Book of James Part 4

Description of Dynamic Faith 

• • Based on the Word of God 
    • We receive our spiritual rebirth through God’s Word (James 1:8; 1:21; Romans 10:17)
  • Only as good as its object
  • Involves the whole man
    • Dead faith – touches only the intellect
    • Demonic faith – involves both mind and emotions

Abraham & Rahab

• • Abraham – Jew / Rahab – Gentile
  • Abraham – godly man / Rahab – harlot
  • Abraham – friend of God / Rahab – belonged to the enemies of God
  • What did they have in common?
  • They both exercised saving faith in God.

Abraham (2:20-24)

• • How was Abraham “justified by works” (2:21) when he had already been “justified by faith?”
  • By faith, he was justified before God and his righteousness declared.
  • By works, he was justified before men and his righteousness demonstrated.
    • “Dynamic faith obeys God and proves itself in daily life and works.”

Rahab the Harlot

• • Rahab exercised dynamic faith:
  • Her mind knew the truth.
  • Her heart was stirred by the truth.
  • Her will acted upon the truth.
    • She proved her faith by her works.

Conclusion 

• James 2 emphasizes that the mature Christian practices the truth.
  • Practices  those doctrines in his everyday life
  • His faith is not dead faith of the intellectuals.
  • Not demonic faith of the fallen spirits.
    • It’s the dynamic faith of men like Abraham and women like Rahab…FAITH THAT CHANGES A LIFE AND GOES TO WORK FOR GOD!