Achieving Maturity through a Living Faith

James 2:14-26

I. Introduction.

A. Continuing in our study of achieving spiritual maturity, James now addresses Faith.

B. It is the foundation on which Christianity is built.

1. Sinners are saved by faith and the Christian must walk by faith

2. Someone has said: “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence.”

C. Hebrews 11 is full of such people who refused to be influenced by society’s pressure, and continued to act upon their faith.

D. James says there are three kinds of faith:

1. Dead.

2. Demonic

3. Dynamic Living.

E. What kind of faith do you have?

F. As we examine this question, please be honest with yourself; don’t become defensive.

G. James discusses the relationship between faith and deeds; understanding the differences is vital to our salvation.

H. The first one James deals with is dead faith.

II. Dead Faith (James 2:14-17).

A. Early Christians had the problem of believing in faith only would save them.

B. James tells them they are not saved, because their faith is dead.

1. Remember not everyone who just calls on the Lords name are saved, Matthew 7:21.

C. Dead faith substitutes words for action.

1. They know the correct vocabulary.

2. They can quote all the right bible verses.

3. Words cannot substitute for actions.

D. The Illustration James uses of how we respond to a person in need helps us to see the difference.

1. Solving the problem through warn shallow words is not the solution.

a) Everyone has basic needs for food and clothes, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 25:40.

2. To help a person in need is the greatest expression of a loving faith in action.

a) The Apostle John wrote, “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth”, 1 John 3:17-18.

3. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.

a) Shows that both the Priest and the Levite had religious training, but neither helped.

b) They showed a dead faith, one in which it is only intellectual.

c) No action with the knowledge.

E. Beware of intellectual/dead faith. Dead faith is counterfeit, luring people into a false sense of security concerning their salvation.

III. Demonic Faith (James 2:18-19).

A. What a startling thought that demons have faith!

B. What kind of faith can they have? They believe;

1. Jesus is the Son of God,

a) Mark 3:11-12, “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." [12] And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”

2. There is a place of punishment,

a) Luke 8:31, “And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.”

3. Jesus was going to Judge them,

a) Mark 5:6-7, “ And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God”.

C. So what’s the difference between the demons and your faith?

1. It’s difficult to think we may have the same belief as demons.

D. If your faith never progresses beyond simply knowing and feeling emotions concerning God’s Word, you will share the same fate as the demons.

IV. Dynamic Living Faith (James 2:20-26).

A. Living is faith is real faith with power in changing lives.

B. It is based on the Word of God.

1. Dead faith touches only the intellect.

2. Demonic faith touches both intellect and emotions.

3. Dynamic living faith is our intellect, emotions and our uncontrolled desire to do God’s will.

C. The mind understands the truth. Our heart desires the truth. Our will desires to act upon the truth.

1. Hebrews chapter 11 is full of people of faith in action.

2. Living faith leads to action.

3. There are many works, but it is impossible to be saved by them.

a) Mosiac works of the Law

(1) Galatians 2:16, says, “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

b) Works of the flesh. Galatians 5

c) Works without authority. Matt 7:21-cf.

A. Abraham and Rahab are examples of living faith.

1. Abraham Justified by works.

a. Offered Isaac on the altar, Genesis 22.

a. Obedience proved he was already saved.

b. His works because of faith declared his salvation.

b. Rahab the prostitute.

a. Heard the word that God was going to destroy Jericho.

b. She believed, but also acted upon her faith in securing salvation for her family and herself.

II. Conclusion.

A. It’s important to evaluate our faith as we proclaim it to the world.

B. Ask these questions

1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to god?

2. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come?

3. Do I truly understand the Gospel

a. That Christ died fro my sins and arose again?

b. Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?

4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them?

a. Or do I secretly love sin and want to continue enjoying them?

5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvations?

a. Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?

6. Has there been a change in my life?

a. Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak?

b. Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord?

c. Can others see tell that I have been with Jesus.

7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others?

a. Or am I ashamed of Him?

8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people more than people of the world?

a. Is worship a delightful experience?

9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return?

a. Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?

How did you do? As we strive to achieve spiritual maturity we need to insure we have dynamic living faith guiding us unto all of God’s good works.

Ron Herring