Posted by Chester Morton / Monday 1 August 2016 / No comments
James' teaching on faith and works
JAMES
TEACHING ON FAITH AND WORKS
(JAMES 1:2 -11; 2:14- 26)
According to James, Christians should count it all joy, when they
go through difficulties because it tests their faith and when faith is tested
it produces steadfastness which makes a person perfect and complete, lacking
nothing.
He taught that if anybody lacks wisdom, that person must ask God
who gives it out generously without holding back. James wrote that whoever asks
from God must ask in faith, not doubting because a person who doubts is like
the wave of the sea, that is, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should
not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Teaching about faith and works, James said it does not profit a
man if he said he has faith but lacks works because his faith can never save him.
For instance, if a person is feeling cold because he is not wearing warm
clothing, you do not tell the person to be warmed without providing him with
warm clothing. So also when a person is hungry, you do not tell the person to
be filled without giving him food. If such a person is not given what he really
needs, work done is zero. The moral is that faith not backed by works is dead.
To James, when Abraham tried to offer his son Isaac on the altar,
he was justified by works. He taught that Abraham's faith was complemented by
his work (offering Isaac to God). James also spoke of Rahab the harlot, how she
received the messengers of Israel and sent them out on another route to save
their lives. This also showed that her faith was justified by works. Therefore,
to James, a man is justified by faith and works, not by faith alone.
James concluded that as the body without the spirit is dead, so
also faith without works is dead,
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Christians must make sure that their faith is more than just a
statement of it.
2. Christians must let their faith be backed by action.
3. A person must be committed to serve and love his fellow human
being.
WAYS BY WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR FAITH IN GOD.
WAYS BY WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR FAITH IN GOD.
1. By providing the needs of those who are incapacitated.
2. By obeying the instructions of God.
3. By being each other’s keeper even if it will cost them their
life.
4. By eliminating doubt from their heart.
5. By disregarding the precepts of men in favour of God’s
commandments.
6. By donating towards Church development.
REFLECTION OF FAITH IN WORKS
1. Visiting the sick and the needy
2. Helping the needy, orphans and the
marginalized
3. Living a chaste life (exemplary
lives)
4. Embarking on evangelism
5. Contributing generously to the church’s
programmes
6. Helping to distribute relief items to
victims of flood, famine, fire, etc.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Expound James' teaching on faith and works.
2. a. Explain James' concept of works in relation to faith.
b. In what three ways can Christians demonstrate
their faith in their daily life?
3. a. Highlight how James proved that "faith apart from work
is dead."
b. Mention four deeds of faith.
4. a. Recount James’ argument that faith without works is dead.
b. Mention three benefits of faith to a Christian.
