Faith without works is dead.
You know, someting occurs to me about the faith that G-d intends for us to have.
As a Christian culture, we have grown obsessed with weather or not James is adding to the grace of G-d.
Whether we can remain saved without works.
That might not be what James is discussing.
He might not be talking about faith and the presence of salvation….
Rather, he might be talking about the works of faith as an evidence or absence of life.
We have nad the discussion of grace versus works as what is required for salvation.
That may not be what James has in view.
In view, what James may be thinking about is faith that has works as an evidence of life.
Are we so concerned with whether or not we will get to heaven and everlasting life, that we fail to experience the life He has for us now as well.
If you only ask the two-dimensional question of faith for salvation, and do not step into the fuller faith that shows you have life now and a relationship now.
It appears we have, then, at least two forms of faith.
The faith that leads to salvation, which is solely by grace.
And the faith that breeds life now which is based on works that flow from our love of, devotion to, and relationship with Christ (Matthew 25: The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats).
A dead faith is not a faith that brings out life and it does not flourish.
A preoccupation with grace to the exclusion of works is not a faith that gives.
What we have received as grace, we must give out.
Just like the Sea of Galilee vs. the Dead Sea.
Freely you have recieved. Freely give.
We must move from received grace, to executed grace, which is works, in order to not only be saved, but also show proof we are living.