Today is the section that Martin Luther did not like at all. James today tells us that faith alone does not save us but that we are saved by our works. It was his works that saved Abraham, not faith alone. Doesn’t this contradict Paul? Didn’t Paul say the exact opposite thing in Galatians? What does this mean? We’ll take a few minutes to explain how Paul and James speak from the same hymnal. The key is to understand what Paul means by works and what James means by works. James is clear, though: faith without works is dead.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this Tuesday as we continue in James. A quick note—Rooted will be paused Thursday, Friday, and Monday-Tuesday next week as our staff takes a short retreat for rest and reflection. I’ll be honoring that by stepping away as well.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most debated passages in James—faith and works. Martin Luther struggled with this section because it seems to contradict Paul’s teaching in Galatians that we are saved by faith, not works. But James and Paul are addressing different issues.

James 2:14-26 challenges us: What good is faith without works? If someone is hungry and we say, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but do nothing to help, what good is that? Faith without action is dead. Even demons believe in God—but belief alone isn’t enough. True faith transforms how we live.

Paul, in Galatians, speaks against Levitical works—circumcision, dietary laws—as a means of salvation. James, however, speaks of the works that naturally flow from faith: love, service, and obedience to God. They’re not in conflict—Paul talks about how we are justified by faith, while James describes what justified faith looks like in action.

As Dr. Frank Pollard said, “Breathing is an involuntary action of a living body—so are works for a living faith.” If our faith is alive, it will produce works.

So today, let’s not just say we believe—let’s live it. Love God, love your neighbor, and let your faith be visible.

Thanks for being here! See you tomorrow.