“Faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by actions, is
dead.”

(vs. 17) James 2:14-26

I.WHICH MAN WAS RIGHT?

” know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

Paul (Gal 2:16)

” In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James (2:17)

	Paul	James
Problem	“Legalism”	“Laxity”
“Works”	Jewish Laws	Christian Lifestyle
Focus	“Roots of salvation” Internal/Unseen	“Fruit of salvation” External/Seen
Purpose	How to know I’m a Christian	How to Show I’m a Christian

“ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Eph. 2:8-10

II. WHAT DOES A REAL FAITH LOOK LIKE ?

1. A REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST WORDS YOU SPEAK.
   • James 2:. 14″What good is it my brother if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds?
2. A REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST A FEELING
   • James 2. 15-16 “ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
   • James 2:17”In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
3. A REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST IN YOUR HEAD.
   • James 2:18”But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds. “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
4. A REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST THOUGHTS
   • James 2:19” You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
5. A REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU ACT ON
   • Two very different people

Abraham

‘ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his
son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed
God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.’

James 2:20

Rahab

“ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did
when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?”

James 2:25

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”

2 Cor. 13:5

Where am I going to action my belief and show it this week?