James 2:14-26

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Proof of genuine faith (James 2:14-26)

The Christian faith is not merely a mental belief, but something that is practised. Those who say they have faith must give evidence of it by their behaviour. In the case of the poor Christians just referred to, it is useless to talk sympathetically to them but not give them food and clothing.

A professed faith must produce a corresponding change in behaviour, otherwise it is dead and useless (James 2:14-17).

Genuine faith will prove itself by good deeds. The simple belief that God exists is not enough. Even demons have such a belief, but it will not help them escape God’s judgment (James 2:18-19).

Abraham also had a belief in God, but it was a belief that completely changed his life and actions. True, Abraham was justified by faith when he whole-heartedly trusted God, even though he did not know how God could possibly fulfil his promise (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:1-3,16-25).

But that is not the incident James is talking about here. He is talking about the incident thirty years later, at the time of Abraham’s offering of Isaac (James 2:20-21; cf. Gen 22:1-18).

Abraham not only said he believed in God, but he proved it by being willing to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. He believed that God could fulfil his promise of giving Abraham a multitude of descendants through Isaac, by bringing Isaac back to life (cf. Heb 11:17-19).

Genuine faith is demonstrated not simply by the set of beliefs a person holds, but by the actions that those beliefs produce (James 2:22-24).

As with Abraham the friend of God, so with Rahab the prostitute, faith expressed itself in actions (James 2:25; cf. Josh 2:1-21).

Faith and good deeds are as inseparable as body and spirit (James 2:26).