- Jan 19, 2024
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings, I write to you with love and concern for the truth that sets us free, the truth of God’s Word. It has come to my attention by reading many posts that some among you wrestle with the words of James, where he declares that "faith without works is dead." Some may conclude that this teaching means that works are required to secure salvation. Let us together seek clarity, guided by the Spirit and the words of our Lord.
In James 2:26, we read, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." This passage is indeed powerful, and its meaning is profound. But it must be understood in the light of all Scripture and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember first what Jesus taught about salvation. He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV). Salvation is a gift, freely given, and it comes through faith in Him who gave His life for us.
Yet, faith is not a passive thing. It is not mere words or an intellectual agreement. True faith, the kind that saves, is alive, vibrant, and transformative. Jesus spoke of this when He said, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17, NKJV). The fruit does not make the tree good; rather, it reveals the tree’s true nature. In the same way, our works do not make us saved, but they reveal the genuineness of our faith.
James’ teaching is not at odds with the truth of salvation by faith. Instead, he warns against a counterfeit faith—a faith that is claimed but not lived. Consider a lamp that has no light or a seed that never grows. Can such things fulfill their purpose? In the same way, faith that does not produce works is lifeless and cannot be called true faith. James calls us to examine our lives, not to earn salvation, but to ensure that the faith we profess is real and active.
Let us also look to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. Here, Jesus speaks of the righteous who cared for the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. Their works were not performed to earn salvation but were the natural outflow of hearts transformed by love for their King. The works were evidence of their relationship with Him. Jesus makes it clear that what we do for others, we do for Him. Such works are not the root of our salvation but its fruit.
The apostle John echoes this truth, writing, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20, NKJV). Love for God and love for others are inseparable, and true love always results in action.
Let us then understand the relationship between faith and works rightly. Works are not the price of salvation but the proof of it. They are the evidence of a heart that has been redeemed and renewed by the power of Christ. A living faith will always produce works of love, mercy, and obedience, just as a healthy tree produces fruit.
Do not let the enemy deceive you into thinking that your works can earn what Christ has already purchased for you on the cross. His sacrifice is sufficient, and your faith in Him is the key to eternal life. But also, do not let complacency take root, for a faith that does not move us to action is no faith at all.
I encourage you, my friends, to walk as Jesus walked, to love as He loved, and to serve as He served. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). In doing so, you will not only honor God but also bear witness to the world of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He strengthen your faith and guide your works, and may your lives reflect the beauty of His love. Let us press on together, not striving to earn salvation but living as those who have already been redeemed.
With love in Christ,
JFF
Greetings, I write to you with love and concern for the truth that sets us free, the truth of God’s Word. It has come to my attention by reading many posts that some among you wrestle with the words of James, where he declares that "faith without works is dead." Some may conclude that this teaching means that works are required to secure salvation. Let us together seek clarity, guided by the Spirit and the words of our Lord.
In James 2:26, we read, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." This passage is indeed powerful, and its meaning is profound. But it must be understood in the light of all Scripture and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember first what Jesus taught about salvation. He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV). Salvation is a gift, freely given, and it comes through faith in Him who gave His life for us.
Yet, faith is not a passive thing. It is not mere words or an intellectual agreement. True faith, the kind that saves, is alive, vibrant, and transformative. Jesus spoke of this when He said, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17, NKJV). The fruit does not make the tree good; rather, it reveals the tree’s true nature. In the same way, our works do not make us saved, but they reveal the genuineness of our faith.
James’ teaching is not at odds with the truth of salvation by faith. Instead, he warns against a counterfeit faith—a faith that is claimed but not lived. Consider a lamp that has no light or a seed that never grows. Can such things fulfill their purpose? In the same way, faith that does not produce works is lifeless and cannot be called true faith. James calls us to examine our lives, not to earn salvation, but to ensure that the faith we profess is real and active.
Let us also look to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. Here, Jesus speaks of the righteous who cared for the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. Their works were not performed to earn salvation but were the natural outflow of hearts transformed by love for their King. The works were evidence of their relationship with Him. Jesus makes it clear that what we do for others, we do for Him. Such works are not the root of our salvation but its fruit.
The apostle John echoes this truth, writing, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20, NKJV). Love for God and love for others are inseparable, and true love always results in action.
Let us then understand the relationship between faith and works rightly. Works are not the price of salvation but the proof of it. They are the evidence of a heart that has been redeemed and renewed by the power of Christ. A living faith will always produce works of love, mercy, and obedience, just as a healthy tree produces fruit.
Do not let the enemy deceive you into thinking that your works can earn what Christ has already purchased for you on the cross. His sacrifice is sufficient, and your faith in Him is the key to eternal life. But also, do not let complacency take root, for a faith that does not move us to action is no faith at all.
I encourage you, my friends, to walk as Jesus walked, to love as He loved, and to serve as He served. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). In doing so, you will not only honor God but also bear witness to the world of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He strengthen your faith and guide your works, and may your lives reflect the beauty of His love. Let us press on together, not striving to earn salvation but living as those who have already been redeemed.
With love in Christ,
JFF