough 2013, 336). The scattered Jewish Christians would have found great comfort and encouragement in response to James’s letter since the epistle itself exhorts them to stand fast in their trials and continue living faithful Christian lives.

The central issue James addresses is the importance of right living rather than only right believing. In his epistle, the apostle states, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead…Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18). The epistle is said to be a clarification of a misunderstanding in Paul’s writings that there can be “a work-less faith” (Stacy). Paul repeatedly says that believers are justified by faith alone and not works (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16).

James writes to admonish the believers to possess and act in faith. The book of James, therefore, complements the writings of Paul. For example, Paul writes that believers are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). However, one cannot be an ambassador without the proper action to back up the fact that they belong to Christ. This action is what James emphasizes by making the profound statement that faith without works is dead, inoperative, and ineffective (James 2:17, AMP).

James gives his first example of right living by faith when he provides a striking scenario. A believer sees a brother or sister suffering and says, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled;” however, the believer does not supply what the brother or sister needs (James 2:15-16). A Christian cannot merely have faith but must show faith by corresponding action.

If Christians are to impact the world, they are to possess both faith and works. A believer can confess to believe in God all his or her life. James says this is good, but “even the demons believe – and tremble” (James 2:19). An unproductive and ineffective faith is a worthless faith. James uses Abraham as an example, how his faith was counted as righteousness before God but was confirmed when he offered Isaac as proof of his faith (James 2:21-22; Gen. 22:1-19).

Throughout James’s epistle, he mentions different aspects that can contribute to a life that actively demonstrates faith. These aspects include enduring trials and temptations (James 1:2-4,12-18), avoiding doublemindedness (James 1:6-8), being content (James 4:1-3), controlling anger (James 1:19-20), resisting the devil (James 4:7-8), guarding words (James 3:1-12), praying sincerely (James 5:13-18), and being in the world but not becoming part of it (James 4:4).

The challenge stands as to how believers today can apply what James wrote to their lives in the 21st century. The responsibility lies in diligence. Believers are to study the Word of God to know what He expects. An individual is to grow in faith, be obedient to God, and do good works as the Holy Spirit leads him or her. In this way, those who profess faith in Christ will accurately represent God to a lost world.

Bibliography

Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: a Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.

Stacy, Robert Wayne. “Hebrews and James.” (lecture in NBST 515 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA).