James 2:20 [20] “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” The word “vain” can be translated as “empty”. James has already told us that faith without works is dead. His statement here is more of an interrogation than an exclamation, and he wants the vain man to get it! He wants him to know that there is a void in every man’s life that only Christ can fill. Think about this empty or vain man with me for just a moment. The vain man’s words are empty. He is always talking and …
“A Demonic Faith”
James 2:19 KJV [19] “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James continues to warn us against dead faith. He wants our faith in Christ to go beyond the intellect. He wants us to have more than a head knowledge; he wants us to have a heart knowledge. Whenever faith is only in the head, it produces lip service but never a change of lifestyle. The individual has no works to follow his proclaimed faith because it is dead, just like he is. There is another kind of faith James …
“What Good is Dead Faith?”
James 2:18 KJV [18] “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” A lost soul is empty inside with a dark void that this world cannot fill. Once an individual places his faith in the Lord Jesus, that emptiness is no longer there. It is forever gone from their life because faith produces a work on the inside. Immediately, the Holy Spirit moves in and begins to dwell in the new convert’s heart. Faith is nurtured by the …
“Dead Faith”
James 2:17 KJV [17] “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Please note the order in which James is speaking in this verse. He first mentions faith and then works because faith always comes first. Salvation is the result of putting faith in the Word of God and not a result of faith, plus works. That is not what James is teaching. Works can never produce faith, and they are not equal to faith, but true faith will produce works. James teaches us that when a man puts his faith in Christ, works will …
“A Worthless Prayer”
James 2:16 KJV [16] “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 to the body; what doth it profit?” We know that prayer is a valuable tool in our Christian life. Prayer opens the windows of Heaven and moves the heart of God. However, there comes a time when we need to quit praying and begin taking action. God spoke about this to Moses in Exodus 14:15 and Joshua in the same manner in Joshua 7:10-11. God expects us to pray, but …