I just recently finished preaching through the book of James on Wednesday nights at Ephesus Church.
It was a rewarding adventure through the black and white world of the
half-brother of the Lord Jesus. As I preach through a book, I like to
determine what a good, overall summary statement might be to wrap it
all together. For James, the clearest, most concise statement is that
we are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, living out our
faith in deeds and not just talk in everyday life, especially in the
face of trials and persecution, to demonstrate our salvation in Christ
and our justification before God.
Preaching through James made me even more acutely aware of the frivolous attempts that many professing Christians make at living a biblically sound and faithful life. At first glance, it may seem as though the Apostle is exhorting one to earn something or to do something in order to gain salvation or reconciliation with God, yet he is writing quite the contrary. As is the theme with all of the New Testament writers, James is arguing that a life of faith will necessarily cause one to do good works - to be doers of the Word (James 1:22). How is it that so many would believe that Jesus died to release them from the bondage of sin and the wrath of God, and yet does not do the necessary work to change their heart and affections and inclinations to do the good works of the faith? Nonsense! The one who is saved by grace will serve with mercy and love. Truly, if one has saving faith, works will be a natural byproduct.
I am concerned that many of us in reformed circles are often too guarded in discussing and encouraging good works from the saints of God. While we must certainly be clear that one is justified by grace, through faith, apart from works of the law (Galatians 2:16), we must be equally as clear that a Christian life is evidenced by its fruit (good works). This is an inseparable both/and equation that I am convinced the Apostle James sought to present as clearly as possible to make known that a life without works is a life without faith. In other words, a man is justified by grace, through faith apart from works of the law, but if that man has no good works, he is not a justified man. Justification is given with a new heart and new affections, causing good works. Therefore, the concern ought not to be that we over-emphasize the doing of good works, but rather that we simply get the order right. We are not justified by our works, but rather we do our works because we are justified; that is a crucial understanding.
I imagine James in a boat with two oars. The oar on the left side of the boat is faith, and the oar on the right is works. If they are not being paddled in conjunction with one another, the boat will simply turn in circles, leading nowhere. Indeed, I would argue that faith without works may be more dangerous than being an unbeliever because of the depths of deception at hand. James calls it dead faith (2:17), devil faith (2:19), and useless faith (2:20), but not saving faith. What tragedy.
How do faith and works complement one another in your life?
Preaching through James made me even more acutely aware of the frivolous attempts that many professing Christians make at living a biblically sound and faithful life. At first glance, it may seem as though the Apostle is exhorting one to earn something or to do something in order to gain salvation or reconciliation with God, yet he is writing quite the contrary. As is the theme with all of the New Testament writers, James is arguing that a life of faith will necessarily cause one to do good works - to be doers of the Word (James 1:22). How is it that so many would believe that Jesus died to release them from the bondage of sin and the wrath of God, and yet does not do the necessary work to change their heart and affections and inclinations to do the good works of the faith? Nonsense! The one who is saved by grace will serve with mercy and love. Truly, if one has saving faith, works will be a natural byproduct.
I am concerned that many of us in reformed circles are often too guarded in discussing and encouraging good works from the saints of God. While we must certainly be clear that one is justified by grace, through faith, apart from works of the law (Galatians 2:16), we must be equally as clear that a Christian life is evidenced by its fruit (good works). This is an inseparable both/and equation that I am convinced the Apostle James sought to present as clearly as possible to make known that a life without works is a life without faith. In other words, a man is justified by grace, through faith apart from works of the law, but if that man has no good works, he is not a justified man. Justification is given with a new heart and new affections, causing good works. Therefore, the concern ought not to be that we over-emphasize the doing of good works, but rather that we simply get the order right. We are not justified by our works, but rather we do our works because we are justified; that is a crucial understanding.
I imagine James in a boat with two oars. The oar on the left side of the boat is faith, and the oar on the right is works. If they are not being paddled in conjunction with one another, the boat will simply turn in circles, leading nowhere. Indeed, I would argue that faith without works may be more dangerous than being an unbeliever because of the depths of deception at hand. James calls it dead faith (2:17), devil faith (2:19), and useless faith (2:20), but not saving faith. What tragedy.
How do faith and works complement one another in your life?
Thursday August 6, 2009
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