1-10-2010/ Faith and Works/ James 2:14-26

Outline

I. The audience that James is addressing is a group of people who did not demonstrate action (in loving, helping, encouraging others and etc.) despite their confession to be believers.

II. The “actions” or “good works” that James is referring to is result of having genuine saving faith (response to the salvation in Jesus Christ), and it is not a prerequisite for salvation.

III. Hence in order to demonstrate “good works” or “action,” the bible speaks of, the person must foremost have the genuine saving faith.

A. The early Reformers concurred that the faith, in Jesus Christ, necessitates three elements in order for that faith to be considered as genuine saving faith.

i. Notitia: the content of what a person believes. The idea is that whatever the person believes (the object of faith) needs to be true in order for that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

ii. Assensus: intellectual assent. The idea is that the person must give an assent or agreement to the object of faith, at least theoretical or intellectual level, in order for that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

iii. Fiducia: the complete surrender and trust. The idea is that the person must give complete surrender and trust, to the object of faith, in order that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

B. The people James is addressing are missing the last part “Fiducia.”

IV. When there is complete surrender and trust in God, it will naturally produce good works since complete surrender and trust in God means obedience to the Word of God. And the Word of God teaches God's people to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

V. Application

A. Complete Surrender: Whether it is a job, money, goal, ambition, relationship, reputation, friend, hobby, Christians are to give up all things for God; i.e. placing these things as secondary, behind obedience to God.

B. Complete Trust: Whether it is a job, money, goal, ambition, relationship, reputation, friend, hobby, or even one’s life, Christians are to place confidence in God that He will provide because He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.