“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” James 2:14

The Christian life is just summed up in grace, but the devil doesn’t want you to know that. The devil doesn’t want you to believe that. What the devil wants to do is to try to mix together grace and works.

When we try to mix together grace and works, then grace is not grace at all. The Bible says, “And if by grace, it is no more work, otherwise work is no more work. And if by work, it is no more grace: otherwise grace is no more grace.”

Now, having said that, we run into a problem. The problem is here in the book of James. And, as we read the book of James, it almost seems as if there is a contradiction. In James chapter 2, verse 14, James says this: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him? Or if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Faith, if it hath not works, is dead”—d-e-a-d—“being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” And then, here, perhaps, is the hardest part of all of this to understand

—verse 21:“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rehab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Now, a careless reading of this scripture would seem to indicate that a person is saved by grace and by works. But this is not true.

Romans  4:1-6. Here is what Paul said about Abraham. Now, remember that James says, in verse 21, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?” But now, Paul says “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 3:28, “We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law;” and especially in Romans 5:5, “To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” So God’s verdict of not guilty and his imputing his own righteousness to us in Christ at the beginning of the Christian life is by faith alone, with nothing else commending us to God. We trust his free grace to forgive us and acquit us and count us as righteous because of the work of Christ. That’s how we get started in the Christian life—justified by faith alone.

Paul was very aware that his teaching of justification by faith alone was being distorted and misused by those who said, “Well, if we are justified while we are ungodly by faith alone, and this magnifies the grace of God, then let’s just keep sinning, because we are secure anyway and God’s grace will get more glory.” You can see this, for example, in Romans 3:8, “And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), ‘Let us do evil that good may come’? Their condemnation is just.” So he knows he is being slandered: “Paul teaches that the more evil you do the more good comes of it, because God’s grace is glorified in justifying the ungodly.”

Or consider Romans 5:20. Paul says, “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Paul knows what some are saying, “Well, if grace abounds where sin increases what shall we say?” Romans 6:1, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” That’s what they were saying, “Let’s continue in sin that grace may increase.”

But if you ask them, “Does justification as an ongoing and final right standing with God depend on the works of love?” Paul is going to say, “No, if by works you mean deeds done to show that you deserve God’s ongoing blessing (the point of Romans 4:4).” And James is going to say, “Yes, if by works you mean the fruit and evidence of faith like Abraham’s obedience on Mount Moriah.” And Paul is going to say, “I agree with the James, based on his definitions.” And James is going to say, “I agree with Paul, based on his definitions.”

So when Paul renounces “justification by works” he renounces the view that anything we do along with faith is credited to us as righteousness. Only faith obtains the verdict, not guilty, when we become Christians. Works of any kind are not acceptable in the moment of initial justification. But when James affirms “justification by works” he means that works are absolutely necessary in the ongoing life of a Christian to confirm and prove the reality of the faith which justifies.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justify, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”

At Christ’s Expense, grace is exclusively a Christian doctrine. You cannot save yourself. Good works, a little or a lot, don’t save.

Martin Luther, the great reformer that led in the Protestant Reformation in 1517, had been studying the Scriptures, especially the book of Romans. He was in Rome on the Santa Scala, the holy stairs, and climbing those stairs on his knees, and saying his prayers, and doing penance for sin. But he had been studying the book of Romans, and the Scripture burst through to him, in Romans chapter 1 and verse 17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” And this truth burst aflame in his heart, and in his life and Martin Luther came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was born again.

What Paul is talking about is a know-so faith. And what James is talking about is a show-so faith.

Paul speaks of the root of salvation. James speaks of the fruit of salvation. The root is beneath the ground. The fruit is above the ground. God can see the root; man can only see the fruit. Paul speaks of the foundation of our faith. James speaks of the building that is built on that foundation.

Words Are Worthless Without Works

verse 14: “What doth it profit a man though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” Literally, the Greek reads, can that faith save him? James is not saying that we are not saved by faith. But he is saying, a faith that does not change your life, can that faith save him?

Then he gives an illustration: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful for the body; what doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Words without works are worthless.

Now, what James is saying is, what a man says is not necessarily a fact.

A Simple Profession Is Profitless

verse 18: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou not know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

The devil professes God, but he does not posses the Lord Jesus Christ. He has never bowed the knee to Jesus Christ, but, at least, that he believes that God exists. As a matter of fact, the devil has more faith than some theological professors

Matthew 8:28-29, “And when he was come to the other side to the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” That is, they were terrorizing the neighborhood. “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”

The devil professes that Jesus is the Son of God. So you say, well, a man makes a profession of faith, he is saved. Well, it depends. The devil is certainly not saved. He professes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Mark 1:23-24: “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” The devil believes that Jesus is the Son of God. He believes that He is the Holy One of God.

Luke 4:41: “The devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Christ the Son of God.” You are the Messiah, the Son of God. “And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ”—that He was Messiah.

This tell us that you can have profession, without possession.

You see, the devil is very orthodox in many ways. Suppose the devil were to try to Harmony Church, and we question him, and we say, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe He is the Messiah?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe He is holy?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe He was born of a virgin?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe He died on the cross?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe He was raised from the dead?” “Yes, I do.” “Will you work in the church?” I will be glad to. I will be a deacon, if you will let me.” “I will be glad to fill the pulpit.”

The Bible says, Satan is transformed as an angel of light. And he could pass all of these tests, but he is not born again. Devil, I have asked you a number of questions; let me ask you one more question: “Will you bow the knee to Jesus Christ and crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords?” “I will not—I will not.”

Churches are filled with people who have gone through a little routine, who have gone through a little theological exercise, and they think because of their profession they have possession. But they have never bowed the knee to Jesus Christ and made Him Lord,

Dead Faith Is Fatal

verse 20: “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.”

Now, a man without saving faith is still dead in his trespasses and sin. Now, what is the difference between dead faith and true faith? You see, a man with true faith, a Christian, is somebody who has the life of God in him.

You are saved by grace alone, but the grace that saves is never alone. You are saved by grace alone, but the grace that saves is never alone. You are not saved by faith and works, but you are saved by a faith that works, a faith that works.

You are saved by a faith that is transformational.  James is not saying that works save. But what he is saying is that real salvation produces works.

Ephesians  2:8-10. And if you will get these verses correct, you will never get skewed; you will never get confused: “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had before ordained that we should walk in them.”

You are saved by grace through faith unto good works.. By grace, through faith, unto good works. And here you see that is what James is saying. If you have real faith, it is going to be unto good works. You are not saved by good works.

Now, thirty years later, thirty years after, it was imputed unto him for righteousness; thirty years after, God said, you are saved; you are righteous, thirty years later, thirty years after he offered Isaac on Mount Moriah. That wasn’t when he got saved. That’s simply when he showed he was saved. His willingness to offer Isaac did not save him. It was not the means of his salvation. It was the mark of his salvation.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Now, what good is a body of truth without the life of the spirit? What can a corpse do?

No corpse can work his way into life.

No corpse can work his way into life. He is dead. He has got to receive the life before he works. So the works are the root and not the fruit. And the works are outward; the faith is inward. The works demonstrate. And so, James says, you show me your faith without your works; I’ll show you my faith by my works. And words without works are worthless.