Faith Alone
In the second half of James 2, the relationship between faith and works is examined. In verse 24 James writes, “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” When we understand this verse in context we understand “good works” are a natural out flowing of the faith within us. When we receive the incredible grace of God by faith, it is only natural we will want to live lives that honor the Savior. We honor the Savior through good works.
Another way to understand this section of Scripture is to understand that faith alone does not save us. There is a danger of putting our faith in faith. Putting my faith in faith will not save me. Let me explain.
Imagine you went overboard on a ship at sea. Having faith you will be alright is not going to save you. You can be hopeful all you want. Your faith needs to be put in the life preserver thrown out to you from the ship. Faith is the act of reaching out and taking hold of the life preserver. In order for faith to be beneficial, faith needs an object to grab hold of. In the case of this illustration it is the life preserver, attached to the lifeline, attached to the ship.
When it comes to our salvation from sin, having faith we will go to heaven is not enough. Our faith needs to have an object. So we put our faith in Jesus the Christ and his “good work” done upon the cross. There needs to be more than simply believing I will go to heaven. It is trusting the one who has prepared a place for me there. Jesus is my lifeline! Not my faith!
There are many people in this world who have faith they are going to heaven, but nothing more. There is nothing their faith clings and holds on to. Another way of describing this type of faith is to say they are hoping for the best. It is like holding on to a life preserver attached to nothing in the middle of the ocean. There is not much hope. I am adrift. The life preserve alone only gives me a false sense of security.
So where is your faith placed? Is it in the Savior? It it wishful thinking? Are you simply hoping for the best? Or are you trusting Jesus?
Have a great week. As a reminder our Haiti and Chile Earthquake Relief efforts kick off this Sunday. For more information check out www.lolchurch.net/haiti
Pastor Phil, what a good explanation of James 2:24
It comes back to the 18″ from our head to our heart.
It needs to be more than head knowledge and it is sad to hear how many people think all they need to do is just say that they are going to heaven with out realizing that it’s
the trusting faith in Jesus as Savior and the “works” flow from the result of that faith.