Beyond Belief
James 2:14-26
The Book of James has a shaky history. Its authorship is not definite. Many question its apostolic authority. It took a long period of time to be included in the New Testament canon. It does not have a central theme but has points that are scattered throughout the work. Martin Luther said it was a “strawy” epistle. The reason he said that is because it seemed to contradict his “salvation is by faith alone” thesis. Despite the questions that surround the work, the words contained in James are very close to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, much closer than Paul’s. Today, I would like us to continue our series on repentance and faith by examining the most controversial passage in James: Chapter 2:14-26. This section is often referred to as “faith and works.”
The early preaching of Jesus and the church called for people to repent, “change their mind or direction,” to be converted. Jesus also taught the importance of fruit being produced in one’s life. James also believed that being a Christian means that certain actions are required. Paul taught that salvation is based on faith, that it has nothing to do with good deeds or living up to a certain standard. Salvation is God’s gift, which we cannot earn but is bestowed on individuals who have faith in Christ.
James is emphasizing that faith goes beyond mental assent to living a life demonstrating love and care for others. James says it is important not just to be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word, as well. The Word is symbolic of Christ, the living Word, God’s reality, the unfolding kingdom, the presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Therefore, we should not simply hear the words of Christ but become like Christ. Don’t just discuss the love of God; do the love of God. Care about those who are around us and act in their favor.
James calls Christians and the church to go beyond belief: to be the active presence of Christ in the world. Sometimes churches are very busy … but the activities are focused internally. People become obsessed with what happens within the church walls but with little concern for the loving the world that God loves. Bishop Ken Carder shared about when he was the pastor of a large, inner-city church. Every morning, as he walked to his office, he would pass a homeless woman who would stand in outer passageway of the church. He never took the time to even learn her name, until one day she didn’t show up, and he decided to find out about this stranger. She had died. He realized it was too late then. He was so busy about church business that he didn’t have time to care for those on the very steps of the church.
James says that churches that care for the dispossessed and poor are friends of God, whereas churches that follow the values of the world are enemies of God. It’s one or the other with James. Either churches are giving themselves away to vulnerable and the needy of the community, or they are self-focused, concerned with their own survival as protecting enclaves of security. James is familiar with Jesus’s words; he knows that Jesus said, “Those who save their lives will lose them; but those who lose their lives for his sake will find them.”
Just as Jesus gave his all, even to the point of death on the cross; his followers are called to be just as generous. Don’t be overwhelmed by the vastness of the needs around us or how it seems impossible to give. God calls Christians to be generous, to risk in caring for others. God calls us to have a faith that bears fruit in good deeds. God calls us to go beyond simple belief. Amen.