January 11, 2026

Is Your Faith Alive | James 2:14-17

Speaker:
In Sermons, The Basics
Is Your Faith Alive | James 2:14-17

Is Your Faith Alive?

Key Scripture

James 2:17 – “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”
James 2:14–17
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Understanding Biblical Faith

Biblical faith is more than a feeling or belief—it involves truth, conviction, and commitment.

Three Components of Faith

These classic terms help explain the nature of saving faith:

  • Notitia – Knowledge

    • Believing in the facts of the gospel.

    • Faith must have content; you cannot believe in nothing.

    • True faith requires believing the right information about God and Christ.

  • Assensus – Intellectual Assent

    • Being persuaded that the information is true.

    • Many acknowledge that Jesus lived, yet deny He is the Son of God.

    • James 2:19 reminds us that even demons believe facts—but that belief does not save.

  • Fiducia – Trust / Commitment

    • A personal, wholehearted trust in Christ alone for salvation.

    • A fiduciary relationship is one built on trust.

    • Saving faith places one’s life fully in God’s hands.

Faith Is Paramount

The book of James emphasizes that faith is central to the Christian life.

  • James 1:2–3 – Faith is tested through trials, producing perseverance.

  • James 1:5–6 – Faith must be exercised without doubt when seeking God’s wisdom.

  • James 2:1 – Faith in Christ must not be mixed with favoritism.

  • James 1:1 – James identifies himself as a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, grounding his teaching in submission to Christ.

Faith is not optional—it is foundational.

Faith Has No Power Without Action

James 2:14 – “What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”

  • The word Erga means works or deeds—active expressions of faith.

  • James teaches that faith by itself cannot save.

  • James 1:21 – Salvation comes through the implanted Word.

  • James 1:22–25 – The Word must be obeyed, not merely heard.

  • James 5:15 – Faith must actively participate in God’s saving work.

Faith that remains inactive is incomplete.

Faith Is Shown Through Actions

James 2:15–16 – Faith must respond to real human need.

  • Empty words without action do nothing to help others.

  • Hebrews 11 repeatedly demonstrates that faith always results in action:

    • By faith the universe was created.

    • By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice.

    • By faith Noah built the ark.

    • By faith Abraham obeyed and went.

    • By faith Moses chose obedience over comfort.

    • By faith the walls of Jericho fell.

  • Genuine faith moves people to act in obedience.

Faith Is Completed by Action

James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

  • The word Nekra means dead—lifeless, useless, without effect.

  • Faith and works are not enemies.

  • Works do not earn salvation—but they prove faith is alive.

Summary

Living faith includes:

  • Knowing the truth

  • Believing the truth

  • Trusting Christ fully

  • Obeying faithfully

If faith does not change how we live, it is not biblical faith.
True faith lives, moves, serves, and obeys.