Daily Devotions
James
"Faith without works is dead..."
Text: James 2:26
BATTLING WRONG TEACHINGS
It is very likely that the Apostle James was battling wrong teachings. False teachings challenged the early New Testament Church severely!
THE NEED TO BATTLE WRONG TEACHINGS
False teachings are deadly. The consequences of false teachings must be noted: –
1. People end up being deceived.
2. They are led astray.
3. If there is a wrong understanding of faith, the following things could happen:
a) They are not truly justified before God.
b) They are not saved.
c) They cannot apply false faith in their life and ministry.
d) They end up with a “dead faith” which is worthless.
e) Others could be affected adversely.
Thus, James was right in giving time to address the problem of an erroneous understanding of faith! Good diligence and skill were demonstrated in dealing with the problem of false teaching.
A FINAL STATEMENT
James must have felt it was necessary to make a final statement about true faith.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also.”
James 2:26
1. Dichotomy
a) James believed in a dichotomy.
b) A human being is essentially made up of two parts:
i) The body
ii) The spirit
c) The body without the spirit is dead!
2. “So faith without works is dead also”
a) The idea of a dichotomy is applied.
b) The two parts are noted: –
i) There is faith.
ii) There must be works.
Faith does not abide alone! If there are no works, “faith is dead!”