Imagine someone who believed in chairs, but never sat in one. They knew that the chair could hold their weight. They could tell you all about what kind of wood was used and the type of joined. They could tell you the tensile strength of the bolts used. However, they never used the chair.
James would say that belief doesn’t become faith until you sit in the chair. Belief is faith when it is acted upon. Belief, if it is not acted upon, even if it has all the correct doctrine and theology is not saving faith.
Sadly, though, we have been watering down the gospel for years. Many call themselves Christian, but they don’t actually follow Jesus. Many believe in God, but it doesn’t change their lives. Many claim to have faith, but it doesn’t affect what they do.
This week we get to James 2:14-26. This is the heart and soul of the book of James. Here, James tackles the question of faith and works. It’s not a question of faith vs. works, but having a faith that works.