This exposition of James 2:14-26 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 31, 2019.
Intro:
I was in the living room minding my own business when the call came from the kitchen. “Rod, would you come in here this can opener isn’t working.” I walked into the kitchen and calmly said, “It isn’t the can opener – it’s the operator!” When I came to and got up off the floor I tried – it didn’t work.
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I started mumbling, “This things is worthless…I don’t know why she buys these worthless things…worthless, worthless, worthless.” “Rod the dryer isn’t working.” I walked in the utility room – pushed the button and let it run a minute. Opened the door it wasn’t the least bit warm. I closed the door and said, “Uh huh.” She said, “Do you know what’s wrong?” I said, “Yeah, it won’t dry clothes! You want to know why? Cause it’s worthless. Worthless, worthless, worthless!”
A dryer is supposed to dry. If it doesn’t dry – it’s worthless – it is of no value. Value is determined by how well a thing performs the task it is designed to perform. That, it seems to me, is basic. This is not rocket science. James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus, seems to have been of the same mindset. That is why when he considers a “workless” faith – he considered it of no value. In fact he considered it to be worthless.
Text: James 2:14-26
James was a practical man.
He dealt in reality.
It would be easy to launch into deep, abstract reasoning while discussing faith and its value. But James says the value is seen in how well it performs or its visible results in your life.
James is direct and to the point.
He shoots from the hip.
Thesis: Real, genuine faith impacts the way we live, think and respond to the needs of those around us.
According to James – you cannot separate faith and works.
Genuine faith always produces works – genuine works always proceed from faith.
This passage has been the source of great conflict through the years.
New Testament scholars have debated the merits and interpretation of this passage with passion.
It is this passage that caused such grief for Martin Luther.
It is because of our text – Luther felt James did not belong in the NT Canon.
He saw it as an attack on sola fide – or “faith alone.”
Particularly troubling was 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
I want to point out 2 things as we work our way through this text.
- Genuine faith, of necessity, expresses itself in acts of mercy and righteousness. (2:14-17)
- Genuine faith cannot be separated from acts of righteousness, they are two sides of the same coin. (2:18-26)
Conclusion:
For James, faith and works are two sides of a coin. Genuine faith always produces merciful deeds or works. Genuine works always flow from faith. So – is your faith worthless or is it genuine?
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