Lesson 4-Working Faith
Working Faith
(James 2:1–26)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read James 2:1–26. This lesson references chapters 5 and 6 in Be Mature. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Every believer has some statement of faith or personal expression of what he believes. Most churches have such statements and members are asked to subscribe to the statement and practice it. Most churches also have a “covenant” that they read publicly, often when they observe the Lord’s Supper. Statements of faith and church covenants are good and useful, but they are not substitutes for doing God’s will. As a pastor, I have heard believers read the church covenant and then come to a business meeting and act in ways completely contrary to the covenant.
—Be Mature, page 71
1. In the previous lesson, we learned the importance of examining the Word to discover what God desires us to do in our expression of a growing relationship with Him. As you consider Wiersbe’s statement above and James 2:1–26, what are your initial thoughts about what a “working faith” might look like?
More to Consider: How well do you know your church’s statement of faith or covenant? Write it here or find out what it says, examine it, and copy it here. Does it line up with your own beliefs? If not, what about it is in conflict with your personal theology?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from James 2:1–26 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about these verses?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about God! We cannot—and dare not—separate human relationships from divine fellowship.
—Be Mature, page 71
3. In what ways does James illustrate the connection between human relationships and divine fellowship? Circle examples of this in James 2:1–26. What does this truth suggest about a person’s faith and how it’s lived out?
From the Commentary
The doctrine of God’s grace, if we really believe it, forces us to relate to people on the basis of God’s plan and not on the basis of human merit or social status. A “class church” is not a church that magnifies the grace of God. When He died, Jesus broke down the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:11–22). But in His birth and life, Jesus broke down the walls between rich and poor, young and old, educated and uneducated. It is wrong for us to build those walls again; we cannot rebuild them if we believe in the grace of God.
—Be Mature, pages 75–76
4. James’ comments about the poor may seem familiar. Take a look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. How do these two passages compare? What specific circumstances do you think James was responding to in this passage? Is anything like this still happening today? Explain.
More to Consider: Read Ephesians 2:11–22. In what ways do Christians continue to build barriers between themselves? Are denominational differences barriers? What about socioeconomic statuses? Lifestyle choices? How can Christians live out the truth of this passage and remove the walls that separate them?
From the Commentary
Christian love does not mean that I must like a person and agree with him on everything. I may not like his vocabulary or his habits, and I may not want him for an intimate friend. Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me. It is an act of the will, not an emotion that I try to manufacture. The motive is to glorify God. The means is the power of the Spirit within (“for the fruit of the Spirit is love”). As I act in love toward another, I may find myself drawn more and more to him, and I may see in him (through Christ) qualities that before were hidden to me.
—Be Mature, page 77
5. What is more difficult: loving someone who is different from you or loving someone you just don’t like? Jesus would tell us that both kinds of people are our neighbors. James underlines that truth by saying if we don’t love our neighbors as ourselves, we’re guilty of breaking God’s law. In practical terms, describe what it means to love someone you don’t like, or someone who is different from you. What would God’s love for them look like?
From Today’s World
The holocaust may be the most well-known example of what can happen when a group of people are judged by others as inferior, but it is not the only example. Pick up any newspaper or turn on any news channel and you’re bound to find a story about ethnic cleansing or genocide happening in Africa and other parts of the world. This is the polar opposite of what James is teaching in 2:1–13.
6. What is your immediate reaction when you read or hear about people’s inhumanity to fellow people? What actions, if any, do stories like this prompt in you? How is genocide a form of showing “favoritism”? Does this mean when we judge others in our daily lives that we’re no better than those who are leading the charge of ethnic cleansing or other atrocities? Why or why not? Wrestle with this for a bit.
From the Commentary
We shall be judged “by the law of liberty.” Why did James use this title for God’s law? For one thing, when we obey God’s law, it frees us from sin and enables us to walk in liberty (Ps. 119:45). Also, law prepares us for liberty. A child must be under rules and regulations because he is not mature enough to handle the decisions and demands of life. He is given outward discipline so that he might develop inward discipline, and one day be free of rules.
—Be Mature, page 79
7. The relationship between law and freedom (or liberty) is a tricky thing to understand. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says He didn’t come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. How does James speak to this truth in 2:12–13?
From the Commentary
Someone has said that faith is not “believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence.” When you read Hebrews 11, you meet men and women who acted on God’s Word, no matter what price they had to pay. Faith is not some kind of nebulous feeling that we work up; faith is confidence that God’s Word is true and conviction that acting on that Word will bring His blessing.
—Be Mature, page 83
8. Underline all the times James states that faith without deeds (or actions) is useless. What does this tell you about James’ message? About his understanding of faith? Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Faith is a verb.” What does this look like in real life? What is the blessing that comes from acting on your faith?
More to Consider: Read Hebrews 11. Which of these biblical characters do you most relate to? Which inspires you most? In what ways does this list of faithful followers support the truth James presents in 2:14–26?
From the Commentary
Dynamic faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, faith that results in a changed life.…
Faith is only as good as its object.… No matter how much faith a person may generate, if it is not directed at the right object, it will accomplish nothing. “I believe” may be the testimony of many sincere people, but the big question is, “In whom do you believe? What do you believe?” We are not saved by faith in faith; we are saved by faith in Christ as revealed in His Word.…
True saving faith leads to action. Dynamic faith is not intellectual contemplation or emotional consternation; it leads to obedience on the part of the will. And this obedience is not an isolated event: It continues through the whole life. It leads to works.
—Be Mature, pages 87–88
9. James uses the example of Abraham and Isaac to demonstrate how faith and actions work together. What other examples from Scripture or your own experience can you think of that illustrate how faith and actions work together? How do these experiences support what Wiersbe says above: “Faith is only as good as its object”?
From the Commentary
James 2 emphasizes that the mature Christian practices the truth. He does not merely hold to ancient doctrines; he practices those doctrines in his everyday life. His faith is not the dead faith of the intellectuals or the demonic faith of the fallen spirits. It is the dynamic faith of men like Abraham and women like Rahab, faith that changes a life and goes to work for God.
—Be Mature, page 91
10. What are the ancient doctrines James refers to in chapter 2? What suggestions does James have for how to “practice” the ancient doctrines? Consider your church’s statement of faith. In what ways does this (or your own statement of faith) uphold the practice of ancient doctrines in everyday life?
More to Consider: The story of Rahab is particularly powerful because it teaches us that God can use anyone to accomplish his purposes. How does this story tie together the opening part of James 2, where he writes about not showing favoritism, and the second part of James 2, where he writes about what it means to have a living faith?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of James 2:1–26. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering the following questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Rewrite James 2:1–12 as if it were directed specifically to you. What sorts of prejudices would James challenge in your life? What would he say about how well you’re loving your neighbor as yourself? Which particular “neighbors” might he single out as those to whom you need to show more love?
12. Do a quick self-evaluation of your faith. Is yours more of an intellectual faith or one that is expressed through action? If it’s more of an intellectual faith, what would it take to become active?
13. Not all actions of faith are grand and spectacular like Abraham’s offering of his son Isaac. What are some of the “smaller” ways you live out a working faith?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to discover new ways to live out your faith? Are there people in your life you need to learn to love more proactively? Perhaps you are feeling a specific prompting to take action on some truth you’ve discovered while doing this lesson. Write these thoughts below. Be specific. Go back through James 2:1–26 and put a star next to the verse that is most convicting for you. Consider memorizing this verse so it can challenge you and move you toward positive change.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Collect food and clothing and deliver them to a homeless shelter or other organization in order to live out one of James’ specific suggestions.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the “Going Forward” section above. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
Before you start the next lesson, read James 3:1–12. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 7, “The World’s Smallest but Largest Troublemaker,” in Be Mature.