AUGUST 16, 2020 SUNDAY SCHOOL FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD Devotional Reading: Matthew 18:23-35 Background/Lesson Scripture: James 2:14-26 GOLDEN TEXT
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 Primary Learning Outcome/Indicators
Learners will demonstrate the virtues of faith and wisdom and indicate achievement of this by:
• Discussing why the expression of faith through works is important to Christians • Differentiating between faith without works and faith with works; • Making a verbal commitment to assist someone who is in need this week in the church or community.
INTRODUCTION
Somebody once said that faith is an action word and it is active. Therefore, if we must grow, we must put our faith to work so that we can be fruitful. The things we do not see usually influence and affect the things we see. For instance, although we do not see the air we breathe, it definitely affects our lives. In like manner, there is usually a relationship between what a person does and what he or she believes. The good works we see or do not see often reveal what is going on inside the person we are observing. Consider this: when a plant is dead, it can neither produce flowers nor fruits. But when the plant is alive and healthy, it produces something. So, as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
The lesson we are studying today is about faith and works. It stresses the fact that there is a
relationship between what a person believes (faith) and how a person behaves (works). Simply put, it aims at exploring the necessity for the believers to prove their through their actions. James wrote to encourage his readers to prove their faith by their works. In other words, they were to shows that “faith without works is useless” (James 2:20).
THE LESSON EXPLAINED 1. ENCOURAGEMENT TO EXPRESS TRUE FAITH JAMES 2: 14-17
Seeing the need for equality among believers, there was a shift when James used the phrase “my brothers” in verse 14. He introduced this verse with a rhetorical question, “What good is it … if a man claims to have faith but also has no deeds, can such faith save?” The emphasis of James in thispassage is not on the meaning of faith but we profess are the true reflection of our faith. Worthy of
note is the rhetorical question that followed a hypothetical case; “Suppose a brother or sister is
without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and
well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (vv. 15-16) Can such faith
save? Of course, a negative answer is anticipated because merely claiming to have faith is not
enough; rather, our works of kindness should prove the genuineness of our faith. Unfortunately,
we have some people in our churches today who claim they have faith but the fruits of their faith is
not evident. Those who simply tell others that they are Christians, yet are indifferent towards
meeting the needs of others have failed the test of true faith that James has described in the
passage.
Faith is an important virtue in the Christian race. According to James, faith that is devoid of
works id dead. It is an underlying factor through which a believer becomes a member of the
kingdom of God. The appropriation of the sacrificial roles Christ played in possessing salvation for
humankind is only possible through faith. The benefit of salvation is accrued to humankind only
by faith (John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6). No one is saved by his/her works but by his/her faith in Christ
Jesus. Therefore, faith is worthless if it only exists is saying and not in doing. Furthermore, if
nothing is done to satisfy the pressing needs of the poor and needy around us, what good is it?
Therefore, the mandate to express true faith in good works is relevant to believers of all ages
because the display of faith only by mere words contradicts the injunction of the Scriptures; hence
such faith is considered dead.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Discuss the ways people demonstrate faith in the church today.
2. State the effects of faith that lacks corresponding good works.
3. Is James 2:17 contradicting Ephesians 2:8-9? Discuss.
B. FAITH THAT WORKS
JAMES 2:18-20
James continued his discourse on the necessity for faith to be productive. Verse 18 can best be
described as question and answer section and perhaps the most misunderstood verse of the entire
book. “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds,
and I will show you my faith by what I do.” A careful reading of this verse shows that James did
not argue that works must be added to faith, but that genuine faith will inevitably be characterized
by good works. This is important to note because good works are the evidence of faith. James
believed that it is foolishness to reduce faith to a mere acknowledgment of the existence of God.
This is because even demons believe that there is only one God (v. 19).
A careful study of the passage reveals that James insisted that a saving faith is a living faith
that proves its genuineness by what it does. However, it will be a misconception to assume that the
purpose of James’ admonition was simply to stress that importance of good works over faith. He
was essentially concerned about true faith that is expressed by good deeds to people around us.
Therefore, believers should strive always to prove and develop their faith by acting it out like theexamples of Abraham and Rahab. Abraham exemplified faith that works as he totally obeyed the
instruction of God that he should offer his only son as a sacrifice to God. Rahab also proved her
faith through the hospitality she showed to the two spies Joshua sent to Jericho.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Distinguish between “Faith without works” and “faith with works.”
2. What are the works that James refers to as the proof of faith?
C. EXAMPLES OF TRUE FAITH
JAMES 2:21-26
As James concluded his discussion on faith and actions, he gave two biblical examples of those
who demonstrated true faith. For instance, Abraham was considered righteous for offering his son,
Isaac on the alter (v. 21; Genesis 22:12). Rahab was made right with God by her actions when she
showed hospitality to the Israelite spies and helped them to escape (Joshua 2:1-21). In addition,
James said that it is by people’s obedience or actions taken to honour God that they can be made
right with God and not by what they think or say about God(v. 24). Although, it seems, that this is
often seen as opposite to Paul’s statement that Abraham’s faith, not his works, caused God to
declare him righteous and a friend of God (Romans 4: 1-5). Consequently, James and Paul quoted
the same passage Genesis 15:6 to prove their points. While Paul made it clear that Abraham was
justified by faith in his response to God’s call to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering (Genesis 22: 1-
19), James believed that Abraham was justified by faith, which was evident in what he did. By
implication, faith and works complement each other and can be likened to the body and spirit.
Christians can be described as examples of faith when we are involved in the works of kindness to
people around us, based on our faith in Jesus Christ.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Why do you think the expression of faith through works is important to Christians?
Commitment Based on Today’s Lesson
My Personal Commitment___________________________________________________
Commitment to My Church__________________________________________________
Commitment towards My Relationship with Others_______________________________
Prayer Point
• Pray for grace to have a living faith.
• Pray for courage and the resources needed to back up your faith with good works.Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity • Let class members make verbal commitments on what they would do to assist those seeking to break new frontiers (mission works), as response to showing faith by actions.
Take Home
• Faith without works is dead. • Believers must undertake some actions to prove their faith is genuine. • A functionless faith is an irresponsible faith. • Faith in God will always lead to obedience to His commands. • Our faith and works should complement each other. • Believers should take up actions to justify that their faith is alive.