Blueprints – A Study of James Part 6 – Saving Faith

Blueprints – A Study of James

Part 6 – Saving Faith

James 2:13-26

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

James is not writing about how to a Christian but rather how to like one.

Three Kinds of Faith

2) Faith.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

2) Faith

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:18-19

What do demons believe? (Not an exhaustive list)

• They believe in the of God.
• They believe in the of Christ. 11 Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” Mark 3:11
• They believe in the existence of a place of . 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. Luke 8:31
• They recognize Jesus Christ as the Judge and submit to His . (Mark 5:1-13).

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:18

Believers are not saved to sit and soak, we are saved to !

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

3) Faith

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? James 2:20

James is contrasting two kinds of faith: faith that saves and faith that doesn’t.

21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:21-26

Today’s Worship Song List

This is Amazing Grace

Evidence

Gratitude

What a Beautiful Name