Page 17 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

mercy to the under-classed people (the poor). Also, they were falling into temptations because they
were merely listening to God’s Word but not doing it (cf. Jas. 1:15, 22-25). Based on those instances,
having faith (without deeds) that does not save means that one which does not save you from the
ramifications of daily sins, for example, deaths (Jas. 1:15), sicknesses (Jas. 5:14) etc. Stated in a different
way, if we practice faith without deeds (that one which cannot save), we might not experience
consistent victory over the consequences that come from the power of sin. So, there is the salvation
from hell and that one from the consequences brought by daily sins.

The faith that James is calling his audience to practice is the faith which is demonstrated with good
deeds. James used this kind of faith to make void the other kind by means of describing benefits that
both faiths produces. Faith accompanied by good deeds brought about Abraham’s righteousness. He
believed what God told him and demonstrated his obedience by doing what he was told. Rahab (the
Gentile and a prostitute [cf. Josh. 2; 6:25; Heb. 11:31) believed what God through the spies told her and
demonstrated her obedience by doing what she was told.

Is James contradicting Paul’s teaching (Rom. 3:28; 4:28) on justification by faith here? Impossible! The
writing of James’ epistle preceded that of the Paul’s (Roman). Paul speaks of Christians’ trust in Christ
and Jewish faith; the law as grounds for one’s justification. James deals with Jewish faith and Christian
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works as authentication for salvation. With regards to salvation grounded on “human works, Paul
needs to be heard.” But with regards to “quietism, with the attitude that dismisses works as unnecessary
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for Christians, James needs to be heard.”

Are we portraying faith accompanied with good deeds or faith without deeds (which is dead) today?

What is Faith?

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