Sermon Text: James 2:14-26
Below is a sermon manuscript from March 2, 2024. Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
Well dad said I could do it! Mom said it was fine if I play video games, why are you saying that it is bad for me? Ever fall into one of these traps? Kids love to pit parents against each other. Divide and conquer is engrained at a young age. It’s a very effective strategy. There can be a combo move of lying or twisting the facts of what mom or dad actually said in order to then strike the other side. Mom said I could do it when I get home – this could be omitting “after I do my homework.” If the unexpecting parent says “Ok, if mom said it then I’m good with it, too.” Then the child now has sufficient ammunition when mom asks “I hope you have done your homework first,” to respond with, “we talked to Dad and he said ‘I’m good with it.’ Add in the ability to capitalize on a distracted parent and the chaos is ripe. Kids have a way of dividing to get what they want and this doesn’t go away. It’s common for people to pit different parts of the Bible against itself in order to downplay what it teaches. Our passage in James is exibit A when it comes to this strategy.
Real Faith is Evident in Real Life
Is there anything in your family that is particularly distinctive? Maybe it’s certain physical features or temperament. Growing up, our family always referred to the “Boonstra cheeks” because there were chubby cheeks. Our kids get their hyper competitiveness and diehard love for their teams from their mom. You may not know my wife well enough to see that resemblance, but if you were ever to watch a Steelers/Patriots game when Brady was still playing you can tell why that players name was forbidden from our house. What about you? Do you have anything like that? Is it weird, like we all have a weirdly long second toe that dwarfs the first one? Some trait that says, yeah this one belongs here?
Well, when it comes to the Christian family there are certain qualities that just come along for the ride. Christians are recognized by these traits? What are they? Well, Jesus told us that everyone would know his followers by their love for one another. Listen to these words in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”[1]
When Jesus said that, James likely wasn’t a Christian. As we discussed at the beginning of this series, James likely was converted after Jesus rose from the dead. But now, he is teaching the same thing as Jesus. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a follower of Jesus. What later people would call Christian. To believe in who he was and what he came for. To submit yourself to him and trust him for your salvation. Believing in Jesus meant transformation. It meant that you were now part of his family, bought with his blood, and this meant having the family resemblance. We know from the rest of Scripture that the family resemblance is something that God graciously gives us through the working of the Holy Spirit, But here James isn’t parsing out how it happens. He’s not giving them a lecture on DNA to say why toes are a certain length, instead he’s just saying – belonging to this family means this. It’s more certain that dominant genetic traits, it’s a guarantee.
Real faith benefits real life
To illustrate what he means, James tells of a brother or sister who doesn’t have the necessary food or clothing. They are poverty-stricken, destitute and in need. If the response is merely, “Yo bro, hope everything works out for you.” That’s a flashing red light that something is off. Wishing people the best and saying you desire their good and not entering into their situation and helping in time of need means that your words are empty and meaningless. Our actions say, “I don’t really mean what I say.”[2] Sam Allberry puts it like this, “Deedless Christianity is dead Christianity. It is counterfeit. Faith that has no impact on behaviour is not authentic Christian faith. Real faith acts. Real love does. And in particular, real faith serves and cares for others, especially fellow believers.”[3]
Real faith matters for real life and it loves and serves those around us. To put James’ teaching negatively, he is saying – faith that doesn’t love those in need is kind of pointless to those around you isn’t it? There is a positive horizontal dimension to real faith. It doesn’t stay contained to us but helps others. Christians are often accused of a lot of things. Sometimes these are false accusations. Sometimes they are misunderstandings or misrepresentations. We cannot prevent all of that. But we can be active in the way we love and care for others. Throughout the history of the church, people have found it problematic to criticize Christians because they were known for their generosity and care for others. Sometimes this happens beneath the surface. Christians don’t want to proclaim what they do for self-praise. We’re doing it for God and his glory, after all. But every now and then there are opportunities. I remember someone ranting about Christians only caring for the unborn and what did they do to help moms in need. It
Some behaviors are consistent with Christianity and others are not.
Christians sometimes get accused of the No True Scotsman fallacy.
No True Scotsman (NTS) is a logical error committed when someone tries to change the definition of a word in order to ignore a valid counter-example. The name of this fallacy comes from the cliché most often used to illustrate the mistake. In this story, a man says, “No Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge.” Another man responds, saying, “I was born and raised in Scotland, and I put sugar on my porridge.” The first man replies, “Well, no trueScotsman puts sugar on his porridge.”
Specifically, the No True Scotsman error is an attempt to defend some universal claim—“all X are Y”—by “excusing away” a legitimate instance of the contrary—“here is an X that is not Y.” This deflection involves adding a new requirement, one never legitimately part of the original definition and usually aimed directly at that particular example. NTS is a specific example of an ad hoc (“to this”) fallacy. Determining if something is NTS requires carefully defining the terms and examining whether or not they’re being used consistently by all sides of the discussion.[4]
Some truth
While this is abused, one aspect that it can be true is if we narrow things too much. Sometimes we can say that someone is only a Christian if they care about our extra-Biblical ways to address particular issues. Let me give you an example. We might say that all Christians should care about orphans and widows, something that James addressed already. This is a clear call to care. But to say that caring for orphans and widows means supporting this particular political policy. Taken further, all true Christians must support this policy. This happens on the right and the left of the political aisle. We must be very careful here.
Not always
While there is some ways that this can apply to Christians. It’s also true that Christianity does shape the way that we live and behave. There are patterns of living and decisions that are in step with Biblical Christianity and some that are out of step. While individuals are saved from various sin patterns and will struggle with some things while others struggle with different things, we all should be seeking to live for the Lord. Saying that ethical behavior is expected of Christians and that true Christians will seek to live according to God’s commands is not overly narrowing the Christian faith but properly defining it. This is exactly what James is doing here.
You Can’t Separate Real Faith From Works
The second half of this section focuses on James’ interaction with an objector that tries to separate faith and works. In verse 18, James presses home the truth that we can’t just say “well my personality type is more geared towards words or thinking and not doing stuff.” No, James says, you need both.
Demons Have Good Theology Too
Even Demons have good theology. He uses the shema of Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This is foundational for a proper understanding of God and highly significant in the faith. Yet, having this right is not enough. If we try to reduce the Christian faith to getting our ducks in a row theologically, we’re no better off that the demons. Not only do they have right doctrine, but it actually affects them. They shudder, they have an emotional response. Head knowledge that never leads to action is counterfeit faith. True faith moves us into action.
Abraham and Rahab Demonstrate Faith That Works
After giving two negative examples to make his point, James gives two positive examples.
Abraham’s faith moved him to action
The first example shouldn’t come as a major surprise. This is the prime example for the people of God. The father of their faith, Abraham. The one who was called out and trusts God, and specifically here James highlights his action in offering Isaac. Do you remember this?
In the book of Genesis, we get hints at Abraham knowing that God will provide a way. He doesn’t distinguish and say that only he would return but the text implies that both will return. This faith is confirmed in the book of Hebrews which says Abraham believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead.
This was an act of trusting in God and his promises. We too have promises of God. We don’t have God telling us to do what Abraham was instructed to do, but we do have the promises and commands of God for all Christians. The same God that Abraham trusted, we can trust. The God who is able to raise Isaac is the God who raised his Son in victory for us.
Rahab’s faith moved her to action
The second might be more surprising. Rahab, someone who was not part of the people of God but became part of the people of God. Someone who wasn’t of great reputation but yet trusted in God.
Do you know the story? Some of you do, others may not. The Israelites were led out of Egypt and wandered forty years. They finally entered Canaan, intending to conquer with Joshua leading them. Beforehand, Joshua sent out two spies to evaluate whether the first major city was alert and ready to resist or not. They entered the house of Rahab, perhaps it makes sense to see this as God leading them to the one place where someone in Jericho would be sympathetic to their cause.[5] “This house was more likely a tavern, hostel, or way station, which could be used by visitors, than a brothel.”[6]The king of Jericho heard of the spies and commanded Rahab to turn them over. But she hid them on the roof and disavowed knowledge of their mission and told the king’s men they departed (Josh 2:2-6). The king’s men left and searched down the road for the spies while they were safe on the roof. Rahab, then disclosed her motivation of her actions.[7]
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.[8]
There is something even here in the two uses of the example. Whether you are close to the people of God or appear far off, true faith can be modeled by all and salvation is available to all who believe. This faith is seen in Rahab’s actions.
When she hid the spies and sent the king’s men to the wrong road, she aligned herself with Israel rather than her own people. Rahab said the Lord’s mighty deeds convinced her that he reigns over heaven and on earth (Josh. 2:11). She asked the men to spare her and her family, to join them to the people of God. Subsequent actions supply additional proof of her faith. She helped the spies escape the city, letting them down a rope from her window. Finally, she kept a scarlet cord in her window, so that when Israel defeated Jericho, they knew where she was (2:15–21)[9]
Rahab’s actions also show us that acts of faith are often found in the everyday aspects of life. Sure, many here likely will not be approached by spies for God’s people but in many everyday actions there is a choice to align with God and his ways or with that which is opposed to God. Often aligning with the design and way of Christ puts us at odds with others and can be costly.
Works Are Evidence, But Not Grounds For Saving Faith
The lingering question might still be: how does this relate to what the Bible says about being saved by faith alone? We might think of a verse like Romans 3:28, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.[1]” Some might point to this and say “See! The Bible contradicts itself!” I want to briefly address this charge in this point.
We Must Understand How Different Authors Are Using Specific Terms.
First, we need to understand each argument and the use of words according to how the author is using them. Some words have a wide range of meaning and we need to know what the author means by it. A classic example is someone putting on a dress and says “I am going to the ball.” Another person playing soccer says “you can’t touch the ball, it is meant to kick into the goal. Only your feet touch it.” Now both are using the word ball but they are meaning different things by it.
Understanding James and Paul on their own terms is important. Paul pushes back on the idea that our grounding for our salvation can be in anything that we do. For him, faith is an anti-work. It is trusting not in ourselves and our righteousness but wholly in Jesus and His work for us. James, we can see is using his term to mean the claim of faith. He’s trying to distinguish between true and false faiths, not trying to see the ground for our salvation. Think of it like this: he’s not saying parachutes can keep you up as opposed to an umbrella. He’s saying here’s how you know if you actually have a parachute and aren’t just claiming there’s one in your backpack. He’s not asking how you are saved but how you know that your profession of faith is true faith.
James may be writing this before Paul wrote Galatians and Romans, but regardless he knew that Paul taught justification by faith. He also knew that this was taught in Genesis 15, since he references it in verse 23.
New Testament scholar Daniel Doriani says it this way, “Whether James consciously corrected an abuse of Paul’s teaching or not, he certainly corrected an erroneous concept of faith.[10]”
James Is Getting At Evidence For Faith
From the examples that James gives, we can see that his aim is not how we are justified but how we know someone is justified. Verse 21 can be interpreted to say that Abraham was shown to be righteous by his works. These works were not what saved him, he was counted righteous by his faith, but the works revealed what was true about him. It was an outward expression of his trust in God.
Let me give an illustration of this. Imagine that you hear that State College is expecting to get 6-12 inches of snow per day over the next two weeks. You can take that and dismiss it. You can take the information, acknowledge it will happen and do nothing. But if you truly trust this information, it would make a difference wouldn’t it? You may make sure that you have sufficient supplies. You may make sure that you’re skis are ready for the fresh powder. You might quickly jump in the car or book a flight to get out of here. How much more does the truth that Jesus Christ came to save sinners; that he conquered death and rose in victory, impact the way that we live.
Do You Have Evidence?
In messages like this, there are typically two types of people. Those who think it doesn’t apply to them, that they are good to go, and others with tender consciences who are torn up about whether or not they are saved. This section is supposed to call us to examine ourselves. We should pause to think through whether our life has fruit. But, for those who may struggle, don’t forget to examine the good in your life. Some need a kick, to think “this actually could be talking about me,” others need to think more about the true evidence that is there. This is where it is important to have godly family and friends in your life who can see things you sometimes can’t.
Conclusion
What is amazing is that while works flow from the foundation of faith, faith is not the foundation for our salvation. Faith is the means by which we grasp the foundation of our salvation. Faith receives the work and person of Christ for us, trusting in his finished work on our behalf as the grounds of our salvation. We can say with Jesus on the cross, “it is finished.” He has done everything necessary for us to be made right with God. But we must receive it by faith. This is hard. It means admitting that we need Jesus because of our sin. It means recognizing that we have rebelled against him and that we deserve to be separated from him forever because of our sin. It also means trusting in Him and not ourselves or our efforts. But doing that changes everything. If you haven’t done that, we invite you to trust in Jesus today.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 13:34–35.
[2] Sam Allberry, James for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 75.
[3] Sam Allberry, James for You (The Good Book Company, 2015), 76.
[4] “What Is the No True Scotsman Fallacy?,” GotQuestions.org, accessed March 2, 2025, https://www.gotquestions.org/No-True-Scotsman.html.
[5] Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, vol. 16, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 141.
[6] Ibid, 141.
[7] Much of this summary is taken from Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007), 94.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jos 2:9–11.
[9] Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007), 98.
[10] Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007), 94.
Boonstra Babble 