Faith and Works in James 2-26 – Christ Alone Saves

Scripture Reading: James 2:26 – “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.”

Today, we turn to the words of James, who reminds us in verse 2:26 that faith, if it lacks works, is as lifeless as a body without a spirit. This teaching has stirred debate for centuries, even prompting Martin Luther to call the Epistle of James an “epistle of straw” because he felt it seemed to overshadow the centrality of faith in Christ’s salvation. Yet, as we reflect on this passage, let us anchor ourselves in the truth that Christ alone saves, while exploring how works flow from that saving faith.

James challenges us with a stark image: a faith that does not produce action is dead. He’s not suggesting we earn our salvation through good deeds—far from it. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9. But James urges us to examine whether our faith is alive, bearing fruit in the way we live. True faith, the kind that trusts in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, naturally leads to works—acts of love, mercy, and service.

Martin Luther’s concern arose because he saw the danger of relying on works to justify ourselves before God. He rightly emphasized that no amount of effort can save us; only Christ’s death and resurrection reconcile us to God. Yet James complements this by showing that a faith that saves will transform us. If we claim to believe in Christ but our lives show no evidence of that belief—no compassion for the needy, no forgiveness for others—then our faith is an empty shell, devoid of the Spirit’s power.

Consider the context: James wrote to a community struggling with hypocrisy. Some professed faith but ignored the poor or clung to selfish ways. He calls us to a living faith, one that mirrors Christ’s love. For example, when we feed the hungry or visit the sick, we don’t earn salvation—we reflect the Savior who first loved us. Works are the heartbeat of a faith made alive by Christ’s grace.

This balance is crucial. Christ alone saves us through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. Our works cannot add to His finished work on the cross. But as recipients of that grace, we are called to live it out. James 2:26 isn’t a contradiction to Luther’s insight—it’s a call to authenticity. A tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16), and a living faith produces good works as a natural response to Christ’s love.

As we go forth, let’s hold fast to the gospel: salvation is by faith in Christ alone, not by our efforts. Yet, let’s also ask God to stir our hearts, that our faith may be alive, bearing the fruit of love and service. May the Holy Spirit empower us to live out the faith we profess, trusting always in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

DMMC 7-1-25