What Kind of Faith
Jerry Watts
James 2:14-25
The last time we studied together he studied this saying text. However, the title of the message was ‘‘the proof of faith’’. As we read these verses we spoke of the examination of faith, the expectation of faith, the explanation of faith, and the examples of faith. When I came back to James, in my heart I know there’s so much more here than just what we talked about last time, so let’s look add verses 14 through 25 more town and I asked this question, ‘‘what kind of faith do I have?’’
We live in an age that I would call the menu age. To explain this, I would simply say that we prefer to have a menu or list of choices. From eating to education, we prefer to choose. Honestly, we can’t imagine life without choices (unlike other countries where they are like we ‘used to be’.)
To ask the question, ‘‘What Kind of Faith Do I Have?’’ is to admit we have choices. This passage speaks of at least 4 types of faith, 3 of which are not desirable. (Read)
Verses 14 and 15 are eye-opening verses because of the questions they ask. CSB asks ‘‘What good is it’’, NABE says, ‘‘What use is it’’, and NKJV asks, ‘‘What profit is it.’’ James is trying to get us (his readers) to overcome their super-spiritual position of ‘‘I prayed a prayer so I’m okay no matter if I walk by faith or not’’ and return to the position of Jesus which says, ‘‘They’ll know you by your fruit.’’
Romans tells us the ‘‘just (righteous) will live by faith,’’ 2 Corinthians tells us that the righteous ‘‘walk by faith and not by sight,’’ and Hebrews tells us ‘‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’’ That’s a little scary. Additionally, Hebrews 11 gives us a definition of genuine faith and then verse gives us the encouragement. NKJV says through faith we they gained a good report, CSB says, ‘‘Won God’s approval.’’
Genuine, authentic, dynamic faith is required to please God, so James unpacks this thing of faith. This is ...
Jerry Watts
James 2:14-25
The last time we studied together he studied this saying text. However, the title of the message was ‘‘the proof of faith’’. As we read these verses we spoke of the examination of faith, the expectation of faith, the explanation of faith, and the examples of faith. When I came back to James, in my heart I know there’s so much more here than just what we talked about last time, so let’s look add verses 14 through 25 more town and I asked this question, ‘‘what kind of faith do I have?’’
We live in an age that I would call the menu age. To explain this, I would simply say that we prefer to have a menu or list of choices. From eating to education, we prefer to choose. Honestly, we can’t imagine life without choices (unlike other countries where they are like we ‘used to be’
To ask the question, ‘‘What Kind of Faith Do I Have?’’ is to admit we have choices. This passage speaks of at least 4 types of faith, 3 of which are not desirable. (Read)
Verses 14 and 15 are eye-opening verses because of the questions they ask. CSB asks ‘‘What good is it’’, NABE says, ‘‘What use is it’’, and NKJV asks, ‘‘What profit is it.’’ James is trying to get us (his readers) to overcome their super-spiritual position of ‘‘I prayed a prayer so I’m okay no matter if I walk by faith or not’’ and return to the position of Jesus which says, ‘‘They’ll know you by your fruit.’’
Romans tells us the ‘‘just (righteous) will live by faith,’’ 2 Corinthians tells us that the righteous ‘‘walk by faith and not by sight,’’ and Hebrews tells us ‘‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’’ That’s a little scary. Additionally, Hebrews 11 gives us a definition of genuine faith and then verse gives us the encouragement. NKJV says through faith we they gained a good report, CSB says, ‘‘Won God’s approval.’’
Genuine, authentic, dynamic faith is required to please God, so James unpacks this thing of faith. This is ...
There are 8467 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
