Leadership through Discipleship #26

James, the brother of Jesus, The Power of Works

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:14, 26).

James, the brother of Jesus, added his inspired writing to the canon of Scripture. Prominent in the wisdom of the book is a challenge to bring action into our discipleship. His practical approach to Christian living brings fresh reality to those who deal in the theoretical. He states that you can’t be one who just hears the teaching of Christ without a proper response. Of what value is it to hear His teaching and life-altering message and do nothing about it? We must be “hearers” of the word, but also “doers” of the word!

Faith is an action word, a verb as well as a noun. It is something we possess, but must also be something we live out. Our faith is demonstrated by a life of service, by acts of kindness, and by freely sharing our love in practical actions. James stressed the absurdity of those who hear but do nothing in response.

There is a promise of blessing to those who initiate action based upon the Scriptural teaching they receive. James said that one who “is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (1:25). A discipleship leader will live out the message of Christ in his or her life.

In the second chapter of the book of James there are further instructions concerning the action of faith. He posed questions that we should ask: Is faith valid without action? One can say “I believe,” but if he does not act accordingly, does he indeed have faith? James used the illustration of a brother or sister who is hungry and unclothed. He asks a rhetorical question, “If one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but do not give him the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (James 2:16). The answer was so obvious it did not need to be stated. So he said, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (vs. 17).

We are not “saved by works” but in our effort to demonstrate grace, often works have been neglected and we miss the blessing that comes from obedient action. To truly have faith one must act upon it. If we believe we would be saved from a burning house we must run from the flames to the voice and outstretched hands of the rescuer. Obedience to the voice of the Savior will produce deliverance and blessing.