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That We May Have Dead Faith? By: Gary Colley
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That We May Have Dead Faith? By: Gary Colley
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We noted in last week's article the importance of faith, and that the Bible speaks of weak faith, strong faith, and no faith. It also speaks of "dead faith." We did not intentionally overlook dead faith last week, but our space is limited. "Dead faith" is mentioned twice by the inspired writer James: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17)," and " . . as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also (James 2:26)." Even some religious people make the false statement, "there are no works involved in our salvation, we are saved by faith alone." But James defeats this idea by saying, " . . by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:24)." He identifies dead faith as faith that refuses to obey! It is true that we cannot be saved in the Christian Dispensation by the works of the Old Law (Romans 3:19-20), nor by works that originate with us (Phillipians 3:9)! But, we are saved by grace when our faith is activated in works "which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10)." This ensures that our faith is active faith, which is the opposite of dead faith (James 2:18). After mentioning Abraham's genuine faith, expressed in the difficult offering of Isaac (James 2:21), he concludes, "by works was faith made perfect (James 2:22). James wants all to know about "dead faith." He believes everyone should "see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:24)." We too believe it is vain to think otherwise! We must have greater faith than "the devils" who had faith, but failed to act and live by God's teaching. Just saying, "I believe," or "Lord Jesus come into my heart," while ignoring and rejecting that Christ commands all to "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . (Acts 2:38)," is inconsistent and according to the Bible will not save! Jesus Christ is the only one who can save (Acts 4:12). He has the right to say when and where He will save (Mark 16:15-16, Hebrews 5:8-9, Ephesians 5:23). Hence we must conclude that one cannot have "dead faith" and expect to please God and go to Heaven.