What is “that faith”?
This isn’t about whether salvation is by faith alone. Of course it is. This is about, “What is saving faith?” That’s why James says, “that faith,” instead of just, “faith.”
James is making it clear that faith without works is not saving faith.
Okay, but why?
Gaining saving faith is much more than just changing your mind on an issue of doctrine. It’s a Holy Spirit-driven transformation. A transformed person acts like a transformed person. Someone who doesn’t act transformed, isn’t transformed.
Okay, but transformation of what?
Character, self, sense of self, attitude. It’s systemic.
Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. — Ephesians 4:22b–24 (ESV)
This wouldn’t be such a confusing issue for Americans if we hadn’t watered down the gospel so much. We tend to think of the sinner’s prayer as some kind of magical phrase that saves.
That’s not what it is.
Then what is it?
It’s supposed to be a sinner announcing his change. The change is from self-focus to kingdom-focus. “Jesus is Lord” is a pledge of loyalty, not merely a statement of fact.
The new self is a team player with a team agenda. “Looking out for number one” no longer means what it used to mean.
So, you can tell who’s changed just by lookin’ at ‘em, right?
Right, but then James goes nuclear. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
‘Scuse me, but doesn’t “sola fide” mean that faith yields eternal life? Doesn’t faith, even without works, at least initiate eternal life?
Can’t such a person be “getting close” or something like that? Can’t the works get going as the new Christian grows in maturity?
James explicitly shoots that idea down. Faith without works has no life in it at all.
Okay, then I really don’t get this. Doesn’t something grow? Should we really look for the same kind of works in a new Christian that we look for in mature ones?
Bingo. Yes, something grows, but yes, we should look for the same “kind” of works from new Christians.
So, how’s that okay?
Because being “good at” being a Christian is not what matters. Having the right “team spirit”, is what makes you a team member.
Let’s not get hung up on the definition of the word “kind” here. New Christians can be downright comically bad at their works. What’s important is that their heart is in the right place.
This is a complex subject, and getting educated can be remarkably difficult, but two excellent books on how to do good works well are: When Helping Hurts and Toxic Charity.
Wow, those are head-slapping titles.
Well, even a world-class soccer player can score an own-goal. Having your heart in the right place is a clear sign of faith, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cause a lot of harm.
One of the curious aspects of Christianity is the immense amount of training that’s involved—and not just about doctrine. Beginner Christians have a lot to learn. Of course, we all do.
In fact, one of the main “works” that Christians should pay attention to is working on their own growth. If a Christian (new or mature) starts thinking that they’ve “arrived,” that should set off alarm bells.
Personal growth, or as I’ve already labeled it “sanctification,” is a lifelong process. Every Christian should be setting goals for growth.
I wish everyone would take their New Year’s resolutions more seriously. That includes me.
Me too. So, does this make sense now?
Yeah. Let’s keep going tomorrow.
