Is Your Faith Genuine Or Is It Like A Screen Door On A Submarine?

Good morning glad you dropped by on this cold Panhandle morning. Pull up a chair and sit awhile. This morning we are looking at verses 14-20 in the Book of James. I'm sure I have mention this, but just in a way of a reminder James is the half brother to our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. James had also become the head of the Jerusalem Church. Here in these verses James challenges our faith. Critics of Christianity and the Bible usually point to this section of James and then to Ephesians 2:8-9; 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. To say that the Bible contradicts itself and that Christianity is a religion of “works.” But in reality these two section go hand in hand. Your salvation comes by placing your faith in Christ Jesus and because you do that the works that James speaks of will naturally spring forth. Simply put because I have been given salvation through Christ Jesus I want live in a way that pleases Him (works).

Today as we look at this study I want to let y'all know that it is based on a sermon by Timothy Beougher.

Kent Hughes writes about a cartoon in The New Yorker that showed a large sign out in front of a church which read: “The Lite Church: 24% Fewer Commitments, Home of the 7.5% tithe, fifteen-minute sermons, forty-five-minute worship services. We have only eight commandments—your choice. We use just three spiritual laws. Everything you’ve wanted in a church … and less!” Unfortunately that cartoon paints an accurate picture. Many people today are looking for a “lite church,” a “lite faith,” and a “lite commitment.” In the passage we’re studying today, James asks each of us a question, “Is your faith genuine?” How can we know if we have real faith or “lite faith?”

James 2:14

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

In verse 14, James writes “If someone says he has faith…” This verse hings on a little word, a

word often over looked that word is “if.” The Greek word used here is a conditional particle,

that denotes indefiniteness or uncertainty (before, except, but, if). James doesn’t say this

individual actually does have faith, but simply that this person claims to have faith.

The verb translated here, “to claim,” or, “to say,” is in the present tense, which suggests this

person is continually asserting his faith, constantly saying, “I have faith. I have faith,” as if he

is trying to convince others or maybe himself. But his words are hollow, there is no outward

evidence supports his claim. We have a saying here in the U.S., “He's talking the talk, but he isn't walking the walk.”

So James is referring to the profession of faith, not to the possession of faith. The faith that James denounces is on merely a verbal confession, and not a faith that means a

wholehearted acceptance of Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour. When I worked for a T.V. Repair service we were on a call and the home owner presented the gospel and then he asked us if we wanted to pray to accept Christ Jesus. Well I was already a Christian but my partner was not and he wasn't sure what to do so he prayed with the man. I asked him on our drive back to the shop if he meant what he prayed. He said no, that he felt uncomfortable and just wanted to get out of there and praying seem to be the easiest way to do that. You see he words came out of his mouth, but not from his heart. I am happy to say a year or so later my friend did except Christ Jesus for real.

James has nothing against faith. In fact, throughout his letter he shows us he is a great supporter of faith (1:3, 6; 2:1, 5), but he wants it to be genuine, wholehearted faith. James would agree with those who say that we aren’t saved by faith plus works, but we are saved by a faith that works. It must have follow-through. If there is a root, it will eventually bear fruit; no fruit means no root. Where works do not exist, neither does faith; 18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (vs. 18).

James 2:15-16, 19

15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? … 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

In these verses James goes on to illustrate the logical absurdity of faith without works. It reminds me of a line from a Rich Mullins song, faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine.

The “brother” or “sister” is probably a believer, maybe a needy person in the congregation. James attacks those who only speak kind words to this needy soul. Isn’t it enough to be kind? No! The needy person’s body is still cold; his stomach is still empty. To make it personal, there are probably those in your community needing your help. Do you simply smile and say, “I hope it gets better,” or do you cook them dinner, keep their children, or help them move into their new apartment? Genuine conversion leads to genuine compassion. Please don't get me wrong I know that there are some who read this blog who may be the ones struggling, so yes a kind word or letting some one know you are praying for them may be just what the Lord wants you to do. James is saying be open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

James gives a further example of false faith in verse 19. His reference to the demons makes a graphic point. No demon is an atheist. They believe in God, they exercise “faith,” yet we know they are spiritually dead; we know they are not saved nor have the kind of faith God requires. A kind of belief exists which is not true faith. The man in verse 14 had intellectual faith. Demons not only have this, but they are in full agreement emotionally with the truth of who God is. But they lack the type of faith that “trusts in” or “relies upon” God. Saving faith involves all three components: knowledge, agreement, and trust. That is, the mind, body, and soul. A belief that does not work is no better than that which the demons have.

James 2:17, 20

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself...20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Do what is James’ conclusion? Faith that does not show outwardly evidence is not genuine faith. Faith, by itself, is dead. If it produces no works, it is lifeless and ineffective to justification. Faith alone without works is as dead as a body without breath. If you put a monitor on someone who professes to have faith but displays no outward evidence, the monitor will show a flat line. That person can talk all they want, but they do not have genuine faith. Without the outward evidence of deeds, a mere profession of faith is simply that: a profession without possession, an impostor posing as a believer. Could that be you?

1. Verse 14 hings on a little word, a word often over looked, what is that word. Why is it so important?
2. What is the difference between words that come out of one's mouth, and ones that come from the heart.
3. Genuine conversion leads to genuine what?
4. Does Satan and the demons believe in God? Are Satan and the demons saved? Why or why not?