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 i...