Real faith, works!
Reading: James 2:14-26.
“What does
it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can faith save him? ………. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also.”
It seems if you put the word “real” in
front of anything it sells more, etc. “real coffee” or “real leather.” Because
most of us are interested in the genuine article. Even Coke used to be advertised
as the “real thing.”
I want to talk today about what James has
to say about how to have a real faith in Christ Jesus. There are a
lot of false religious ideas out there, more so when it makes people think they
are Christians, but they are not! In
this passage James talks about the difference between true believers and false believers.
James talks about how you must have a real
faith. Because, real faith, works! James
focuses on the fruit of salvation, what happens after our salvation, and
not works as the means of salvation. Jesus Himself confirms this saying, that
by a person's fruits you shall know them, to be true believers. “You will know them by
their fruits” … Matthew
7:16. James talks about
how to behave like a believer!
One of the greatest dangers for preachers
of the gospel, is that we like to see people converted to Christ, and sometimes
we are willing to accept individuals who says, “Yes, I will trust Jesus as my
Saviour.” But, that confess of faith may not be real. So how can you tell that
people are real, that they have the real thing?
The story is told that the Devil held a AGM meeting
with his demons to decide how to persuade men that God did not existent. Since
they themselves believed in His existence, and they did not want mankind to
know. “You believe that there is one
God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!”
Here are some of the ideas brought up:
a. One demon suggested that they tell people Jesus Christ
never really existed and that men should not believe such fiction.
b. Another demon suggested that they persuade men that
death, is the end of all and there is no need to worry about life after death,
and the judgement of God.
c. Finally, the most intelligent demon suggested that
they tell everyone that there is a God, that there is His Son Jesus Christ, and
that believing in Him saves you.
BUT, all you have to do is confess your faith in
Christ and then go on living in sin as normal.
They decided to use this method, and it is still the most
often used method the Devil uses today.
So, how do I know that I am a true
believer? Well, it says here: “Faith without works is dead.” James says you need to behave like a
believer!
1ST POINT: REAL
FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU SAY.
“What
does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not
have works? Can faith save him?” James
2:14.
Real faith is not just something you say,
for there are a lot of people who claim to be Christians.
Do you know anybody that claims to be a Christian but you do not see any
evidence in their life? If you do not see anything different in their
lifestyle, that is a false faith.
It is more than just talk that is involved in real faith.
“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will
say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast
out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness!'” Matthew 7:21-23. Real faith is not just something you say.
2ND POINT: REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU DO.
“But do you want to know, O foolish man,
that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works
when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working
together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” James 2:20-22.
In the next couple of verses James gives
an illustration that say real faith is something you do. Faith is
active! It is not passive. It is a commitment. Our faith is not determined by what we say, feel or believe; real
faith is demonstrated by what we do.
“Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17. It have been often said: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough
evidence to convict you?” That is a good question, for real faith
always produces change!
James is
saying here: If you say “I believe in Jesus!” Well, prove
it. For our faith is
demonstrated by our actions, actions speak louder than words. Our
behavior shows what we really believe. “Examine yourselves as to whether
you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus
Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified” 2 Corinthians 13:5.
In the light of what James says here, am I
really a Christian? What changes
can I point to in my life? Is my lifestyle any different at all from
unbelievers? James is saying
demonstrate your faith!
Conclusion:
How do I know for sure I have real faith in Christ? You can
settle it right now. How do you do that?
Notice, THREE things in this passage, and if you get those out of
order, you are in trouble.
1. “By grace.”
2. “Through faith.”
3. “For good works.”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we
should walk in them” Ephesians 2:8-10.
So, how I know that
I am a true believer? Walk the walk! Be real in your life changing ways!
