Scripture
James 2:14-26 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but
does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is
poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them,
"Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things
needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it
does not have works, is dead. [18] But someone will say, "You have faith
and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will
show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well.
Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish
person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar [22] You see that faith was active along with
his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled
that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as
righteousness"— and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a
person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] And in the same way
was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the
messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For as the body apart from
the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Questions for Reflection
1. What is the difference between someone who talks about a problem and someone who does something about the problem?
2. What is wrong with having faith without deeds? (2:18-26)
3. What do the demons believe about God? How does it affect them? (2:19)
4. What did Abraham do to show his faith? (2:21-23)
5. What made Abraham righteous? (2:23)
6. How is being a Christian supposed to change the way we live?
7. What is one way to tell if a person has a real, living faith?
