James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (NKJV)
Some will say it is faith alone that saves us, other will say that we need to have works, so which is it?
I'll use these analogies. Let's say the point of belief is not about something spiritual but something here on earth, say about healthy eating - perhaps going on a vegetarian diet. If you have read much about it and SAY that you are convinced by it, the proof of the pudding will be when your family and friends see you changing your diet from (say) pizza, coke and ice cream to raw veg, avocados and alfalfa. You get what I mean. You can say everything about how you agree that a vegetarian diet is good for detox, great for shedding those extra pounds, wonderful for health, but as long as you continue to snarf down burgers and fries, it simply means that you don't believe.
Or let's say it's exercise. I can tell my friends all I want about how exercise is good for me, how it's great for my health and all the good things about working out, but as long as they see me on the couch with the remote control most of the time, instead of in my shorts and runners, they won't be convinced that I really believe what I say.
This is FAITH without the WORKS. The World calls it "NATO" - No Action, Talk Only.
James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
HOWEVER, there may be times when, because, for whatever reason, it's cool to be vegetarian (all my friends at this party are eating the stuff), or because I want to be "in" with a certain crowd that exercises, I might force myself to eat veggies or do exercise. Or maybe I'm just trying to prove a point to justify what I say, not because I'm truly convinced. However, when I'm alone, I eat junk food or neglect to exercise.
This is WORKS without FAITH.
James 2:18a But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”
But if one is TRULY convinced about the benefits of a certain diet, you will see that person adopting it as his lifestyle, forsaking the "bad" food. If one truly convinced about the benefits of exercise, he will get out and doing his exercise, regardless of the lack of external influences. He won't need to be in a crowd doing the same to do either. It will come from within.
You've met people like these - they eat healthy no matter what, or get outdoors no matter the weather. You see, these guys are CONVINCED.
It's all about the heart, being convinced, the renewal of the mind.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
Once we are convinced about God's will, His way of doing things and we see the benefits, we will do as needed.
That's why
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)
The more we are exposed to the Word, the more we will be convinced and the more it will manifest in our lives.
James 2:18b Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
It comes from getting convinced that God's way is the right way and doing it out of a repentant (changed) mind. The WORKS will MANIFEST from the heart of BELIEF.
However…
WORKS without being convinced by the Word of God, not coming from the heart of a repentant mind, are DEAD WORKS. Once the external influence to perform in a certain manner ceases (not in the company of Christians, outside of church, when no one is looking, guilt appeased etc.) the work ceases. We can behave right, do right, even serve in ministry etc. simply because we want others to think we have it altogether, not because we are convinced and convicted by the Word.
So there we have it - the Faith VS Works argument in a simple nutshell. I hope that made sense to you. If it did, if you find this makes sense to you, please feel free to refer, cut and paste, share on Facebook etc. with others!
Peace and Joy.
