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JAMES – LESSON 5
V. PRACTICAL FAITH: ONLY EFFECTIVE THROUGH WORKS (2:14-
A. Man’s faith without works is dead (2:14-
1. No profit – cannot save
2. Illustration: mere talk does not clothe and feed the needy.
3. By works faith is shown.
4. Illustration of faith apart from works: Demons believe that God is one and shudder.
5. Illustration: faith without works is like the body without the spirit – body is dead.
B. Man’s faith with works justifies (2:21-
1. Abraham was justified by works in offering up Isaac.
a. Faith wrought with works.
b. Faith was made perfect.
c. Genesis 15:6 was fulfilled.
d. He was called the friend of God.
2. Rahab, the harlot, was justified by works in receiving the messengers of God
and sending them secretly away.
QUESTIONS:
1. James’ discussion on faith is considering:
(a). the faith of a saved Christian, not the faith of a sinner.
(b). the essential principle of saving faith.
(c). the faith that should be praised, but not considered essential to salvation.
2. A dead faith is a non-
3. How do we manifest our faith in God?
4. What two illustrations are given to show that one can have a “dead faith”?
5. Show how James’ consideration of Abraham’s justification of faith does not contradict Paul’s discussion of his justifying faith in Romans 4.
6. When was Genesis 15:6 fulfilled?
7. Describe the character of one whom God calls “a friend”.
8. Why would men say, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort;” (The Discipline of the Methodist Church, 1952, Article IX, par.9; p.28) when “by works a man is justified and not only by faith” (James 2:24)?
9. In Rahab’s actions, how was “faith” involved to “justify” her?
10. How does a “dead faith” relate to a “dead body”?