A man who had operated a ferryboat for many years was a man of much thought and observation, but was a man of few words. He was also a student of the Bible and believed in the truths of the Scriptures. Two of the regular passengers on the ferryboat were businessmen who cross together on the same day once a week. Frequently the subject of their conversation was faith and works. One of these men believed that it was sufficient to do without works if he had faith while the other thought it was sufficient to do without faith if he had works.

The ferryman's patience had been tried by this fruitless arguing about faith and works. What he heard describing faith and works was not in harmony with the Scriptures so that he finally felt he must intervene. He decided upon a plan.

On one oar he painted "Faith" and on the other "Works". Then on the next trip with these men, when he came to the most dangerous part of the crossing he took in the oar marked "Faith" and used "Works" with all his might. The ferryboat went around in circles to the fear and annoyance of these two passengers. "Put out the other oar," one yelled in an angry voice.

"Very well," was the calm reply of the old man. He took in "Works" and put out "Faith". He used all his might on "Faith" and the boat continued to go round and round. The two men thought he must be out of his mind, but he continued his practical demonstration for a little while. Then he called attention to the names painted on the oars. "I have tried your way," he said to one man, "and your" to the other and you have seen the result. Now observe my way. He gave a steady pull to each oar of the boat and in a few minutes they safely arrived at their landing.

With this illustration in mind I would like us to examine the relationship of faith and works that James explained in this chapter by asking some important questions. Read verses 14-16. "Is it necessary to do good works in order to be saved?" "What kind of faith really saves a person?"

James answers these questions regarding faith and works by explaining three kinds of faith, only one of which is real faith that will save us.

Three kinds of Faith

I. Dead Faith.

The problem of those who claim they have real faith, but do not have, is not a new problem. It even existed in the early church. That is why Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) In verse 14 James mentions two rhetorical questions. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" To them the implied answer is, "most certainly not."

Note in verses 14 & 18 the use of the word "says." Just because a persons says he has faith does not necessarily mean that he in fact has faith. People with dead faith may try to substitute words for deeds. This is not worth calling faith.

James uses the illustration of a Christian coming into their church fellowship in great need, without food or clothing. What did the person who said he had faith do? All he did was say a few pious words. Certainly we know that food and clothing are basic needs of everyone.

We might compare this story of James with the parable Jesus told of the Good Samaritan. Recall that the priest and Levite failed to assist the man and left him for dead. This man who had been beaten and robbed was also in need of help for his wounds. Using this parable we might also ask the question James asked in verse 14, "Can that kind of faith save him?" What kind of faith is this? This so called faith described here is not associated with good works. It is like one oar in the water alone. It is useless. James calls it "DEAD."

Years ago Calvin said these accurate words about faith. "It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone." True saving faith brings life, the fruit of works.

Dead faith may be compared to one oar in the water alone, either faith or works.

II. Demonic Faith.

I believe that demonic faith could be illustrated by two oars working against each other. Read verse 19. This verse shocks many people. The demons believe. They believe in the existence of God and in the unity of the Godhead.

Recall how demons met Christ in the early time of His ministry on earth? In Mark 3:11,12, "You are the Son of God." They believed in the deity of Christ. We talked about that basic Christian belief a few weeks ago. In Luke 8:31 we see that they believed in a place of punishment. In Mark 5:1-13 they saw Jesus as the judge. What is the result of the fact that these demons had sound good sound Christian beliefs? They shudder and tremble in terror and well they should. They were working against Christ and failing to live in obedience to Him.

It is not only demons who believe and tremble. People may also believe in the existence of God and live in fear. It seems to me that there may also be others who would say they believe in God, but since they fail to live in obedience to God they are in fact working against Him. James tells us that belief that does not result in a changed life is useless. It is in fact demonic faith.

III. Dynamic Faith

Dead faith and demonic faith are very poor substitutes for the real thing. Only dynamic faith saves us from our sin. Dynamic faith is powerful, and since it is real faith it results in a changed life. It is putting both oars of the ferryboat into the water and giving them both steady harmonious pulls. True faith results in good works which will together bring us to the heavenly shores. True faith is dynamic and leads to action, the surrender of our will to Christ's will.

James went on to illustrate this with two very different, but well known Bible characters. First he mentioned Abraham, a Jew who was a godly man and Rahab, a Gentile who was a sinful, immoral woman. What did they have in common? They both came to a saving faith in God, a faith that was dynamic.

"Abraham was not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works." Rahab came to know the truth of God, Her heart was stirred by truth and her will acted, proving her faith by her works. Realize the small opportunity that Rahab had to actually get to know God. Yet this woman had faith in God. We might compare that with the opportunities we have today.

Conclusion:

What kind of faith do you have?
Dead faith
Demonic
Dynamic, yes both oars of faith and works in the waters of life will bring us to the heavenly shores.

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