What’s true faith? The word faith is thrown around a lot today. It can be used to refer to organized religion, positive thinking, generic hope, and self-confidence. So when we talk about faith and belief and being a believer in Jesus, it’s important that we understand the biblical meaning of faith.
Perhaps the two most explicit verses in Scripture for defining faith are found in the Book of Hebrews in a chapter that has become known as the hall of faith:
"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen ... And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Hebrews 11:1,6, ESV).
The Book of James has sometimes been misunderstood as contradicting the idea of salvation by faith alone, as taught in other parts of the New Testament like the writings of Paul and what you just read in Hebrews.
Though they may appear contradictory in their use of terms, Hebrews and James actually teach the same thing about the nature of true faith:
"You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone" (James 2:24, ESV).
James was clarifying that true faith expresses itself in works. If you really believe, you’ll act on your faith. Paul and the writer of Hebrews would agree 100 percent with James on this point. Look at the following verses written by Paul, for example:
"By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" ( Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
Paul’s point wasn’t that works are unrelated and irrelevant to our faith. His point was that we don’t deserve or earn God’s favor through good behavior. We aren’t saved by our works. Works don’t come first. Faith comes first, and works follow, yet they are always tied together:
"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).
Paul said we aren’t saved by works, but we’re saved for works. Works matter.
James said even demons know the truth about God. They could give all the right Sunday School answers. But they don’t faithfully live for Him as Savior and Lord. They don’t submit to His authority in their lives. Theirs is empty, dead faith. It’s mere belief. Head knowledge doesn’t save you. It doesn’t make you a Christian. Doing a Bible study doesn’t make you a Christian. Real faith is demonstrated in real action. Faith works.
Excerpted from James: Faith Works Bible Study by Matt Chandler. Copyright ©2017 by Lifeway Christian Resources. Used by permission. Download a free sample of the first session.
Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Continue Reading: What Can Studying the Book of James Teach Us About Faith?
This 13-session study by Matt Chandler examines the core message of the book of James: the relationship between faith and works. In our own ability, we cannot stand in the face of adversity. Without faith we could never find the strength to trust God.