¹⁴What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

James cuts to a biting, almost acerbic tone; he has been building up toward it. He calls the very faith into question of anyone who “has no works.” This is a startling statement in light of the apostle Paul’s equally staunch assertions:

[B]y the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20)

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Rom. 3:28)

Both James and Paul were writing under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, so how do we reconcile their perspectives? First, Paul was writing about the means to salvation through faith alone, whereas James was addressing the genuineness of that saving faith. Paul was equally opposed to hypocritical claims to piety without the outward behavioral change that should accompany genuine faith. He writes of those who “profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Titus 1:16) and of those “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power . . .” (2 Tim. 3:5). He tells us to avoid such people.

Both Paul and James keep with the tone of Jesus, who saved His most severe denouncements for those who disingenuously presented themselves as religious. Eight times in the Olivet discourse, just before He was crucified, the Lord angrily called out the religious leaders: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites . . .” He called them serpents and a brood of vipers (Matt. 23:13–33).

James’ point is that someone who professes faith, but “has no works” to back it up, demonstrates that the “faith” he claims he has is not the kind that can save him. In other words, an empty profession of faith—going forward at an evangelistic crusade, reciting a “salvation” prayer, or adamantly asserting belief—is not what saves a person. Yes, faith saves, but genuine faith is more than saying, “I have faith.” The difference is eternally consequential. James does not teach that faith plus good works saves. No! But he does teach that genuine saving faith does produce good works, in keeping with God’s commands for us. Rightly, a professing Christian whose life is not changed by the faith he professes should be concerned about his salvation.

Lord, help me live out my faith in the changes in my behavior.