I will demonstrate so clearly that brother James believes in faith alone and you will not look at that book the same ever. I think after this message you may see things differently.
James1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ENGRAFTED WORD, which is able to SAVE YOUR SOULS.
Ok What actually saves our souls? It is the engrafted Word (Jesus Christ) not us!
John 1:1
In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God.
This is faith alone. Notice he said SAVE YOUR SOUL! There is no wiggle room for guessing.
James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the WORD of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
God gave birth to us by his WORD(Jesus Christ) OF TRUTH. We are born again by believing the word. This is how we get into God's family! We cannot do good deeds to be in God's Family. If that is all it takes unbelievers are not in need of a savior.
James 2:10-13
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James is telling us clearly if you fail in one point, your guilty of all points because the law is seamless. Can I purposely step on your foot without offending you as a whole person? So if you lie to a telemarketer telling her you’re not the person she is looking for, you are guilty of the WHOLE LAW that forbids murder, kidnapping, rape, etc, even though you did not commit those specific infractions. You are guilty of all because you can not itemize sin. THAT BODY OF THE LAW that condemns those things also condemns "white lies". How can you ever enter into heaven if your constantly guilty of everything because of one thing (I am being generous, seeing that we are guilty of more than one thing on any given day)? You can't!
James is talking about Justification in front of MEN, NOT GOD. Think about it James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Can I ask you a question? Are we saved by believing that there is one God? Well lets see...
John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Now, we are saved by believing Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that died for our sins and rose for our justification. Jehovah Witnesses believe in one God! Muslims believe in one God. Jews believe in one God. Justification means approval. Am I justified before God or approved before God; because I am good? NOOOOO WAY!!!!!!! God approves of me because of the shed blood of his son, because of the imputed (given) righteousness. This book can be summed up in on verse from
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Can a man work out something that he does not have? WORK OUT your frustration on a punching bag. Are you looking for frustration, or do you already have it. You can only tell someone to GET OUT of your house if they are in it. Salvation can only be worked out if it is already in you. James is telling us to live out what we already have! Work out = express Christ! Christ actually gave you his record as a good person and took yours and nailed it to the cross.
Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac believing the God would raise him from the dead! The act itself was a work but proceeded by faith!
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD.
See how a person can be justified before man by works but not God! NOW READ JAMES MORE POINTED WORDS!
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:14-16 What doth it profit, MY BRETHEREN, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
ARE CLOTHES AND FOOD GOING TO KEEP YOU OUT OF HELL? James is talking about PHYSICAL salvation. Look, if you believe that James and Paul are both talking about spiritual salvation, then they contradict each other, and there is no way around it. Paul says justification comes by faith not of works, and James says it does come by works. That is a clear argument IF they are talking about the same thing. THEY ARE NOT! Think about the context, it’s about the BRETHREN (brothers in Christ are already saved) mistreating the poor. He is talking about how outsiders view us! We need to live Godly lives to inspire, help, and love them in order for them to believe our report of Christ.
Matthew 14:29-30 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, SAVE ME.
Peter isn’t asking to go to heaven. It’s physical salvation.
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD IF YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. THAT STATEMENT IS NOT ABOUT SALVATION, IT IS ABOUT LOVE OF NEIGHBOR.
May the God of your total justification keep you!
-But to him that worketh not