Slideshow image

Faith and Our Works

Understanding Faith – Lesson 4
Text: James 2:14–18

Anytime this passage is preached, it is so important not to confuse or blur the line between works as a result of faith and works as a substitute for faith. We preach Christ and Him crucified. We preach the finished work on the cross of Calvary. We preach that by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9). Paul said in Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We cannot and must not add anything to the salvation equation—salvation is in Christ alone. Jesus plus nothing. Jesus plus anything is a heresy. Jesus plus anything is a false Christianity.

Here in our text, James, the half-brother of Jesus, says faith without works is dead. Notice verse 26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” This passage does not imply that works are a replacement for faith, but rather that works are evidence and complement the faith we already have in Christ—not working to be saved, but working because we are saved.

Sermon Outline

1. Faith is in Christ, but Our Working is for Christ

  • God judges the heart, and He knows the heart, but what does man see? We cannot see salvation apart from external evidence.

  • External works represent God’s internal work. Think about it—how do you know a person is married or employed? You see the evidence.

  • Matthew 5:16 and James 2:15–17 support this idea: faith accompanied by works makes a difference in the lives of others.

  • Key principle: Faith is in Christ, but our works are for Christ.

2. Works for Christ Without Faith in Christ is Vain

  • Works after salvation give evidence that faith is present, but works apart from salvation do not produce salvation.

  • Example: baptism. We teach that baptism is an outward profession of an inward occurrence, but it does not save. Without faith first, it is only a work.

  • Matthew 7:21 supports this: doing works without faith does not bring salvation.

  • Key principle: Works for Christ without faith in Christ is vain. Some work to try to earn God’s love; others work because they already love Him.

3. If We Have Faith in Christ, We Should Work for Christ

  • Not every believer will do the same work, but the variety of ministries and callings allows the church to operate effectively.

  • John 9:4 reminds us: there is work to do while it is day. John 10:25 shows us that Jesus’ works bore witness of Him. The work matches the statements.

  • If Jesus had work to do, so should we. Our works demonstrate the faith we claim.

Our greatest works:

  1. To know Him

  2. To make Him known through every available means—sports events, state dinners, church services, teaching, singing, feeding, clothing, loving, encouraging—whatever is necessary.

  • We must have faith that our work will work, not for our glory, but to honor Christ and reflect His love to the world.