Weekly Sermons

Faith Works

Theology means the study of God. It is also the umbrella term for discussing every doctrine in the Bible. Soteriology is the study of salvation. A big topic under that heading is how to understand the relation between faith and works.

Paul and James did not contradict each other, but complimented each other on the role of faith and works in the life of a believer.

James 2:14-26            

Key Reminder: James 1:17-18 has already affirmed salvation as a gift of God     

James clearly didn’t believe that doing works saves a person, because in James 1:17-18 he has already taught that God’s grace is behind true conversion.  

Ephesians 2:8-10

James rejects false faith that doesn’t work                                                  V. 14-17

If you profess the first John 3:16 you need to practice the other John 3:16!

My favorite verse is John 15:5

James declares that intellectual assent alone is not true faith                   V. 18-20           

John 15:8

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.                   -John 15:14

Faith justifies before God, whereas works justify before men                    V. 21-26

Genesis 15:6

Romans 4:2-5

“In Paul’s writings, ‘justification’ means to declare a sinner righteous in the sight of God; here in James it means ‘to vindicate’ or ‘show to be righteous’ before God and men.” -Charles Ryrie

Justification by faith is justification inward before God; Justification by works is justification outward toward our fellow man.

At the heart of James 2:14-26 is the simple fact that genuine faith produces genuine works. If our faith is only something we talk about, James pronounces the death sentence upon it.                                                                                                        -Johnny Hunt
Here is an illustration for you…

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.                      -Matthew 5:16