But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:20 NASB
Useless – According to this translation, James doesn’t say, “faith without works is false belief.” He doesn’t say, “faith without works is carnal.” He doesn’t say, “faith without works is hypocrisy.” According to this translation, he says that it is useless. It doesn’t accomplish its intended purpose. It has no place in God’s grand scheme. It is insipid, sick and ineffective. It doesn’t produce. It isn’t natural.
But the Greek is a bit stronger. The word is nekra. Dead! Oh, it’s useless alright. But the reason it’s useless is not simply because it is weak, insipid or ineffective. The reason it’s useless is because it is dead! It doesn’t have any life. It is the unnatural bastardization of what God intended. Faith produces spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit produces lasting, tangible transformation. This is the natural and inevitable consequence of faith. Wherever there is real faith in the God of Israel, things happen. God guarantees it because He is jealous over His children. He puts His spirit into us, resulting in the natural outgrowth of His character in our lives. So, those who espouse faith but do not bear fruit are dead! They aren’t carnal, confused or incapacitated. They are tombstones. Softening the blow by altering the translation from “dead” to “useless” doesn’t do anything but provide a back-handed excuse. James won’t have it. Faith without works isn’t just sick. It’s terminal!
Do you agree with James? Do you recognize that a claim of faith necessarily means an obligation to produce good fruit? If you agree, then you should be able to look around at the fruit that grows naturally from your life with God. You should see real results. Of course, the fruit you produce isn’t for you. It’s for others to enjoy. The transformation that is occurring in your life must be recognized as blessing to others. A tree does not eat its own production. So, if you really are in flow with God, then others will be blessed by your efforts and your presence. They will see transformation even if you don’t recognize it. But if they aren’t discovering blessings through you, then you may want to take a closer look. You just might be planted in a graveyard.
Does any “work” qualify? No. The fruit of the Spirit is quite specific. You can find the list in Galatians 5. But that’s only the beginning. You see, “works” is a Hebrew idiom for tzedakah, the Hebrew word for the acts that we call “charity” in English. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from our idea of charity. The word “charity” suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. But the word tzedakah is derived from the Hebrew Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In charitable application, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due. Furthermore, since “works” includes righteousness and justice, it implies a life governed by Torah, the ultimate guide to righteousness and justice. “Works” are not what I want to do. “Works” are what God instructs me to do.
Faith without the committed application of God’s instructions is dead. It might look noble and religious, but it is not aligned with God’s view of truth, justice and righteousness. God’s way of living is not some nebulous “love each other” feeling. It is specific behaviors covering every aspect of life. It is the glorious privilege of serving Him by doing what He asks. It is life as He defines it.
Ah, but you already knew that, didn’t you? You are already living according to God’s instructions, aren’t you? That’s why life is such a wonderful adventure, right?
Topical Index: faith, works, dead, nekra, tzedakah, James 2:20
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