Key Verse: James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Are we saved by works or our we saved by faith? The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “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.” Salvation is God’s gift to the world that we accept through faith in the person and work of Jesus. We are saved by God’s grace. Now if thats the case, then what is James talking about here in James 2? In V.14-26, James starts talking about faith and works. Some people seem to think that James is teaching that works do play a part in our salvation, while others don’t. With that being said, what do works have to do with our salvation? James is not saying that we are saved by our works. None of us can do enough good works to merit God’s favor and earn our salvation. Sin has tainted everything, and one sin would taint all the good works we could ever do in this life. James is rather teaching us another vital Christian principle. He is teaching us that real faith is PROVED by good works. Good works don’t save us!! Feeding the poor, going to church, forgiving your enemies, and sharing the gospel are all great things to do, but NONE of them saved you! Rather if you’ve professed faith in Christ and you have a desire to do these things, and you actually do them, James is teaching us that they are the evidence of our salvation. Real faith works! If you one proclaims the name of Christ, but never does any of the commandments of Christ, James says that person’s faith is dead! Real faith is evident through working for Jesus! Is your faith vibrant and alive, or is dead? Take a look at your actions and you can see!
