A Faith that Works

Everybody in the crowd believed the Great Blondin could push that wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. But not one of them would get in.

That's exactly the picture James paints in this passage. In this message from our series "A Faith That Works," Pastor Ron opens James 2:14–26 — one of the most misunderstood passages in the New Testament — and lays out what genuine, saving faith actually looks like. He examines three types of faith: dead faith, demonic faith, and dynamic faith.

Dead Faith:

If someone continually says, "I have faith," but shows no fruit whatsoever — James says that faith cannot save him. It's like a driver's license you never use. Genuine faith is always evidenced by Spirit-produced works. Paul says we're saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.

Demonic Faith:

Here's the twist — even demons believe in the one true God, and they tremble. They have correct theology, a proper understanding of Scripture, and a deep emotional response to God's truth. But they're not saved. Mere intellectual belief, or even emotional belief, doesn't equal salvation. Simon the sorcerer believed, was baptized, and kept coming to church — and still wasn't saved. True colors always show eventually.

Dynamic Faith:

Abraham and Rahab are James's two examples of genuine, working faith. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac, and Rahab's protection of the Hebrew spies — both showed a faith that moved their feet and not just their lips. Faith is like inhaling the gospel; works is exhaling it. Both belong together.