Faith and Good Works

The book of James is about specifically understanding what saving faith looks like.

James was written by Jesus’ half-brother, a son born to Joseph and Mary after Jesus’ birth. James came to believe Jesus was the Messiah after the resurrection. Eventually, he became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. This is possibly the earliest written of all the New Testament books, around AD 40–50. James addresses his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the known world.

Taking Faith to Higher Level

James is a book written to help Christians take their faith to a higher level. It’s written to people who already have a faith in Christ, mostly of Jewish heritage, and who understand the fundamentals of Christianity. But those believers are having problems putting their faith into practice. James does spend much time on things like Christ’s deity, baptism, or the nature of the church.

This is a letter about putting faith into action. It speaks to what Christian living looks like in practice. It’s about owning our faith and making it a part of who we are — not just a name we wear.

The unifying theme of the book of James is “faith,” though James frames his discussion with a very specific look at the effects of real, saving, trusting faith.

James 1:2-4

James opens with an unexpected theme — maturity through trials. James says his readers will endure challenges as Christians. He says these challenges are a good thing because they will result in greater maturity.

He then addresses two seemingly unrelated topics:

• Good Works. Throughout the book, James contends that faith produces authentic deeds. In other words, if those who call themselves God’s people truly belong to Him, their lives will produce good deeds or fruit.

• Wisdom. When believers lack the wisdom to make a decision, they turn to God. And God generously pours out wisdom. However, if we reject His wisdom or, worse, seek wisdom apart from Him, we demonstrate our lack of trust in the Father. Then He withholds His wisdom.

James makes that what our Father longs to see, in the lives of His children, is evidence of our trust in Him.

Faith and Humility

Sometimes, our trials can challenge us financially. For early Christians, persecution could include the loss of business relationships and even personal property. James reminds us these things don’t matter in the big picture, and that we are exulted in humility.

Instead of letting trials beat us down, our relationship with God and the love of our fellow Christians can help us emerge with a stronger faith. When we face challenges, persecution, and temptations in this life, we have an opportunity to grow in Christ.

James Attracted Dispute

James has attracted much dispute over the years because he includes a heavy emphasis on the works associated with Christianity. Some interpreters, and denominations, have suggested that James contradicts Paul’s clear teaching that salvation is not by works but by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).

However, keeping the Book of James in the proper context reveals there is no contradiction to Paul’s message. James asserts from the beginning of the first chapter that God’s desire is for us to trust Him more deeply. A person’s actions are a good indicator of what kind of “faith” they actually have.

Trusting Faith

Biblical saving faith is not mere intellectual knowledge — it is trust. A faith that saves is the kind of faith that naturally produces action. James’ book emphasizes our works as believers are acts of faith. People who trust God naturally obey God. Saved people believe in Christ, and people who believe in Christ follow the way of Christ. Saving faith is the trust which produces action.

James calls us to label hard times as joyful things because they bring the opportunity to trust God at a deeper level.

Trusting in Christ guarantees us an eternity in heaven. That eternity with our Father includes a crown of life for those who trust Him through trials, instead of using them as an excuse to indulge in sin. James urges us to take responsibility for our desire to sin and not to blame God.

God may allow suffering into our lives, but He never uses hardships to try to lure us away from Himself. He always encourages us to move nearer to Him in the hard times.

That also includes how we think about money in this life. Those who trust God understand that this life is so short that our financial situation is meaningless in comparison with the eternal riches of our home in heaven. Christians, those saved by faith in Jesus Christ, will rejoice in their high-status position in the next life, even if they have no material goods in this life. Those Christians who are rich in this life should discount the fleeting value of wealth.

Every good thing we have and every good thing we crave comes from God. He is the single source of good in our lives, including the greatest good we can possess: to be alive in Christ. To move away from God is to move away from good, to move into the shadows.

__________________ SHOP: ________________

In conclusion, consider what the Daily Bread email message sent on 12/5/2022 says,

James calls us to label hard times as joyful things because they bring the opportunity to trust God at a deeper level.

God may allow suffering into our lives, but He never uses hardships to try to lure us away from Himself. He always encourages us to move nearer to Him in the hard times.

Trusting in Christ guarantees us an eternity in heaven. That eternity with our Father includes a crown of life for those who trust Him through trials, instead of using them as an excuse to indulge in sin. James urges us to take responsibility for our desire to sin and not to blame God.

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