James 2:14-26 THE PROOF OF FAITH Everyone has faith of some kind, even those who do not believe there is a God. It is the object of faith and the results that come from that faith that determine the validity of that faith. So-called faith with no object is not real faith at all. Some people who claim to have faith mean they assent to Christian teaching, but that is all it is. A mental assent to biblical doctrine is not faith. Faith in Christ changes us. It changes our thoughts about God, and because of that, our life changes. Transformed conduct indicates faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is real because our desire is to please the Living God. Faith and works go together because faith is shown by works, not words.
It is possible to even teach the truths of God and not have true faith, Words by themselves need the kind of evidence that produces commitment to God and His word. That gives authenticity to our verbal professions. Without that kind of evidence, other people will not understand the reality of salvation by grace alone. We do not earn salvation by serving others and obeying God, but we do verify our faith in Christ that way. When our faith is motivated by God and His wisdom, it is proved by works. Genuine faith is demonstrated when mercy testifies to our love for others. Works of righteousness don't produce salvation but promotes peace and consideration for others as things that accompany salvation. Submission to God, to His word and even to other people when it is appropriate, indicate the reality of faith. Service from the heart that brings benefits and blessing to others is a visible way for our faith to be verifiable by those who look on to determine if our testimony is real. Sincerity and impartiality on our part may be what is needed for unbelievers to be convinced of the reality of the Gospel message. Righteousness and faith do go together with a faith that works. James gives another similarity to the Sermon on the Mount by teaching us that our faith must express itself in helping others [Jas.2:14-16; Mat.7:21-23].
Demons believe and are afraid, but they do not obey the Lord nor are they saved. Speech when motivated by Satan, is full of bitter envy, selfish ambition, earthly concerns and desires, unspiritual thoughts and ideas, disorder and evil. God knows the heart and what is real in any profession of faith in Christ. In Romans the testimony about Abraham is that he was righteous because he believed God. In James' epistle, Abraham was considered righteous because of what he did. These two views are not contradictory statements, but are rather complimentary in that they give the full picture of faith. We are justified by faith in God's sight. We are justified before men when active obedience to God demonstrates the reality of our faith.
The testimony of Abraham being the friend of God was fulfilled when his faith was such that God opened up His heart to Abraham to tell him what He was going to do, and Abraham opened up his heart to God in response. Even in spite of her lifestyle, Rahab, when she heard all that God had done for the Israelites from the crossing of the Red Sea to coming to the Jordan River, believed God. For that reason she received the messengers (spies) who told her what was going to happen. She believed the message they had to tell her and acted in blessing toward them because of that faith.