The book of James that we started a couple of weeks ago has now brought us into the second chapter. As I told you before, the authors of the books of James and Jude—two brothers—were the half-brothers of Jesus. That’s what historians say. There is another James and Jude who were disciples, but they were the sons of a different father, so they are not the same people who wrote these books.
The book of James is a very practical book. It is often called the Proverbs of the New Testament because it contains words of wisdom and practical teachings that show us how to live out our faith. The Christian faith is not just a belief—it is a practice. It is not just professing faith but practicing faith. It is the way of life that Christ has shown us. In this book, James teaches us how to demonstrate our faith in practical ways every day.
James speaks strongly, saying that without actions or deeds, faith is meaningless. In other words, our actions make our faith. If our actions do not reveal what Christ has taught or shown, our faith is counterfeit. Counterfeit faith is like counterfeit currency—it may look real, but once examined, it fails the test. Many like to be called Christians, but if our faith is not genuine, it is meaningless.
Our actions define our faith. They are our identity as Christians. Every action and every word we speak reveals to the world who we are.
When I was in my corporate job, they used to give us personality tests periodically. Our personalities change over time depending on our age and circumstances, so these tests helped determine where we stood. One test was called the identity wheel, which measured the importance we placed on social identities such as gender, race, economic status, education, religion, country of origin, age, family structure, and physical ability. Sometimes the same question appeared twice, and we might answer differently the second time—revealing inconsistencies that helped them better understand our true personality. It’s a good way to know ourselves better.
But how much of that personality we portray in the world is influenced by our faith? If our social personality is not influenced by our faith, then our social personality is counterfeit. That’s what James is teaching—our identity must reflect our faith.
As God’s children, under all circumstances, no matter our social identities, we are Christians—children of God. Therefore, our thoughts, deeds, love, and care for others must be at the forefront of our lives every day.
Faith and actions are like fire and heat. Fire produces heat; they go together. You cannot have one without the other. If we have a fiery faith, the world will feel its warmth. That is what James teaches us.
Counterfeit faith is something we must be aware of. If someone claims to be a Christian but their actions don’t support it, that is counterfeit faith. It’s like a car with a dead engine—it looks beautiful on the outside, perhaps a Mercedes-Benz or Audi, but without an engine, it won’t go anywhere. In the same way, we may have beautiful churches, homes, or appearances, but if the engine—our faith—is dead, it won’t take us anywhere.
James describes three different types of faith in this passage. The first is dead faith. He says that if you don’t have works to show your faith, your faith is dead. Faith that doesn’t act is like the car with a dead engine—it doesn’t move.
The second is intellectual faith, which James calls the devil’s faith. Even the devil believes in God and knows His power, but he does not obey Him. This is faith by knowledge alone—without obedience. The difference is that true believers obey God.
The third kind is idle or useless faith. You may have faith but do not live it out. Idle faith is vain, ineffective, and empty. Jesus said, “By the love you show to others, the world will know you are my disciples.” He also said, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.”
Salt and light influence their surroundings. Salt adds flavor; light shines in darkness. Likewise, we must influence our environment—our families, workplaces, schools, and communities. Genuine faith is active faith—not idle, not detached, but involved. Real faith acts with reason and uses every opportunity to show God’s love.
At the beginning of chapter two, James warns against partiality. Genuine faith in Christ shows love without favoritism. In those days, churches favored the wealthy, and sadly, that still happens. When a celebrity or rich person accepts Christ, it makes the news, but when a poor person does, no one notices. Yet before God, we are all His children, redeemed by grace. Wealth or fame means nothing at the foot of the cross.
That is one reason I love the Holy Communion—it is the great equalizer. Regardless of height, weight, color, fame, or wealth, when we come to the Lord’s Table, we are one family—children of God. That is what Christianity is all about. So we must not show partiality based on appearance or status. James rebukes the church for this, and we must also guard our hearts. I admit I’ve been guilty of judging people by appearance, but God sees us all as His children.
I once read a story about Bishop Porter, who was traveling by ship. He didn’t like the look of his cabin mate, so he took his valuables to the ship’s reception desk for safekeeping. The clerk smiled and said, “Before you came, your cabin mate did the same thing.” We cannot judge by appearance—God looks at the heart.
Sometimes we think we give to God because we have wealth, but everything we have came from Him first. God doesn’t need our money; He owns all riches. Rather, He bends toward those who cannot help themselves. The saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not entirely true. God helps those who cannot help themselves—you and me. We cannot free ourselves from sin or death; only God can.
John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace, said, “Let us not measure men, much less ourselves, by gifts of service that they provide. One grain of grace is worth an abundance of gifts.” We must look at others with the grace God has shown us.
Real faith also acts in compassion. We may know the right words, attend church, and pray, but James says that if we see someone hungry or cold and say, “Go in peace, be warm and filled,” yet do nothing to help, our faith is worthless. Faith must act.
In one of our previous churches, a young girl used to come wearing an oversized jacket. Many ignored her or judged her for it. But one lady, Barbara, sat with her and learned that the family was poor. They had only one or two jackets to share among five children. Barbara took her to Walmart, bought clothes and food, and later discovered that their refrigerator was empty and the mother mentally challenged. Eventually, the church adopted the family. That is what genuine faith looks like—seeing needs and acting in love.
Christ calls us to be doers, not hearers only. We are not saved by works, but our works express our salvation. True faith naturally shows itself in deeds of love. Sometimes, it seems our society shows more compassion for trees and animals than for human beings. While it’s good to care for creation, we must not forget the people who go to bed hungry.
A rabbi once visited Rome and saw beautiful statues covered with expensive blankets to protect them from frost, while nearby homeless people shivered without clothes. When he gave the blankets to the people, he was arrested. He later wrote, “Here is a man created in the image of God, covered with no clothes, and a civilization that pays more attention to statues and stones than to people who are really in need.” That describes our world today.
Real faith is seen in action and compassion. James mentions Abraham and Rahab as examples. Abraham obeyed God when asked to sacrifice his son—his faith was proven by action. Rahab, though a prostitute, protected God’s people because she believed in the living God. Their salvation came by faith, but their faith was shown through their deeds.
Grace and works are not opposites—they complete each other. Without grace, there are no works; without works, there is no grace. Real faith shows itself in love and forgiveness. We must forgive one another, regardless of fault. I once read about a flower in Africa that releases its fragrance only when stepped on. In the same way, when we are pressed or hurt, that is when the aroma of Christ should come from us.
Lastly, James speaks of saving faith—a faith that changes lives. Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. True faith transforms us. Faith without change, without transformation, without visible fruit, is lifeless. Non-saving, dead faith is known by the absence of righteous deeds.
As Christians, may we always remember that our actions and deeds must reveal the love of Christ daily. May the good Lord bless us with these words as we go from this place, so that we may be genuine faith producers—fruit producers.
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