Faith without Deeds - James 2:14-26

James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

As Christians what good is it to say we have faith, but don't live in, or through our faith? Are we just boasting, saying we have idle belief? If we truly have faith wouldn't we have something (good works) to show for it? Can that faith without works produce Salvation?

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

James was not talking about this faith, this faith is heart belief, not head belief, this is faith provided by God from faith to faith through grace. A gift of God, it has nothing to do with how good we think we are, or how much we think we have done, or donated.
It is the belief in the heart that God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins.
It is the heart belief that we are sinners and undeserving of the greatest gift ever given.
It is the knowledge, acceptance, obedience, and trust in God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This faith is the faith of salvation, and this faith will have good works.

James is showing us the difference between true faith and "pretend" faith.

James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Cheap words and charitable wishes do nothing, we must live our faith, love our neighbor, brother, and sisters as ourselves. Provide for the needs of others. What good is it for those in need if we do not provide, the stomach is not filled with kind words, or the back clothed with wishes. Salvation is not witnessed without testimony, faith to faith, ministering to those in need.

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 21:16

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

James 2:17-18

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Faith without works is dead, true faith, God living in Christians and Christians living in God, must produce good works, fruit, evidence of God, evidence of real faith.

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Matthew 8:29

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Acts 19:15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Even devils and demons know that there is one God.

James 2:20-23

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James is rebuking those with head belief, those that are not living by faith. Providing an example of true faith, showing how the trust and obedience in God by offering his son on the alter, manifest as works with faith, fulfilled scripture, and was counted for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James 2:24-26

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We are able to discern our Salvation, and other Christians by our works, deeds, and behavior, along with our knowledge, acceptance, obedience, and trust in God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit (True Faith), not just head faith, because even the devils and demons know and fear God.

The body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also...

We must live our faith, we must live our lives for the Lord.
Every moment of every day!