26 August 2012
Steve Grant
James 2:14-26
This passage has caused untold confusion for many, who think it is opposed to the teaching of Paul. However, it’s clear to see that both James and Paul speak of faith as the root of the tree of salvation. But the fruit of this tree is good works, which even Paul teaches in Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Therefore the message is very straightforward: the means of salvation is faith in Jesus Christ; but the evidence of saving faith is good works. You cannot have one without the other.
Here, James is speaking to people who thought they were saved, but their alleged salvation wasn’t showing through in their daily lives.
Steve uncovers 3 kinds of faith that James deals with in this passage and it’s vital that we identify which kind of faith we have within us. After all, this is a matter of eternal life and death. If our faith isn’t the kind that saves, then this is something that we need to set right.