I could not help but notice an incident that happened with a father and his daughter at our Bible booth last week. The dad was answering the question about James 2:24: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” He pushed the button that answered that, “we are said by faith only” and he found out he was incorrect. Undeterred by the verse, the man was still convinced that we are saved by faith only. “I would argue that point!” he said.

It is interesting how people who claim to believe in God and His word are so quick to disagree with what our savior said. This is problematic for the man, but it is even more concerning to realize that he is passing this attitude on to his daughter. It is easy to disregard verses that challenge our ideas of faith, but God’s truth is unchanging (Heb. 13:8).

To specifically deal with the man at the fair, many people get defensive and think that James is teaching that faith is not essential to salvation. Of course it is! Nobody will ever get to heaven without faith (Heb. 11:6; 10:38; I Pet. 1:5, etc.). The text did not say that faith does not save – it said that faith only (sometimes translated as “faith alone”) does not save. Why is that? James answered that in verse 26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  Who would conclude that the body can live without the spirit? The person who believes faith alone saves!

Not all “faiths” are equal. For example, we are told about many individuals in Biblical times who had a faith that was dead. They did have faith though. John 12:42 describes people that believed in Jesus but did not want to confess their faith for fear of man. We are told that they loved the praise of men more than God (verse 43). James mentioned that even demons believe in God (James 2:19). Clearly, having faith in God is not the same as being faithful.

Logically speaking, who thinks that acknowledging danger means they are automatically safe? No one! If I believe I am trapped in a fire and could die, I still must do something to be saved. Likewise, if I believe in Jesus Christ and know that I am lost in sin, I am not saved yet. This is why James taught that faith without works is dead (2:26).

Arguments about “faith only” are usually connected to a misunderstanding of grace. When Paul stated that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8), the apostle was not teaching that grace “does the works” that James said was necessary to be saved. Grace is the gift of the PLAN of salvation. In other words, we would all be lost without Christ coming, dying on the cross and providing a way to have the remission of sins.

Grace does not mean that man should not do good works. If works were not necessary, then everyone (faith or not) could go to heaven just based on grace. Remember, God’s word calls belief a work (John 6:28). The fact that mankind was given conditional salvation (i.e. that we must do things to be saved) does not lessen God’s grace. It would if one thought they were earning their salvation. This was the point Paul made in Ephesians 2:9: “not of works lest anyone should boast.”  Faith without works is just as useless as works without grace. Works alone cannot save a soul. No matter how many good things you do, you cannot earn your salvation. It is a gift that has conditions.

Jesus made many powerful statements about salvation: “Unless you believe I am He you will die in your sins,” (John 8:24); “Unless you repent you shall all likewise perish,” (Luke 13:3); “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Notice how they all contain conditions. Faith without works is dead, and works alone does not save either. May we seek God’s salvation, not our own!

Chuck

Eat, drink and be merry

There was an occasion when someone cried out to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” (Luke 12:13). Jesus used this moment to speak about the evils of covetousness (verse 15). He then told a parable about a rich man (verses 16-21). Let’s consider all of these verses to see what Christ wants us to learn.

Jesus spoke of a successful farmer. His barns were full, and he did not know what he was going to do with his entire crop. He decided to pull down his barns and build bigger ones. He was pleased with this plan and intended to congratulate himself once everything was stored: “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry,” (verse 19). God then spoke: “You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (verse 20). Jesus offered a conclusion: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God,” (verse 21).

This poses several questions for modern Christians:

• Is it wrong to build up a “nest egg” or retirement fund?
• Is it wrong to enjoy life by eating, drinking and being merry?
• Is it wrong to be rich?
• Should people with earthly success feel guilty?

These questions miss the point of Christ’s teaching. The purpose of the parable was to deal with covetousness (verse 15). Having established the necessary context, let’s explore why Jesus said it was foolish to eat, drink and be merry.

Consider this – it is foolish to eat, drink and be merry when…

There is work to be done

When Jesus warned about covetousness, He made the point that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses (verse 15). There is much work to be done, and our Lord made it clear that the laborers are few (Luke 10:2).  People often think that this means there are not enough Christians. That is true, but Christ is specifically calling for faithful followers who are willing to work – many Christian just wants to eat, drink and be merry. We must all consider what truly brings us satisfaction. Jesus wants us to enjoy doing spiritual work, not completing the work so we can rest. Think about that.

You live to eat, drink and be merry

Have you noticed how non-Christians often “live for the weekend”? They cannot wait to eat, drink and be merry. This is often why they work. In contrast, Christians should not consider their lives “great” because they get to eat, drink and be merry! Such thinking is foolishness. Christians have many important tasks at hand - resisting temptation continually, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, helping the fallen, and encouraging the weak. These tasks might not be “fun” in the earthly sense, but Christians find deeper joy in these things than they do when just eating, drinking and being merry (Matt. 5:4; James 1:27; Matt. 25:41-46). 

More is not enough

Eating, drinking and being merry can create an obsession. In other words, the more one gets of these things, the more they want them. Soon, the person cannot get enough. Like a drug addiction, these people become unhappy whenever they are not spending their time in fun and frolic. People who live this way will not be able to truthfully speak as Paul did: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content,” (Phil. 4:12).

                                                                                        Chuck