FAITH WITHOUT WORKS

SERIES: YOUR FAITH

TEXT: JAMES 2:17-26

Faith is substance of things not seen, things hoped for which have not yet appeared- Heb. 11:1. Faith causes one to act as though those things not seen were real. Faith without works is dead.

Illustrations of faith:-

A man known as Charles Blondin was a professional tight rope walker. He could delicately walk on tight rope tied between two ropes many meters above the ground.

One time he decided to show his professionalism of walking across the raging water of Niagara Falls in the United States of America. Ropes were tied about 50 meters above the ground across the river. About 5000 spectators had gathered to witness the event that had been publicized. Blondin crossed the rope 2 inches wide in diameter and 400 meters long with only a balancing ole from plunging into the dangerous rapids below.

He started from one side and carefully walked over the raging waters to the other side. As he finished on the opposite the crowd roared with applause. Many could hardly believe. He then asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can push a wheelbarrow on the rope?” they all yelled, “Yes.” He took a wheelbarrow and carefully pushed it on the rope across the Falls to the surprise of all. He then went further for the 3^rd time and asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can carry a person across the water?” they all replied, “Yes we believe.” He then asked for a person to volunteer to be carried by him across the falls. Surprisingly, not one person was willing to be carries across the raging waters. It is one thing to say, “I believe” it is something else to act to show that you believe.

Once upon a time there was draught in a land. Christians called for a meeting to come together and pray for the rains in the draught. In the meeting one young boy attended the meeting carrying an umbrella. When asked why he carried an umbrella in such a dry weather he replied, “I have faith that immediately we pray the rains will fall.” To the amazement of all, they prayed and rains fell immediately. It is one thing to say that you believe, it is a different thing to show by actions that you believe. Faith without works is dead.

EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE AND SHUDDER BUT CANT BE SAVED- James 2:19

If what were required of us to be justified by God was to believe that God exists, even demons believe and shudder and they are not saved.
Our faith must go a step further and be accompanied by actions.
James 2:26- the body apart from the spirit is dead, faith, apart from works is dead.
We are not saved by good works but we are saved for good works- Eph. 2:8-10. This means that after you are saved you must do good works.
A vine branch that does not bear fruit is cut and throne into the fire- John 15:6.

ABRAHAM’S FAITH HAD WORKS- James 2:21

Abraham believed God and it was counted for him as righteousness- Gen. 15:6.
He was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar- James 2:21.

RAHAB’S FAITH HAD WORKS- James 2:25.

Rahab the harlot had faith that the God of Israel had power to bring down the walls of Jericho and give it to Israel.
She justified her faith by works by accepting a deal with the spies, to hide them.

CONCLUSION

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also- James 2:26.