What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
James 2:14-26

This week we explored the theme of wisdom in James 2:14-26.  

Discussion Questions

  1. Pastor John-Mark's take on Western culture is that we favour big ideas over small actions. Do you agree? What examples can you think of? 

  2. James 2:14-26 is a much-quoted passage of scripture.

    1. If you grew up in the church, how was it taught to you? What was the emphasis? 

    2. James is arguing that true faith is “faith that works” rather than “faith plus work.” How does James prove his point? Did James’ use of Abraham (Genesis 15) and Rahab (Joshua 2) help you understand working faith? Why or why not?  How would you explain the difference between “faith that works” and “faith plus work” in your own words? 

  3. This week's message began with a story from South Africa during Apartheid where the church’s witness did not match the Kingdom values from the New Testament.
    1. Do you know of examples where the church is living out Kingdom values today? Describe it for the group.
    2. What might be a way for RCC to more fully live out Jesus’ Kingdom vision in our neighbourhood? 
  4. In verses 15-16, James describes a situation where talk and action don’t line up. "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?"

    1. Have you experienced anything like this (either from the perspective of the one in need, or as the one who is in a position to give)?

    2. How did that interaction make you feel about the church? About yourself? 

  5. The sermon’s title is “Beyond Demon Theology.”  James suggests if we only have right thoughts about God (“orthodoxy” = right teaching), we haven’t begun to mature in our faith.   

    1. What’s something you know about God, but find it hard to live out in your everyday life? 

    2. What step of obedience could move you “beyond demon theology” in this area? 

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