We’re stepping into what might be the most controversial part of the book of James. Opponents of Scripture will point to this passage as proof of contradictions in the Bible, and people who discuss a works-based salvation will use it to back up their argument.
Quick note—Talk Scripture isn’t designed to be a deep dive or a Bible commentary. It’s more of a devotional walk through Scripture. A big topic like faith and works? There’s no way to cover it all in just 5–10 minutes. But my hope is that it gets us thinking and digging in on our own.
But here’s what we need to remember—God is not the author of confusion. This passage doesn’t stand in conflict with the rest of Scripture. James isn’t contradicting Paul, and they’re not at odds when it comes to faith and works. What James is doing here is looking at faith and works from a different angle—he’s talking about the outworking of authentic faith. Real faith. How real faith impacts the world.
If James were teaching that works are required for salvation, he’d actually be contradicting his own words, like we saw in James 1:18. And let’s not forget—James is writing to Jewish Christians. He assumes his audience already claims faith in Jesus and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. He’s not writing to people who are on the fence about Jesus. He’s writing to people who say, “Yep, I follow Jesus.” And his focus? What real faith actually looks like. How faith in Christ transforms us and impacts those around us.
James starts with a hypothetical professing believer—not to get us nitpicking and judging other Christians, but to help us take a step back and evaluate our own faith. It’s sometimes easier to see things clearly when we take a step back and look at a situation from a third-person perspective. So when James asks, “Can that faith save him?” he’s not implying that faith doesn’t save. But can a faith that has no evidence of change, no action—can that be real, saving faith? He’s asking, “Can that type of faith save him?”
James is making it clear. We are starting to see this pattern throughout James: a true follower of Christ will respond in certain ways. A follower of Christ will trust in trials. A follower of Christ will turn in temptation. A follower of Christ will not just hear God’s Word but actually obey it. A follower of Christ will guard their tongue, care for the vulnerable, and extend mercy. This isn’t about guilt-tripping us—it’s about distinguishing real faith within us.
James isn’t here to crush us under a burden of works—he’s like a coach in the locker room, during halftime, awakening the fire inside of his players to finish the game strong. To execute the designed game plan, envisioning the goal before them. The prize. James is not saying, “Do better or else.” He’s saying, “If you belong to Jesus, then let’s live like it. Get intentional. Get focused. Get moving.”
Now, does that mean we always get it right? No. We’re going to struggle. We’re going to fail. But real faith keeps pressing forward. Real faith is marked by obedience and mercy, even when it’s hard. Real faith perseveres.
James provides a compelling example to highlight the emptiness of faith without action. Imagine a fellow believer who doesn’t have food or clothes—basic necessities for survival. Struggling to survive. And instead of stepping in to help, someone just says, “Go in peace, be warm and filled.” Maybe that’s willful ignorance, turning away because we don’t want to get our hands dirty. Not willing to step into the messiness of someone else’s life. Or maybe it’s just the classic, “I’ll be praying for you,” with no real action behind it. Either way, James is saying this kind of response should shock us. Because just like it makes no sense to ignore someone’s desperate need, it also makes no sense to claim faith in Christ with no evidence of transformation.
Side note: Consider this. The answer to someone else’s prayer is often us—our good works that God has prepared for us to walk in. It should not be shocking that God’s plan to rescue and provide often comes through His people—His hands, His feet—moving in this world with obedience and mercy.
So, what do we do with all of this? First, we’ve got to take an honest look at where we stand. Do we profess Christ but see no real evidence of change? No desire to grow? If that’s the case, we shouldn’t just brush it off. It’s time to do business with a holy God.
And hear me—this isn’t about making you doubt your salvation. I’ve struggled with this myself. That’s not my heart. But James is calling us to approach our faith seriously and honestly.
And if we truly belong to Jesus, this should stir something up in us. Maybe something that we have allowed to become dormant. A light that has grown dim. A fire that has begun to smolder.
If that’s you. If that’s me:
God, wake me up. Stir my heart again. Fan my flame. Produce in me a heart of obedience and mercy.
A life marked by good works for Your glory.
ESV Study Bible. (2010). Crossway Books.
From Talk Scripture: Real Faith Works Part 1 | James 2:14-17
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