Why Is Faith Without Works Dead?

[Michael37]

Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Have you ever tried to answer the question of why faith without works is dead? James provides an analogy between an inert, lifeless body and faith without works, but why is faith without works as dead as a body without a spirit?

Something to ponder...

[john1]

Some people think this means to not sin,  but everyone sins, and if you commit one sin your guilty of every sin.

1 John chapter 1 verse 8

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
 

James chapter 2 verse 10

¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

 

From everything I've read God wants us to share, and show mercy, and love.

[OneLight]

Here is some food to feast on while contemplating the question.

James 2:14-26

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

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.  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

[AnOrangeCat]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

Have you ever tried to answer the question of why faith without works is dead? James provides an analogy between an inert, lifeless body and faith without works, but why is faith without works as dead as a body without a spirit?

In my mind there's a very practical and sensible explanation for it. Our works are our actions. Our actions, or our inactions, can contradict our words. To use an extreme example a person could pray to God for a husband or a wife, but then choose to shut themself away from all human contact. Unless God prompted them to be a hermit then all that faith isn't going to do them much good when they've chosen a path that runs counter to what they've requested.

[warrior12]

cause the conscious is always pricked as to truth that must be kept and obeyed. 

[JTC]

On 4/23/2020 at 6:54 PM, Michael37 said:

but why is faith without works as dead as a body without a spirit?

Well, if your body didn't have your spirit in it then what would your body be able to do? Nothing, your body wouldn't even be alive.

Let's look at Abraham for an answer. We know Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed God, correct. But because he believed God what happened? Actually many things, but 2 are he left his home of Ur to go some place, he knew not where. He simply trusted God to lead to him. And the most famous example of Abraham's faith was when he almost killed his son to then burn the boy on the alter he built. God made Abraham put the knife to his son's throat before He stopped him.     But now, suppose Abraham believed God in his mind but he never left the land of Ur, is that kind of believing God any good. And suppose Abraham never took his son up the mountain, suppose Abraham just believed God in his head. That kind of faith is dead. It's useless to both us and God. At some point God is going to use every one of us. If we aren't willing to act on behalf of what we already know God wants from the Bible, then God knows we aren't going to act when He asks for the hard tasks. So faith without works is dead.

Edited May 4, 2020 by JTC

[simplejeff]

On 4/23/2020 at 5:54 PM, Michael37 said:

Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Have you ever tried to answer the question of why faith without works is dead? James provides an analogy between an inert, lifeless body and faith without works, but why is faith without works as dead as a body without a spirit?

Something to ponder...

The best answer is simple.

 

God Says So.

 

If anyone chooses to differ with God,  God just laughs....  (at the plans of the wicked)....  God does NOT argue with them.

[Leonardo Von]

Quote

Why Is Faith Without Works Dead?

Because it is necessary that the faith can be seen so that people around us can see that Jesus is real and glorify Him. Besides, people acts pursuant to what they believe.

[Hopefully]

Faith without works is dead because when you believe something you act on it not act the opposite of what you believe.

[Adstar]

Because Works are a outward sign that a person is saved.. If a person has no works it shows that are not saved..  Now works can be a number of things.. Charity.. Companionship/ emotional support.. Sharing the Gospel.. Helping others understand scripture.. Praying.. If a person does No works then their claim to be indwelled by the Holy Spirit is a false claim.. 

But it is important to keep in mind.. No one is saved because of their works.. People are saved by believing Jesus and trusting in the Atonement He secured by His death on the cross, His death paying the penalty for the sins of those who believe and trust in His atonement..

Too many people try and use that scripture to promote a works salvation doctrine.. And that path is the way to destruction.. So be wary of such deceptions..