As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. — James 2:26 (NIV)

One of the questions we ask those who desire to join First Pres is: “Do you receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone?” A moment later we ask, “Do you promise to support the Church in its work to the best of your ability?” If we are ‘resting’ in Jesus how does any work get done? If God does not love us more because of our works (see last month’s article) why should we do any? How do good works and resting in Jesus fit together?

These ‘how’ and the ‘why’ questions are answered in the letter of James. He compares our spiritual life to a human body when he writes, ‘…as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26, NIV). James is declaring the way it is, not giving a command. He is dealing with facts and realities not duties and obligations.

It is a given fact of physical life that a human body without a spirit is always dead. Likewise, a human body accompanied by a spirit is always living. That is the way it is. You have a body with a spirit, you have life. You don’t have a spirit with the body, you are dead.

Similarly, it is a given fact of spiritual life that ‘faith’ without action is dead (James 2:17). If you claim to have faith, but no works are evident, then your faith is really useless (James 2:14, 20). James evaluates claims to faith based on the truth that a proper faith in Jesus is always accompanied by works. A faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:17).

This is a tricky thing about God’s grace which comes to us through faith in Jesus Christ. There are works, but they must come in after faith, not before. In many places, Paul evaluates works, saying that any works without faith are dead works (Romans 4; Galatians 2:16). Such works do not make us right with God. On the other hand, James assesses faith and says that any faith without works is dead faith. Such a faith does not qualify as right faith.

There is a true faith that alone saves, but that faith is never alone in those who are saved. True faith always results in good works even as a spirit in a body always results in life. Faith without works is dead faith. Works without faith are dead works.

So, are your works alive or dead? Is your faith alive or dead? It depends upon the order you’ve embraced. Are you resting in Jesus Christ alone (not your works) and finding that your faith is not alone (it produces works)? If so, you can answer “Yes” to the questions: (1) Are you resting? and (2) Are working?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  — Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)