James: How to Live Out Your Faith

James 2:14-26 speaks to the idea that “faith without works is dead”. This is a very important Truth to address in Charlotte, where knowledge is often made into an idol. Knowledge alone is not the goal. It is a tool. We need orthodoxy (right and straight belief) coupled with orthopraxy (right and straight practice). As Pastor Alex often says, it is not just information that we desire, but transformation. Many people, including Martin Luther, would say that James contradicts Paul in this idea.

James 2:24 says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Romans 3:28 says, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

In reality, these two men are looking at two sides of the same coin. Paul, who uses Abraham as an example, is writing to a group of Jews that believed they were chosen and were obeying the law of Moses. Paul reminds them that Abraham was righteous BEFORE all the rules of the law. James, on the other hand, is writing to the early church who thought their theology is all that they needed. James is telling them, it MUST be more…live it out! Faith works itself out in love. Verse 20 says, real faith will have action!

To Discuss Today:
1. Galatians 5:6 says, “For in Christ Jesus neither Jew nor Greek counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” The older you are in Christ, the more you should love others well. Where do you see this Truth in action?

2. Do you ever pride yourself in what you know? Where are there places in your life that you can work out your faith?