Session Four: Day One- Dead By Itself

"...If a person keeps on saying he or she has faith but keeps on having no works," then the person may not be saved.

Word Biblical Commentary

In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself.

James 2:17

Throughout church history the above scripture has brought about controversy among theologians.  What do you think makes this segment so controversial?

There are people who believe Faith is all that matters since Christ died on the cross for our sins and believing in that is the way to Heaven.  Then of course there are those who think that His death wasn't enough and so doing good works is a way to ensure access to Heaven.  I love that this is today's lesson because this argument is something that I think turns many people off to Christianity.  There are those who think that since they are saved they can do whatever they want because no matter what they are going to Heaven and those who forget that their relationship with Christ comes before any good works.  The way that Beth explains that the Holy Spirit convicts us after our salvation to be better people and do more is exactly how I always want to explain it and hear this verse but just am never sure I'm getting it right.  I could have just written a big giant "AMEN!" over all of this days lesson.

Lisa: I'll second your AMEN, Emily!  It was reassuring as a brand new Christian that there was nothing I could do except accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and recognize that He died to save me.  However, as I've now been saved for almost 15 years (at the end of February!!!), I realize that through my faith, people should see good works.  I love how Beth brought us to Ephesians 2:8-10, where it lays it out pretty clearly.  Yes, we are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus, but we are also created to do good works in Christ.  It is sometimes interesting to me that the two can be separated.

Jill:  I love how James states "What good is it" more than once.  And he is absolutely correct.  What good is it if we say we have faith, but our actions speak differently. 

The first major point that Beth makes today is this:  Faith is meant to do some good.  It isn't enough to just believe in God (although she is clear that that IS enough for salvation) because we should be moved to make a difference.  We should be full of compassion, loving our neighbors and taking care of those less fortunate.  We should want everyone we come in contact with to know that God is God and He is so very good.

According to the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10, what is the relationship between faith and works?

That we have been saved by Grace through faith and it is a gift from God.  We aren't saved by works so that no one can boast.

Lisa: I already wrote my answer in the previous comment, but I'll write it again: We are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus, but we are also created to do good works in Christ.

Jill: Growing up poor I love how God saves by grace through faith so none can boast.  As someone growing up with little it is good to know that even having nothing we can be saved.  No one can boast about what they did or what they bought, none of that matters if you dont have faith in Grace.

In Matthew 12:33 Jesus Himself tells us that a tree is known by its fruit.  James is simply making the point that as believers we are free from the law but if we are living absent of all signs of Christ's Spirit in us, something is wrong.  James says in 2:19 that even the demons are aware of who Christ is.  So even those who know God can have Him not be present inside.  I think that is a pretty powerful statement.  Anyone want to talk about how reading that hits you?

Having read this a few years back, this is probably the one scripture that drives me to constantly be talking to God about what I need to be doing and where I am lacking.  I do not want to be like a demon, knowing God and all that He is capable of but living completely outside of the Holy Spirit guidance and manifestation.  I want to hear what God is calling me to do (whether that be minding my temper, offering grace to those around me, helping in a shelter or food bank, loving on other peoples kiddos, etc.) and be bearing the fruit of my belief.  I know that I am saved by Grace, but I also don't ever want to be complacent and forget that my behavior draws other to or pushes others away from God.

Lisa: I think what struck me here is that so often people will insist that they, or someone they know, are Christians, like the really amazing ones.  You know, the kind that can recite all kinds of Scriptures, but THIS is the Scripture that I am reminded of.  Just because someone recognizes the ONE true God, just because they can recite the Scriptures word for word, does not mean that they are Christians or are saved, or are on my side.  The Jehovah's Witness and Mormons can recite scriptures all day long, but they do not believe anything close to what I know to be true.  Be careful and really pray for a discerning heart.

James is making sure that we understand that being complacent isn't enough.  Any additional thoughts?

Lisa: I'm pretty sure I'm saved and still moldable and shapable, but I always get a little nervous that I'm not really where I think I am, which is how I know the Spirit is still moving in and through me, but, nevertheless, here was the prayer I wrote:
Jesus, I pray with every ounce of my being that I would not be hardened to your voice, your Spirit, and to your will.  Soften my heart and my will so that I will know what you need from me.  I long to bear fruit for your kingdom.  Give me strength to stand on what I know to be true, even if I stand alone.

I also named the bullet points at the end The Believer's Creed.

The Believer's Creed 

• We believe that God "gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
• We believe that He bore all of our sins so that we could become His righteousness.
• We believe that we are who He says we are and not the numbing sum of Satan's accusations.
• We believe that to find ourselves, we lose ourselves in all that is glory and grace.
• We believe that we are loved and not despised, held and not forsaken, cherished and not rejected, enjoyed and not just endured.
• We believe that "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow - of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth - and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:10-11).