Jesus from the book of James is revealed as the living faith.

Jesus from the book of James; Living Faith.

The Bible from the book of James reveals our Lord JESUS CHRIST, as the Living Faith.

James 2:1.  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 

        Unfortunately, some in the Christendom, felt Paul and James contradicts each other.  

Paul wrote that faith is absolute dependence on the finished work of CHRIST,  while James claims living faith is evidenced by works. 

Both were  perfectly correct. The two wrote to different audience.

 Paul wrote to unbelievers , who must be saved by grace. 

James wrote to brethren, the Christian Jews, who must affirm their faith by godly works. 

 James 1:2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

 James 2:1.  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 

Paul, however, in his epistle to the Ephesians emphasized  godly works, after we have been saved by grace. 

Ephesians  2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Verses 8. &  9, referred to grace, while verse 10, referred  to godly works after salvation . 

We will consider the topic three subheadings.

1. Christ’s faith demonstrated through godly works.

2. Christian’s faithfully doing good works.

3. Condemnation for disdaining good works..

1. Christ’s faith demonstrated through godly works.

James  2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 Our Lord Jesu CHRIST was the epitome of living faith. 

John  4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John  9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Mark  1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.  1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Luke  4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.  4:44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

In addition He demonstrated a life of living faith in His earthly ministry by works, rendering wholehearted obedience to Our father in heaven,

 because of His faith in  Him.

Philippians  2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

John  17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

2. Christian’s faithfully doing good works.

Beloved brethren are you committed to doing godly works, to prove that you have faith in God?

 Abraham offered Isaac, to justify his faith. 

Rahab the harlot hid the two spies to justify her faith in God. 

What are you doing to affirm yours?  

Faith without works can not be called faith. Faith without works is dead. 

Ephesians  2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Our Lord told Peter, if you love me, prove it, feed my sheep. 

 John 21:16. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

Our Lord JESUS CHRIST is saying to us, like He spoke to Peter, give yourself to godly works as your evidence of living faith, like I did.

Matthew  28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Luke  19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Acts  8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.  8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

Galatians  6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Matthew  10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Mark  9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

3. Condemnation for disdaining good works..

It very unfortunate that so called churchgoers today are not interested in doing anything to see others in their world of influence saved or even advance Christ kingdom.

They are poor in helping others through which Christ can draw these people to the kingdom.

Matthew  25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.  25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.  25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew  25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

1 John  3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Remember faith without going works is a dead faith.

James  2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

May the good Lord depend on us in Jesus name.

Let us pray.