Active Faith: Transformative Works and Ongoing Sanctification
Summary
In our journey through the book of James, we have been confronted with the undeniable truth that faith without works is dead. This profound message, delivered by James, serves as a clarion call to every believer that our faith must be active and alive, manifesting itself in our deeds. We are not saved by our works, but our works are a testament to the saving faith within us. As we have navigated the complexities and challenges of life, we have been reminded that our faith is not a static entity but a dynamic force that propels us towards godliness, humility, and a life of service.
Throughout this series, we have been encouraged to view our trials as opportunities for joy, understanding that they are instruments in the hands of God, shaping us into the image of His Son. We have been exhorted to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers, and to extend mercy rather than judgment. Our tongues have been called to bless and not to curse, and we have been urged to embrace true religion that cares for the orphan and widow and remains unstained by the world.
As we conclude our time in James, we are reminded that the journey of faith is one of progress, not perfection. The Holy Spirit has been our guide, empowering us to pray, praise, confess, and repent. These are not mere religious activities but the very lifeblood of a relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We have been called to a life of ongoing sanctification, knowing that the work God has begun in us will be brought to completion.
In our final exploration of James, we have been confronted with the reality that we all wander from the truth at times. This wandering can be both inadvertent and intentional, but it is always dangerous. It is our responsibility as a community of faith to woo those who wander back to the fold, understanding that in doing so, we save souls from death and cover a multitude of sins.
As your pastor, I have also taken this opportunity to seek forgiveness for the times we, as church leaders, have failed to live up to our covenant promises to you. We have asked for forgiveness where our counsel became control, where we failed to recognize the limits of our authority, where we allowed policies to overshadow people's pain, where we acted transactionally rather than tenderly, and where we failed to recognize victims and empathize with their situations.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is the engine that drives our actions as believers. It is not enough to claim faith without demonstrating it through our works. Our deeds are the evidence of the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives. [01:30]
- Trials should be considered as joy, not because they are pleasant, but because they produce steadfastness and maturity in us. They are not random occurrences but divinely permitted challenges that shape our character and faith. [04:05]
- The process of sanctification is lifelong. We never "arrive" at a state of perfection this side of eternity. Instead, we are constantly being worked on by God, shaped and molded by His hands. This is a cause for hope, not despair. [05:19]
- The act of wooing back a wanderer is an act of profound love and care. It is not about proving oneself right but about restoring a soul to the truth. This requires patience, gentleness, and a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the wanderer. [10:03]
- Confession and repentance are not one-time acts but ongoing practices in the life of a believer. They are the means by which we acknowledge our shortcomings and realign ourselves with God's will. This humility is essential for spiritual growth. [07:41]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 5:19-20 (ESV)
> "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
2. James 1:2-4 (ESV)
> "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
3. James 2:14-17 (ESV)
> "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 5:19-20, what is the result of bringing back a sinner from their wandering?
2. In James 1:2-4, what are believers encouraged to do when they face trials, and what is the purpose of these trials?
3. How does James 2:14-17 describe the relationship between faith and works? What example does James use to illustrate this relationship?
4. What does the pastor mean when he says, "faith without works is dead"? How does this align with James' message? [01:30]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the importance of works as evidence of faith? How does this challenge the idea of faith being a purely internal belief? [01:30]
2. How can viewing trials as opportunities for joy change a believer's perspective on suffering and challenges? What does this reveal about God's purpose in allowing trials? [04:05]
3. What does the process of sanctification look like according to the sermon? How does this lifelong process provide hope rather than despair? [05:19]
4. How does the act of wooing back a wanderer demonstrate profound love and care within the community of faith? What qualities are necessary for this process? [10:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant trial. How did you respond, and how might viewing it as an opportunity for joy have changed your perspective? What steps can you take to adopt this mindset in future challenges? [04:05]
2. Think about your daily actions and decisions. How do they reflect your faith? Identify one specific area where you can better demonstrate your faith through works this week. [01:30]
3. Consider the concept of ongoing sanctification. What is one area of your life where you feel God is still working on you? How can you cooperate with His work in this area? [05:19]
4. Have you ever wandered from the truth, either inadvertently or intentionally? How did you find your way back? What role did the community of faith play in your return? [10:03]
5. Confession and repentance are ongoing practices. Is there something you need to confess and repent of today? How can you make confession and repentance a regular part of your spiritual life? [07:41]
6. Reflect on the pastor's apology for the church's failures. How can you contribute to creating a more compassionate and tender community within your church? What specific actions can you take to support those who have been hurt? [26:02]
7. Identify someone in your life who may be wandering from the truth. How can you lovingly and gently woo them back to the fold? What steps will you take this week to reach out to them? [10:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Demonstrating Faith Through Action
Faith is often spoken of as a belief or trust in something greater than oneself, but it is also a call to action. The transformative power of the Gospel is not meant to be kept as a mere intellectual assent but is to be displayed in the way one lives. True faith is an engine that drives believers to do good works, to serve others, and to live out the teachings of Christ in every aspect of their lives. These actions are not a means to earn salvation, which is a gift of grace, but rather a natural outpouring of a life changed by faith. The evidence of faith is seen in how one treats their neighbor, responds to needs, and lives with integrity and love. [01:30]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." - James 1:22-23 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can put your faith into action this week that would serve someone else or demonstrate God's love?
Day 2: Embracing Trials with Joy
Trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of life, but they are not without purpose. As believers, one is called to view these challenges as opportunities for growth and joy. This perspective is not about finding happiness in suffering but about recognizing the hand of God at work, refining and maturing one's faith. Trials are the tools that God uses to shape character, to teach perseverance, and to mold believers into the image of Christ. When faced with difficulties, one can take heart in knowing that these experiences are producing steadfastness and a deeper, more resilient faith. [04:05]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." - James 1:2-3 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify a recent trial that you can now see as an opportunity for growth, and how can you approach future trials with a perspective of joy?
Day 3: The Lifelong Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which a believer is made holy, set apart for God's purposes. It is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of being shaped and refined by the Creator. This journey is marked by progress, not perfection, and it is fueled by the hope that God is continually at work within. The believer's life is a testament to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers, convicts, and guides toward godliness. This process is a cause for hope, as it is a reminder that God is not finished with anyone yet, and He will bring to completion the good work He has started. [05:19]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6 ESV
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have seen growth in sanctification, and what is one area you still need to surrender to God's refining process?
Day 4: Restoring Wanderers with Love
The Christian community is called to be a place of restoration, where those who have strayed from the truth are lovingly guided back to the fold. This act of restoration is not about judgment or condemnation but about genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the wanderer. It requires patience, gentleness, and a deep love that reflects the heart of Christ. Believers are to be agents of reconciliation, understanding that in bringing someone back to the truth, they are participating in the saving work of God and helping to cover a multitude of sins. [10:03]
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." - James 5:19-20 ESV
Reflection: Is there someone you know who has wandered from their faith, and how can you approach them with a heart of compassion to help guide them back?
Day 5: The Practice of Confession and Repentance
Confession and repentance are not merely rituals to be performed; they are essential practices for spiritual health and growth. They are the means by which believers acknowledge their sins, seek forgiveness, and realign their lives with God's will. This humility before God is a critical component of a vibrant faith, allowing for healing and restoration. Confession is not just about admitting wrongs but also about turning away from sin and toward God. It is through this ongoing practice that one experiences the grace and mercy of God afresh and continues to grow in their relationship with Him. [07:41]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16 ESV
Reflection: What is a sin or struggle you need to confess and repent of today, and how can you take steps to make that confession and seek accountability?
Quotes
1) "Faith works. This is the message of James that we in our own ability cannot stand in the face of adversity; we could never find the strength to trust without faith." [01:30] (Download | )
2) "As we read the book of James and really as we read our Bible, what begins to happen is my being able to see that I'm still struggling in this area...is an objective evidence that God is still at work in me." [04:44] (Download | )
3) "Conviction should always be sweet for the believer in Christ because it's an invitation to surrender ourselves over to what God's doing in our hearts." [07:41] (Download | )
4) "The way to win a brother back, the way to woo, is to love. And I think this is the place where that external protection kicks in." [18:50] (Download | )
5) "We all wander...that wandering is dangerous, so therefore we all woo, and there is much to rejoice in as we are used by God to woo others." [10:03] (Download | )
6) "Wandering can be one of two things: wandering is genuine believers in Christ who drift...but we also know from the book of James that sometimes there are those who are wandering and that wandering is an objective evidence that they've never been a Christian at all." [13:20] (Download | )
7) "The elders of the village church have come to believe that we have failed to fulfill our covenant promises to you as members to lovingly exercise church discipline when necessary." [27:31] (Download | )
8) "We exist to bring glory to God by making disciples through gospel-centered worship, community, service, and multiplication...we wanted this church and us as a people to be defined by the gospel alone." [34:54] (Download | )
9) "We have already began to look and begin to look not only internally but to get help externally on how our processes and systems broke down and failed us in this regard." [32:49] (Download | )
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