Faith Without Works?

When has my spiritual life profited others? Does it profit others? These are questions that should be asked in the light of this text which tells us that faith without works is dead.

When James begins to tell us about these works, he begins with works of charity--have we seen the destitute and done nothing?

This portion of scripture has been a cause of great controversy, often being misunderstood. Martin Luther struggled with it. It has been falsely interpreted by many to teach a works salvation. We note in Genesis that Abraham was justified by faith, and in James we are told that Abraham was justified by works when he offered up Isaac. How can this be reconciled?

We have examples of this in the parables, where we are taught that the church will always have vain professors, those who claim they have faith, and don't have the effectual working of faith that produces good works.

Our fruitfulness affects others!