WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:07.980 This week was a little bit of a crazy week for me, and I've thought of my message this 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:14.120 morning kind of in the terms of a meal, and sometimes there are those meals where we've 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:21.519 done our best to get things ready, and things don't seem to totally be fully cooked. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.620 And so that's kind of how I'm feeling this morning. 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:31.700 But we're going to try to eat the meal anyway, and if it tastes good, if it's good, then 00:00:31.700 --> 00:00:36.140 give the glory to God, and if not, the fault is mine. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:45.620 I want you to imagine for a moment that I'm driving down the highway in my minivan. 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:50.760 It's a cold, dark night, minus 30. 00:00:50.759 --> 00:01:00.899 And as I'm driving to Regina, I see a vehicle abandoned on the side of the road, and it 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:03.239 kind of looks like Charles' truck. 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:12.599 I drive on a little bit farther, and I see someone shivering in the cold with no jacket, 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:15.519 walking along down the road. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:20.019 And as I get closer, I recognize it is Charles. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:29.560 So I pull over in my toasty, warm minivan and roll down the window and ask him, you know, 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:30.140 what happened? 00:01:30.259 --> 00:01:31.099 How are things going? 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:36.000 And Charles gives me the story, and I can tell that he's freezing. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:44.739 And then I say this to him, well, I hope that you get where you need to go and that you 00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:45.379 stay warm. 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:48.000 See ya. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:50.500 And then I drive off. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:55.700 How would you feel if I said that to you in that situation, Charles? 00:01:56.060 --> 00:01:56.740 I'd be chilling. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:01:58.519 You'd be chilling. 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:04.479 Would you think that I meant the words that I said to you? 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:08.719 I'd be chilling, because I'd be so steamed, I'd be chilling. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:17.099 Well, that's kind of a modern-day example of one of the... 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:19.740 It's actually an example that we're going to hear this morning. 00:02:19.859 --> 00:02:21.740 Very similar kind of situation. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:29.500 We're looking at what James has written to the believers that are scattered abroad. 00:02:29.980 --> 00:02:32.040 And we're tying this into the story of Abraham. 00:02:32.260 --> 00:02:35.040 He's going to use what he learned from... 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:41.140 He's going to refer to what we have looked at already in the story of Abraham, even just 00:02:41.140 --> 00:02:41.840 last Sunday. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:51.300 But James, as he writes his letter, he has this pastoral concern in heart that we, as 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:57.100 people of Christ, have integrity. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.500 That what we say matches up with how we live. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:06.240 He's talked about that earlier in the letter, that we are to be not just people who hear 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:09.640 the word of God, but people who do it. 00:03:10.320 --> 00:03:14.140 And he gives a similar kind of scenario, which we're about to see. 00:03:14.380 --> 00:03:17.720 If you have your Bible with you, please open it up to James chapter 2. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:22.259 James chapter 2, verse 14. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:41.659 This is a different kind of letter than the one that we're kind of used to seeing from 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:41.919 Paul. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:48.179 James is very practical and intersperses his practical instruction all throughout the 00:03:48.179 --> 00:03:48.419 letter. 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:57.259 And his concern is very much that people live and do the word of God and not just hear 00:03:57.259 --> 00:04:00.359 it and say that they believe it. 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:01.879 Verse 14. 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:03.519 James writes this. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:11.860 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:12.420 deeds? 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:17.860 Can such faith save them? 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:22.720 So we're jumping right into the deep end here with James. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:29.300 If someone claims to have faith, this is James' concern. 00:04:29.520 --> 00:04:36.860 There's a tendency that we might have or there are people out there who are claiming to have 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:37.160 faith. 00:04:37.260 --> 00:04:39.400 They are saying, I believe. 00:04:39.820 --> 00:04:41.240 I believe in Jesus. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:51.240 But then they don't have actions or deeds which flow out of that or which match up to what 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:51.840 they're saying. 00:04:54.280 --> 00:05:00.540 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.560 It's kind of a rhetorical question. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:05.879 And he's making a point already. 00:05:06.280 --> 00:05:07.199 It's no good. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.379 It's no good. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:09.420 It's no good. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.379 And he takes it a step further. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:23.279 Can such faith, and I think we could almost put quotation marks over that, can such faith 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:25.019 save them? 00:05:26.659 --> 00:05:32.540 The interesting thing about rhetorical questions in the original language is that even in the 00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:38.939 way that they wrote it out, they actually start the question by answering it with a clear 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:41.579 indicator of what the answer is. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:44.579 And in this case, the answer is no. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:49.079 Can such faith save them? 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:50.060 No. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:58.639 Overall, James' main point here seems to be that merely professing, merely saying that 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:07.060 we believe is no good if there are no deeds or actions or works or a life that matches 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:10.699 up to that, that confirms that we actually believe. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:18.560 And James is going to go on to support this with examples and with arguments. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.159 And so we want to listen to what he has to say here. 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:22.719 Verse 15. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:27.879 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:38.120 If one of you says to them, go in peace, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:41.120 physical needs, what good is it? 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:45.540 This is kind of where I got the situation with Charles here. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:46.480 What good is it? 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:54.500 Do you really believe that I want you to stay warm when I'm here in this vehicle? 00:06:54.640 --> 00:06:55.220 It's toasty. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:59.020 I got a blanket, an empty back seat, and I wish you well. 00:06:59.200 --> 00:07:02.780 And I hope you stay warm and make it to where you're going. 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:06.860 I don't really mean that. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:11.420 Not if I, it's in my power to help, to meet that need. 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:13.680 And I just, I choose not to. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:19.259 I may say that I hope that it goes well for you, but I don't really mean it. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:27.819 James's point is this, you know, if you, if you say it, but then your actions betray what 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:29.960 you say and show that you don't really mean it. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:31.259 Well, what good is the profession? 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:33.020 What good were the words? 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:35.480 They're no good. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:38.120 They don't mean anything. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.319 You don't really mean what you said. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:45.340 James then applies this to this discussion of faith. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:55.700 Verse 17, he says, in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, 00:07:56.020 --> 00:07:56.879 is dead. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:04.700 The words that I, that I, that I say to you, Charles, in that moment, they're, they're empty. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:05.480 They're hollow. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:07.240 They're, they're lifeless. 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:07.939 They're dead. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:15.500 And, and just the same as in that situation, so is it with our faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:23.300 If we say the words, I believe in Jesus, but then our actions, our life, our living don't 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:24.420 match up to that. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:27.500 Do we really believe? 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:37.440 James goes on verse 18. 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:41.000 He says, but someone will say, you have faith. 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:43.420 I have deeds. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:51.120 Now, as much as I looked at this this week, I was kind of wondering myself, what exactly 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:52.079 is he talking about? 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:54.519 What, what kind of situation would this be said? 00:08:55.459 --> 00:08:58.860 And I, I couldn't really think of, of a situation. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:03.039 And I think some of the, the commentators are kind of scratching their heads over this 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:03.259 too. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.259 When, when would someone say this to you? 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:11.600 But one thing that does seem clear here is that the person saying this is, is almost 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.159 pitting faith against deeds. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:17.659 You have faith and I have deeds. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.919 It's, it's faith versus works. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:26.039 And one possibility, I'm not sure if this is what he means is, you know, that, you know, 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.580 you have what you believe. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.059 You have religion perhaps. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:32.979 And I have what works, you know, I have pragmatism. 00:09:33.119 --> 00:09:36.899 I have the stuff that will actually bring results. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:41.500 That might be one of the things that, that is meant by this statement. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:46.799 But James says this, he says, show me your faith without deeds. 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:54.919 I think the sense here is, is probably along the, something along the lines of prove to 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:59.799 me what you believe without your actions. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.899 Can you do it? 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.039 Or if you can. 00:10:07.479 --> 00:10:15.620 And then he goes on to say immediately following, I will show you my faith by my deeds. 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:20.639 I will show you what I believe by my deeds. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:24.500 And his, his vocabulary here is, it's, it's very strong. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:29.500 It's literally, I will show my faith to you from my deeds. 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:33.059 It's not faith versus deeds or works. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:42.120 It's, you will see what I believe by how I live, by what I do. 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:45.659 The proof is in the pudding. 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:47.799 Maybe you've heard that expression before. 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:50.279 Is the pudding good? 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:55.879 If you tell me the pudding is good, the real test is in the eating of it. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:01.479 The action of eating it, not just in the words that are said about it. 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:09.039 James goes on, he says, you believe that there is one God. 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:16.779 You, you believe, you know, you've, you've got your, your core theology, your doctrine, right? 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:20.879 This is the most, you know, core thing that there is to the Christian faith. 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:22.819 That there's one God. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:25.159 You believe that you've got it right. 00:11:26.839 --> 00:11:28.360 Good, says James. 00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:32.199 Even the demons believe that. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:36.960 It's quite the thing to say. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:41.379 The sense here is almost, you know, good for you. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:47.240 Even the demons believe that and it doesn't do them any good. 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:50.639 In fact, they shudder. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:57.460 They, they have an, in a sense, a somewhat appropriate response to this truth. 00:11:57.560 --> 00:12:02.240 Showing that they, they really do believe that he is God. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:06.000 They don't act as they should based on that truth. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.860 But at the very least, they shudder. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:16.600 In the same way, I think James is just underscoring and giving another example. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:24.519 That point that merely professing that you believe or saying, I agree with this, this doctrine, this statement. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:28.980 Is, is, is not enough. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:34.879 The test is, do we live according to it? 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.480 Verse 20. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:40.399 James goes on. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.080 And this is where the big example comes in. 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:46.560 This is where this intersects with the story that we've been working through. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.480 The story of Abraham. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.100 He says, you foolish person. 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:53.620 Or you empty minded person. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:59.460 Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:03.800 Do you want confirmation? 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.039 Do you want to know why? 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.579 Let's go back to the scriptures. 00:13:08.579 --> 00:13:08.599 Let's go back to the scriptures. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:12.220 Let's go back to the scriptures. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.720 clearly on this matter. 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:28.320 Esther is reading directly in the story. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.960 He commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:36.480 We know from last Sunday that it was a test. 00:13:37.520 --> 00:13:41.660 And Abraham, he passed the test with flying colors. 00:13:41.780 --> 00:13:43.700 He took his son to the place. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.740 He was ready to go through with it. 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:48.400 And at the last minute, God intervened and stopped. 00:13:48.400 --> 00:13:50.440 He said, I don't want you to do that. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:54.260 But now I know that you fear God. 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:58.220 Because you have not withheld from me your son. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.800 You have obeyed. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:01.240 You have done what I commanded. 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:08.000 Even though what I commanded flew in the face of all the promises I've made concerning Isaac. 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:16.900 We were encouraged by Abraham's faith in that moment. 00:14:17.520 --> 00:14:20.200 But now James is making his point. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:25.220 And helping us see what we can learn from that story from a different angle. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:35.920 He says, was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:47.939 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:54.320 In other words, it wasn't just about the verbal profession. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:57.120 I'm willing to give Isaac to you. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:59.520 The proof was in the pudding. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:03.840 Now I know that you fear God. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:11.720 It was said after Abraham did what the Lord commanded him to do. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:18.819 It was his obedience which showed that he believed. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:21.159 That he really did fear God. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:24.779 James goes on. 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:31.740 He says in verse 22, you see that his faith and his actions were working together. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:35.879 And his faith was made complete by what he did. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:40.879 In other words, when faith is genuine, 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:45.360 then the actions will match up. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:50.560 Abraham showed by his action, 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:55.800 by his obedience in offering Isaac, his son, 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:58.680 that he really did believe the Lord, 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:01.480 that he really took his word seriously. 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:08.680 His actions, what he did was the evidence that his faith was genuine. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:15.500 When our faith, what we say we believe, 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.759 and our actions match up, 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.620 when there's that harmony there, 00:16:20.859 --> 00:16:24.319 then our faith is seen for what it is, 00:16:24.359 --> 00:16:26.139 as genuine faith. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:29.159 It's not just empty or hollow profession. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:36.240 James says his faith was made complete by what he did. 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:38.279 Now we have to be careful here. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:43.459 I don't think James is meaning to say that his faith wasn't good enough 00:16:43.459 --> 00:16:45.480 until it was proven. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.839 The sense of the word there, made complete, 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.860 might be another way to say it would be, 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.019 it reached its end. 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:55.480 It reached its end. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.980 His faith was confirmed in reality by what he did. 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.799 James goes on, he says, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.799 Abraham believed God. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:09.480 And the scripture was fulfilled in this situation, 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:12.139 in that moment when Abraham offered Isaac, 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:14.159 the scripture was fulfilled that says, 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.879 Abraham believed God, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:19.559 and it was credited to him as righteousness. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.799 And he was called God's friend. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:26.680 What is he saying here? 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.159 Well, we looked at those words, 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.579 Abraham believed God, 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.000 a number of weeks back. 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:35.200 This was even before he had offered Isaac, 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.500 and God had commanded that. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:43.259 God took him out to look at the stars, 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:46.640 and told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.140 And it says, 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:49.180 Abraham believed God. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:55.019 He trusted that God would do as he said. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:18:03.720 And his faith in that moment was credited to him as righteousness. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.680 And we talked about what that means. 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:09.859 The word credited implies that he lacked it. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.879 He lacked a right standing with God. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.639 He was a sinner just like we are. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:18.220 But on the basis of his believing what the Lord said, 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:22.480 God gave him a right standing with himself. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:35.839 What James is saying here is that the fulfillment of that is seen in how he offered his son, Isaac. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:44.400 That he had real, genuine faith for which he received a right standing is seen so clearly. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:51.140 It's fulfilled in how he did exactly what the Lord told him to do. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.799 He took the Lord's word seriously. 00:18:58.420 --> 00:19:01.720 His faith was proved genuine. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.180 Verse 24. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:14.860 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do, and not by faith alone. 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:21.500 This is one of those verses that has caused a lot of debate and discussion. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:27.639 Because as we looked at a couple weeks back, Paul has seemingly said the complete opposite. 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:36.000 We are justified by faith alone and not by works of the law, is what Paul said. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:39.980 And now James seems to be almost saying the exact opposite. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:45.299 You see that a person is justified, that's the word used here, by what they do. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.660 And not by faith alone. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:52.799 How do we work through that apparent contradiction? 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:58.980 I think if we take the time to really listen to what James is saying, and the point that he is making, 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:08.180 what kind of behavior or attitude he is seeking to address, that some clear possibilities emerge. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:13.299 The first thing that I think we need to notice is what James means. 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:16.139 In all of this, what does he mean by faith alone? 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:22.420 If we look back, he's referring to empty profession. 00:20:23.540 --> 00:20:25.540 To empty words. 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:27.920 That's what he was talking about in the example. 00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:30.120 Go in peace, keep warm and be well fed. 00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:33.920 Merely saying, I believe this. 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:39.400 And yet, not having the actions that fit with that. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:45.880 In fact, having the actions that confirm that you don't really believe that. 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:49.480 That's really what James, I think, is talking about here when he says faith alone. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:53.720 Same thing with what he says in verse 18. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:56.200 I will show you my faith by my deeds. 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.840 By my deeds. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:03.280 That's the evidence of what I believe is how I live. 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:14.020 So we might almost put quotes over faith, I think, to understand this the way James, I think, is saying it. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:21.160 You see that a person is justified by what they do and not by faith alone. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:24.619 Not just by saying, well, I believe that. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.980 But by how they live. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:34.079 The second issue here comes with what does James mean by justified. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.640 And this is a tough one. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:41.880 This is one where there's still a lot of discussion over this. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:44.579 One thing we know for sure it doesn't mean. 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:52.360 He doesn't mean that we are justified in the sense of that a person receives a right standing with God by works. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:58.740 By doing enough good and right things to somehow earn a right standing with God. 00:21:58.939 --> 00:22:02.339 Paul has already argued totally against that. 00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:03.279 We looked at that. 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:10.159 And the good news is that Jesus has done what is required. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:13.960 So that we can have a right standing with God. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.240 Paul made that point. 00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:22.440 Abraham was, he received, he was credited a right standing with God before he did anything. 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.759 Simply by faith. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:28.200 Believing in the promise that God had made. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.440 And so he doesn't mean that. 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:34.380 What are some of the possibilities of what he means? 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:39.820 You see that a person is justified by what they do and not by faith. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:47.820 One of the possibilities is that justified carries the sense of proved or proven. 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:52.480 It is used this way in at least one other place in the New Testament. 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:57.140 Wisdom is justified by her children or proven by her children. 00:22:57.140 --> 00:23:04.660 We might read it that way as you see that a person is proven or their faith. 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:09.020 What they believe is proven by what they do. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.920 And not merely by what they say. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:17.000 That's one possibility. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:23.460 A second possibility is that justified means considered righteous. 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:23.860 Righteousness. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:32.960 Now, in this view, we have to distinguish between being credited righteousness and being considered righteous. 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:37.019 Credited righteousness implies that we lacked it. 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.340 And God's giving us something that we didn't have. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:46.180 If he's referring to considered righteous, then the sense here is something to the effect of, 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:54.120 you see that a person is considered righteous by their actions and not by their affirmations. 00:23:55.660 --> 00:24:04.539 That at the end of the day, the way that the Lord judges is based on our behavior and not just based on what we say we believe. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:10.820 That's another possibility for how to take this. 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:17.200 And finally, the third possibility, some have said perhaps when he says justified, he's really looking to kind of the end. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:26.119 Paul speaks of justification as receiving a right standing with God now by faith. 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:33.000 The moment that we're saved, that status of being an enemy of God is changed. 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.599 Now we're a friend of God. 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:39.179 James perhaps is using it here a little differently. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:47.320 You see that a person is justified at the end, in the final judgment, based on how they actually lived. 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:51.840 And not just based on what they said they believed. 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:55.060 Now we have to be very careful here as well. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:04.560 I don't think the sense there is that we receive a right standing with God at the end because we did enough good works. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:18.480 It's more that the works that we did do point to the reality that we had genuine faith in the Lamb of God to take away our sins and give us that right standing. 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:23.839 And we kind of see that come through in some other passages in the teaching of Jesus as well. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:34.079 You know, what you did or did not do for the least of these brothers of mine plays into the final verdict. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:39.480 Gives evidence to the reality of whether or not you were a child of God. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:44.160 And genuinely believed and had faith. 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:51.319 Bringing all of this together, what is James really saying here? 00:25:51.319 --> 00:26:01.220 I think if we look through it again, it's that we should be people who do not merely profess and say, I believe. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:04.899 But then our lives don't match up with that at all. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:15.899 We should be people who not only profess, but also live in light of that profession. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:23.940 People like Abraham, where our works and our faith, what we say, match up. 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:28.100 That's the evidence that we truly believe. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:41.080 If our living doesn't match up with what we say we believe, then there's a problem with what's going on in our lives. 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:43.000 And we need to perhaps repent. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:45.360 We need to seek the Lord's forgiveness. 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:52.400 Because our profession, in that case, is empty or useless. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:59.720 How does this apply to kind of the more practical elements of life and the Word of God? 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:08.620 Well, you know, if Jesus has given us a command, the evidence of whether we have faith is, do we obey it? 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.780 Not just do we agree with it. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:19.420 If it's a promise, do we actually make our decisions and our choices and live in light of what's been promised? 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:21.980 Or do we just say, I agree with the promise. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.619 Sounds good to me. 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.619 If it's the Lord's return. 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:27.159 If it's the Lord's return. 00:27:28.219 --> 00:27:32.619 That glorious hope that we have that he's coming back and soon. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:37.639 Do we affirm that just with our words? 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:40.919 Or do we actually live in light of that? 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:47.140 We talked about this a little bit in Sunday school this morning. 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:55.080 When it comes to the love of God to send his son to die for us so that our sins would be forgiven. 00:27:56.620 --> 00:28:05.780 The proof is in the pudding when we extend the same grace and forgiveness to others who have sinned against us. 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:14.359 These are some of the ways that I think that this applies to daily life. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:19.079 These are not easy words. 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:27.119 Because they do kind of cause us to do some self-examination and really ask the Lord the question. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:32.119 Does my living match up with my faith? 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.639 What I've been saying? 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.339 I believe. 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:39.279 We may not like this. 00:28:39.479 --> 00:28:43.439 In one sense, this is almost like God holding up the mirror to our faith. 00:28:44.439 --> 00:28:46.379 You want to see what you really believe? 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.639 How do you live? 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:54.119 Because if we really believe, it will change. 00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:56.759 It will affect the way that we live. 00:28:57.119 --> 00:29:00.179 This is kind of how Jesus taught as well. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:03.559 I mean, he said, don't worry about your daily needs. 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:05.159 All these other things in life. 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:09.000 Look at how I take care of the birds. 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.959 Look at how I clothe the grass of the fields. 00:29:14.179 --> 00:29:17.519 And when we get our eyes on that truth and really believe it, 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:20.779 then we can stop worrying. 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:27.220 But if we're constantly worrying and anxious about something, 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:30.559 we're actually living like that, 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:37.559 then maybe it's evidence that our trust is not placed in the right place in the Lord. 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:40.839 That our faith is not strongly placed in him. 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:43.200 That he's the one who's in control of this. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:54.220 Finally, I think this is a word that applies very much to our salvation. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:58.080 That's what James says right at the beginning. 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.779 He says, can such faith, 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:05.279 can the empty or hollow profession of faith save a person? 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:08.960 Answer, no. 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.980 And these are sobering words, 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:14.859 but I think they're words that we need to hear. 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:19.519 I think that they help us in how we think about salvation. 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:24.480 I know that we all long for people who don't know the Lord to be saved. 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:30.980 That we shouldn't have a hope that just because they prayed a prayer once 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.460 or said the words once, 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:35.019 that they're okay. 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:37.720 We don't want to give people false assurance. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:42.680 There's no hope in false hope. 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:49.279 Genuine faith that saves, 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:53.279 it will lead to obedience. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:57.920 It will lead to the production of fruit in the life of that person. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:01.599 It's not that they're saved by the fruit 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:03.139 or because of the fruit 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:05.099 or because of the works that they do. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.660 They're saved by faith. 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:09.399 But if there's no fruit 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:11.139 or all the fruit is bad, 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:14.940 then the question is, 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.299 do they really believe? 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:22.240 Their actions are showing perhaps that they don't. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.680 And in those situations, 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:26.059 we need to continue to pray for those people 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:27.759 to be saved 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:30.559 and to reach out to them 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:33.759 and fish for conversations about Christ 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:38.700 and not just hold on to this kind of empty hope 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.640 that, well, they prayed the prayer one time. 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:43.520 So hopefully that's good enough for them 00:31:43.520 --> 00:31:44.840 and we'll just leave it to the Lord. 00:31:46.780 --> 00:31:48.740 Can such faith save? 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.780 It can't. 00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:55.259 The kind of faith by which we are saved 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:59.720 is the kind that really does take the Lord at His word. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:02.360 that when we hear the gospel, 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:08.500 there's genuine brokenness in our hearts over our sin 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:12.640 and a genuine desire to seek and to receive His forgiveness. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:19.040 And the rest of the story for that person 00:32:19.040 --> 00:32:21.560 who has that moment with God 00:32:21.560 --> 00:32:24.580 should be on the whole generally 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:27.720 that they begin to listen more and more 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:29.560 to the word of God 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:32.120 and obey more and more the word of God 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:36.080 and trust more and more the promises that He has made. 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:39.500 Please don't misunderstand. 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:42.639 It's not a perfect faith that God is looking for. 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:49.419 To be saved, though, we must have a genuine faith. 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:53.359 Empty and hollow professions won't suffice. 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:57.039 And we may wonder, you know, 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:59.699 are we getting this right from James? 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.879 Is this really what he's saying? 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:05.399 What did Jesus have to say? 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.319 When it came to this issue, 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:12.139 I just want to look for a moment here at Matthew chapter 7. 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:18.000 This is what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:18.899 He says, 00:33:19.199 --> 00:33:20.819 Not everyone who says to me, 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.099 Lord, Lord, 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:25.299 will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:30.000 but only the one who does the will of my Father 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.899 who is in heaven. 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.299 Many will say to me on that day, 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.839 Lord, Lord, 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:39.579 did we not prophesy in your name 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:42.339 and in your name drive out demons 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:45.059 and in your name perform many miracles? 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:48.079 Then I will tell them plainly, 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.879 I never knew you. 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.539 Away from me, 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:53.299 you evildoers. 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:59.599 At the final judgment, 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:03.019 everything will be revealed 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:05.139 and there will be some who say, 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:08.059 Lord, Lord, 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:10.880 they made that profession. 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.500 Yeah, 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.300 you're the Lord. 00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:15.039 But what Jesus is saying 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.059 is that not everybody 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:17.519 who just makes the profession 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.380 and says, 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:20.199 I believe that Jesus is the Lord, 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:23.079 will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:25.899 The proof is in the pudding 00:34:25.899 --> 00:34:26.859 of how they live. 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:28.119 Did they really believe? 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:32.119 Did they really believe that I am the Lord? 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:36.419 But only the one who does the will of my Father 00:34:36.419 --> 00:34:37.779 who is in heaven. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:41.120 What is the evaluation 00:34:41.120 --> 00:34:43.660 that Jesus gives to these people 00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:45.519 despite the fact that they claim 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.820 to have done all of these 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:50.040 really great religious things 00:34:50.040 --> 00:34:51.620 in his name? 00:34:52.080 --> 00:34:54.300 It's Jesus' judgment 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.600 or evaluation 00:34:55.600 --> 00:34:58.500 that is true. 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.640 And what is his evaluation? 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:02.680 At the very end of verse 23, 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.580 away from me, 00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:05.700 you evildoers. 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:07.419 Literally, 00:35:07.919 --> 00:35:09.759 you workers of lawlessness. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.619 In other words, 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:16.739 they professed faith in Jesus. 00:35:16.899 --> 00:35:17.239 They said, 00:35:17.319 --> 00:35:18.859 I believe that you are the Lord. 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:21.319 But then the way that they lived 00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:22.659 for the rest of their lives 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:25.279 was characterized by lawlessness 00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:27.500 and disregard for the word of God, 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.500 the commands of God, 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.839 the things that Christ has said. 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.719 They thought that they could just 00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:33.719 make the profession 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:35.539 and, you know, 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:37.339 almost like fire insurance. 00:35:37.339 --> 00:35:39.539 We're going to get the fire insurance. 00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:41.639 We're going to say the prayer 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:44.099 and that's all that we need. 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:45.039 Then we're good on that 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:46.159 and we can go on and live 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:47.079 however we want 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:50.359 despite what the Lord has said 00:35:50.359 --> 00:35:51.779 about how we should live. 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:54.199 And the word from Jesus 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:57.179 is that that's not going to cut it. 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:59.440 at the end, 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.219 in the judgment, 00:36:00.919 --> 00:36:02.000 it will be clear. 00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:04.000 Some who professed, 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:06.699 who claimed me as Lord, 00:36:07.919 --> 00:36:09.480 they will not enter 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.440 the kingdom of heaven. 00:36:13.319 --> 00:36:14.859 And the determining thing 00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:16.399 will be how they lived 00:36:16.399 --> 00:36:18.299 because it will be the proof, 00:36:18.419 --> 00:36:19.019 the evidence, 00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:22.179 as to whether I knew them or not. 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:24.759 And so, yes, 00:36:25.359 --> 00:36:28.599 we're understanding it rightly. 00:36:28.899 --> 00:36:30.239 This is what James is saying. 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:32.339 We need to be people 00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:34.719 who not only say, 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:35.699 I believe, 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:38.199 but who genuinely take 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:39.399 the word of God to heart 00:36:39.399 --> 00:36:41.139 and then live 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:43.159 and do the word of God. 00:36:43.799 --> 00:36:44.679 Obey the commands 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.519 he has given us. 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:47.139 Trust and act 00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:48.639 in light of the promises 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:50.460 that he has made to us. 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:51.920 make our decisions 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.860 in light of the realities 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.599 that we find in his word. 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.059 Let's pray. 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.360 Lord Jesus, 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.019 we thank you 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.840 that you have given us 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:07.019 this mirror to look in 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:10.579 to see what's really going on 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.199 in our hearts. 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:13.079 And we thank you 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.320 that you have given us words 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:15.440 to prevent us 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:17.420 from being self-deceived. 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:19.900 we admit 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.720 and we confess 00:37:20.720 --> 00:37:22.539 that what we say 00:37:22.539 --> 00:37:23.240 we believe 00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:24.360 and agree with 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:26.500 does not always match up 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:28.420 with how we're living. 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.320 And we pray 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:30.019 and ask that you would 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.960 expose those things to us, 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:33.000 that you would convict us 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.740 of our sins, 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:35.099 even as we talked 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.900 in Sunday school, 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.159 Lord, 00:37:36.220 --> 00:37:36.920 that you would help us 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:39.059 to see even those places 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.159 where we have not been 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:40.420 compassionate 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:42.599 or kind 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:44.380 or patient. 00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:49.299 Help us to bring 00:37:49.299 --> 00:37:50.380 those things to you 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:51.480 and we ask that you would 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.779 do the work in our hearts. 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:54.599 We want to be people 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:56.880 who genuinely believe 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:58.159 like Abraham did 00:37:58.159 --> 00:38:00.880 and who live lives 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:02.380 that please and honor you. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:04.319 So please come 00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:05.579 do that work in our hearts. 00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:07.579 We ask in Christ's name. 00:38:08.799 --> 00:38:09.239 Amen. 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:09.380 Amen. 00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:14.319 Amen. 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:14.440 Amen. 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:21.740 color 00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:37.500 and 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:43.340 color