What Does James Mean When He Says “Faith Without Works is Dead”?

What does James mean when he says faith without works is dead. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. Our phone lines are open right now will be taking calls for the next 25 minutes or so and we would love to hear from you. Here's our phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 more open to questions on pretty much any topic that has to do with the Christian faith, to give us a call. You can also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today. Here's a voicemail from one of our listeners named John. Drilling will wire just enjoy the podcast a lot of follow-up on a question you answer a couple days ago was caught in open sin. I think the specific question was relating to homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

One thing I'm struggling with is how to put that scripture and practice in light of living in a nation that is incredibly nominal. I think it's over 50% of people in United States of America profess to be Christians percentage that actually attend church. So I'm wondering would you distinguish between how to relate to.

Maybe a believer in the church who is caught in 'repentance and say someone who's maybe a nominal Catholic or Protestant evangelical. Whatever and how would you come to navigate those different areas we approach that differently were simply same sort of like Sean do not associate so on and so forth. Thanks, John. That's an excellent, excellent question, and I would say that the answer is yes we do approach that differently now.

The reason this is even a question again is because of what Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 5 where he talks about judging those within the church in the E says in verse nine I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people, not all meaning the sexually immoral of this world with the greedy and swindlers are idolaters since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is an idolater revile her drunkard or swindler, not even to eat with such a one for what have I to do with judging outsiders is it not those inside the church when you are to judge God judges those outside now okay so right there.

I think what he says there those inside the church. I would distinguish between, you know, nominal Christians or Catholics. People don't go to church. I really don't understand the gospel. If you asked most people on the street yet, but I think you're right. 50% of people say yeah I'm a Christian. I think that's what I believe if you asked the same people. What is the gospel. They wouldn't be able to answer that question. Frankly, if you asked a lot of people in church. That question tragically and what is the gospel. They have a hard time answering that question, but I would distinguish between those individuals who I would still engage in and be a people outside of the church were just nominal Christians was a yeah I want to spend time with that person.

I want them to understand what the gospel is and and embrace it right. And so, though there's opportunity here, whereas I would see somebody different. Who's maybe a member in the church in the church of a brother or sister in the church that they've taken the membership class that they know they been a part of the worshiping, commuting, then all this and they begin to drift further and further away and start to engage in in sinful behavior very openly very outwardly that person I think is the person that Paul has in mind in first Corinthians 5.

In that situation that many says I don't even eat with that person and again that the idea here with this sort of distancing yourself from the individual is not is not to be cruel is not to be cold it's your trying to help this person to see that that there there living in a way that puts their aerosol and payroll them in your your your your ear in danger, spiritually speaking, your what you're doing is is destructive to yourself to the people around you and you don't see it and I can't just continue to eat with you and hang out like everything is fine while your diving headlong into sin and turning away from Jesus can't do that. And so that's why that's what we do that, but the hope with church discipline is always that restoration would come that healing that repentance would come in so I would distinguish between someone in the church as a member of the church begins to live in this way, and in that case is no distant yourself, Paul says, I would distinguish from that person from the person who's just asserted nominal and they say they are Christian but but you know maybe that that means that they went to church decades ago are they asked Jesus into their heart at some conference or whatnot, but they were, they really don't understand the gospel never been a part of the worshiping community and and just aren't Christians.

They live by.

Santa Cruz was very clear if this person is not a believer in that situation.

Felipe, let's let's engage that person. Let's have them over for dinner. Let's spend time together.

Try to bring them into the church in truly understanding the gospel and so thank you again John for your very thoughtful question and may God give you wisdom as you engage the people around you in your life.

Great explanation. Thanks for that. A girl this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez would love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Christian life. Maybe something that's going on in your personal life. You're kind of trying to navigate how to walk it out how to walk out your faith during your current circumstances. Would love to hear from you. Here's the phone number is 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 the core go to Greg calling in from Illinois.

Greg what your question for a drill Baptist Church Markel King James Bible is preached, but we are not King James only church we have also involved in a Christian school and an administrator this year was King James only, and it was just lots of strife. Because of that just questions about things like legalism to me that they're dealing with here.

Yeah Greg so there are there are Christians out there who think that the only translation that you can use is the King James version of the Bible. The authorized version of the Bible and the same is this the one that God preserved supernaturally for our use these other translations you know they just date date that you know they don't meet the same standard. I mean, I disagree with that. I think ultimately and we believe that the original autographs, we say that the original writings of the apostles and prophets. They were inspired and we have manuscripts of the hundreds and thousands of manuscripts based off of the originals and we do the work of what's called textual criticism to get a clear understanding of of the biblical text. I think we can be confident in the Scriptures.

Different translations like the NIV the NASB the ESV which is the one that I use the new King James of the King James version you that they have different strengths and and sometimes different weaknesses but but I think I think generally speaking, your to be okay with with any one of those and I think it's helpful to use different translations at times. If you if you have a question. Oftentimes, at least in the ESV that I use. For example, if there is if there is a question of textual criticism or interpretation. You know with it.

With regard to the manuscript evidence will be a little footnote that you can look at there and so I encourage people to use. You know, if you're not gonna study Greek and Hebrew and go to seminary do all that. I don't think it you have to in order to to you no benefit from in and read the Scriptures and and receive them as the authoritative word of God for you, but you're not good. I encourage people to use you know different you know a handful of different translations. Your studying the Bible and in your digging into the Scriptures and and I think that's that's a blessing that can be of benefit to you. But when people say what you have to use this one. This is the inspired version.

I just think there's there's really no serious justification for then and sometimes it can be legalism.

Greg and may be an indication that there are other issues there with the church that that also.

You know, take such a strong view on on other translations you have to use the King James version of the Bible. So that would give me some cause for concern and it sounds like it's giving you some cause for concern as well. These are the kinds of things. I think it would. We don't need to divide over it's it's so unfortunate in the church oftentimes were not focused on the core doctrines of the Christian faith, but were getting in arguments and dividing over you will use the ESV and that's it.

That's a really big problem in in my book inside, they got it. We just have to be careful here that that were not doing that and were focusing on the main thing I and I hope that you will do that with your family, brother, thank you for your question and I may Lord bless you guys a question.

Thank you so much for: and this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez summer vacation is here for a lot of kids and families will be on the road and families looking for something to do when we actually have a great idea to help your kids get into the Bible this summer yet as you plan trips with your with your family this summer. Be sure to to continue to go to the Lord to continue to study Scripture, even as your desert taking a break from work and getting away may be going to the beach or going to the mountains and that we made a brand-new resource for you to help you get into the warden to encourage each other as a family.

It's called 10 verses to memorize as a family this summer.

It's a free resource that doesn't just give you important versus I think of the Bible for you to memorize with your family, but also give you some explanation of those verses. Thinking through what what they mean for us why it's important for us to memorize these these texts of Scripture and so get a hold of of this resource. Again, it's free and it's over it. Core, Christianity.com social reader from the King James, thus saith the Lord, or should we do it for another. I mean if if you wanted to sound real fancy like the King James of that site. That's how you know you're really serious when it comes to prayer as you are saying you know I'm using the old old King James is yeah that's right that's right you could find that by going to core Christianity.com/offers and look for 10 verses to memorize as a family this summer. Great, wonderful, free resource for you. Would love to get into your families a handsome summer so please take advantage that we do receive voicemails and emails here at core, Christianity, and you can feel free to leave us a voicemail anytime or email us. Here's an email we received from one of our listeners named Hunter he says, what does faith without works is dead mean I've heard some people interpret this as meaning that your faith in Jesus Christ isn't useful to anyone. If you don't have works.

I believe we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ and I'm confused about how faith and works is dead fits into that yet will. You're right that we are saved by grace through faith in me that's what the apostle Paul says very clearly in Ephesians chapter 2 that you said that some people say will you know when when you say I have faith but I don't have work she's basically useless for everybody else around me. That's kind of the point that James is making in James chapter 2 beginning in verse 14 he says what good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works can that faith save him connect that kind of fading of the kind of fate that is just empty. If you will know works doesn't change a person. If a brother or sister. He goes on to say is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food 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 so also faith by itself, it does not have works, is dead then goes on to say in verse 26 actually was the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Now I think the way I unpack this is works are different from faith amino FedEx you can just think of verse 26 in a word, work vulgar James excuse me, draws us analogy between faith and works in the body and the spirit. I met two different things here. Faith is not works in one of the big problems I think, out there in the church today is it people confound those to the unity they they talk about faith as if it was a work which at the end of the day undermines the very gospel not saved by our works, but saving faith true faith in Jesus Christ shows itself as true faith by works, you know who we believe in Jesus Christ, we receive him for our justification. Faith is not a work it's it's an empty hand that receives the grace of God freely monthly gift of the Holy Spirit, but that that free gift that we receive by the spirit of God living inside of us. Justification that spirit, the Holy Spirit is to continue to work in us both. That did transform our wills boats that would work to serve the Lord and that's what's happening in the Christian life. We call it sanctification, and so there's no contradiction. I think between James and Paul the apostle Paul makes it very clear that were justified by faith alone.

I think James is talking about is essentially not justification before God with the way other people around you know of our brothers and sisters showing forth the legitimacy of our faith that you know we got it we got a question earlier in a semi-calling in about nominal Christianity you know people who just say oh yeah by believe in Jesus but their faith in Christ really doesn't give you can tell they believe and she's nothing is nothing is change that is a serious problem and and I would say that that's not true faith. That's not a real understanding of who Jesus is and what he's done for you because true faith does exhibit itself in and works in in a life gripped by the grace of God. Of course we we you know we still sin every day and thought, word, and indeed were not. Whatever sinless this side of heaven, but we are growing in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and God promises to to work in us and to sanctify us, and so that's the reality for the justified and and I think that's what James is getting at in James chapter 2. Thanks that question very helpful explanation. Thanks so much for that intro. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith. Or maybe you're struggling in some way, we are more than happy to take your call. Here's the number 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 Paul in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Paul what your question for atrial like what do it fraternal organization like the Chronicle. There's a particular person in my Bible study that part of a group called Odd Fellows so I was just curious if by any chance if you knew anything about this group is would be considered as dangerous as the dog methodical that a Christian maybe should be involved in it. If you knew anything about it, but I realized that you may not know too much about it as I'm having a hard time finding information on a ball. Thank you for that question. I think that I would say two things about these kinds of organizations one with regard to the Freemasons and I've heard people say, well, boy, that they're all about doing good and acts of charity and service, and even this idea of a higher power. And so in that sense you and aren't aren't they good is just kind of similar thing to Christianity on Mars or fits right in line with Christianity but but my concern is when you have organizations that they just are sort of the sort of nebulous spirituality you know do good and yes there is a higher power. Let's let's derive some principles from from the Bible from Scripture. All of us are kind of worshiping the same God in different ways. I think I think I can that get comes off as a relative lysing the truth because it is just about very Christianity isn't just about morality and doing good and believing in a higher power. It's about the God who has broke into human history. If you will, to redeem his people in a very specific way by sending his son into the world to die for our sins so that we might have eternal life, and apart from that message. The message of the gospel, we are lost and so any organization.

I think that relative eyes is that message or Ursus was that's not the most important thing I would have serious concerns with that or are we focused on individually in our own lives as Christians on the truth of God's word and of the gospel are we receiving God's words it's meant to be received is as God's authoritative revelation for us. That should direct our steps and guide our lives. And so that's that's the first thing in one concern that I have organizations like this, the other the other pieces first and foremost you know you we we love our families God has called us to love our families and then in the local church. This body that were part of United to brothers and sisters in Christ through holy baptism through the blood of Jesus. And that's the other thing that we know. I'm not saying it's it's there's a problem with being a part of you know your your bowling league are or what not that kind of thing but I but I wonder if Fort for some people association with these kinds of groups and societies doesn't take precedent over even there their Christian faith and again part of that gets gets back to their relative lysing of a minimizing of the truth of Scripture of the centrality of the gospel of the importance of the local church and so those are the questions that I would have foreign individuals is what is your focus and and what you who are you primarily is as a believer when united to Jesus Christ, a part of the body of Christ and those are I think some of the key questions to to ask, but as as you say, you know there's a lot of sort of mystery associated with these. With these groups and an II just personally by me would would would avoid it. And so appreciate your question.

Hope you can have some good conversations with this with his brother who's in your Bible said maybe get some more insight and at the end of the day what you want to do for the both of you is just be rooted in the Scriptures and and have that be the priority. The priority the gospel and growing together in the body of Christ, thanks for that intro. This is core Christianity.

I had our phone line is open if you got a call I got a question about the Christian life or how to walk in the faith on a daily basis. Here's the phone number is 833 the core by the way were to be recording a second program today after our live program and so you actually have about 35 minutes or so. If you got a question were able to: during the live show. Feel free to call in during the next 35 minutes at 833-843-2670 3833 the core go to Johnny in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Johnny, what's your question for atrial. Well, have a problem with the kind of address this general but I wanted your input on what you felt about people saying that there Christians and their eternally secure so that they don't act like Christians say they use do whatever they want and if you want to do what I want to jump secure and I just wanted your feelings about these people saying there secure and I don't even act like their Christian yes it's a huge problem. Johnny and in you by your I would talk about it a little bit, but it such a big issue I think it's one of the reasons that he keeps on coming up and there there is to sort of false theology out there.

Of this, this I know what you mean easy believe is him you sort of you make a decision for Jesus, and you get your fire insurance and and then you go and live however you want, and you, Diane Bowyer, you're getting to heaven just because you accepted Jesus into your heart.

Even though you lived in rebellion to him. Your entire life and and so I would say if a person truly believes in Jesus Christ.

They have eternal life. John says that in first John chapter 5 when we believe we receive Christ for our justification. That's not something that's that's undone that God takes away the issue is I think there are a lot of people who think they believe or say they believe, but it's a sort of what we might call historical fate that they believe in Jesus like they believe that Abraham Lincoln existed there, not trusting in Christ for their justification and the forgiveness of their sins and the evidence of that is that they just love their sin. Still, they don't care about Jesus there looking for, you know, some kind of a ticket to heaven. That kind of thing, but they could care less about who Christ is what Christ is done to put away their sins. Instead, they're just going to continue living the way that they want to live and maybe trying to use Jesus will Jesus is not to be used in that way.

He came to serve us and to save us, and he washes us from our sins. And should we continue in sin that grace may abound Paul says in Romans chapter 6 by no means Paul in first Corinthians chapter 6 is do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor violators nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God and such were some of you. He says to the Corinthians, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God as Christians were going to continue to struggle with sin throughout our entire life and it's obvious you read the book of first Corinthians mean the yes bulk and save them. Such were some you used to be. Some of these things, but they continued to struggle. He said that there their fleshly. They had these divisions of the unit within the church in Corinth. There were these issues of sexual sin, sexual immorality, so there were significant issues, but there's a struggle, because the Spirit of God lives in us and convicts us of sin and is drawing us closer to Jesus to to God through the word, and so you know I I think we want to be vigilant. We want to be wise here in and we were talking to somebody who's just saying oh yeah, I believe in Jesus but II you know live. However, I want that we challenge that and says that what is that what it means.

What would you say I believe in Jesus what you mean by who is Jesus. What did Jesus do for you, and I think that's okay getting that that that's so important and so when we when we miss that. I think I think many people are led astray and there there there there led to believe that they can reject Jesus.

Their entire life. Maybe they said a prayer at some point in and everything is going to be fine. No, they're in for a rude awakening. As we call them to repentance into true faith to receive Christ for salvation for the forgiveness of their sins. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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