Relationship between Faith and Works (2of2)

The Relationship Between Faith and Works Pt. 2 Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

UNC 76 Duke 68

The Relationship Between Faith and Works Pt. 2 Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

James 2:14

24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

James 2:24

28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Romans 3:28

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

James Paul

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

The Relationship Between Faith and Works

I. Works are the animating principle of vital faith.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James 2:26

“ the body without the spirit is dead”

“ faith without works is dead”

Good works are the key to having a vital living faith.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

Works are the animating principle of vital faith.

A dead, nonproductive faith cannot deliver you from the consequences of a sinful lifestyle .

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but has no deeds. Faith can’t save him, can it? (Literal translation from the Greek)



(1) to rescue or deliver from danger

(2) to deliver in various spiritual senses

(3) to heal

(4) to deliver from final judgment in hell

(BAGD & Louw and Nida Greek Lexicons)

19 My brothers , if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save (  ) him from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

19 My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you , which can save (  ) you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:19-22

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but has no deeds. Faith can’t save him, can it? (Literal translation from the Greek)

God’s grace is manifested to others through a godly life.

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Justification by Faith

Vindication before God

Secures our eternal standing

Makes us a child of God

Vindication before men

Secures our temporal fellowship with God

Makes us a friend of God.

Justification by Works

John 15:14

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

John 14:21

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.

Critical Questions