Faith and Works (Part 1)

When we talk about salvation, we are very careful to affirm that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. We cannot be saved by our works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Salvation is by faith alone. How is a man justified? By faith alone.
However, James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ deals with another question in his epistle. He answers the question, "What kind of faith justifies?" Is it just enough to say, "I have faith"? Is it just a matter of professing faith? No, James says a faith that is exists in name only is not the kind of faith that saves. James 2:14 says, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?"
The Bible clearly says that a faith that does not produce good works is unprofitable. If someone says, "I have faith," but his life does not back up that claim, what is the profit in that? James says, "That kind of faith cannot save him, can it?"
He continues on with an illustration of how empty words that aren't backed up with action are. Verses fifteen and sixteen say, "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 to the body; what doth it profit?" Here a person gives a blessing that is empty because it is only words and no action. James says that is as worthless as a profession of faith that is only words and not backed up by one's life.
His conclusion in verse seventeen is straightforward: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." A professed "faith" that does not change one's life and demonstrate obedience to God is a dead faith. It cannot save.