James 2:17 - A Widely Abused Verse

So, I love tearing apart verses that are commonly quoted and used a lot in sermons because I believe that a great number of religious leaders just seek to control the largely undereducated population of church goers. You may have a Harvard degree and still be undereducated and deluded when it comes to knowledge of God's word. So let's have look as the verse, shall we?

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

As you probably know, this verse has been used to justify the foundation of many humanitarian "Christo-Catholic" organizations. And recruit volunteers that feel that it is their "Christian duty" to serve with them. It has been used to cast guilt upon those that go about their daily lives only donating some money from time to time and in general paying attention to what God tells them to do personally.

Here is the key part of the scripture that is often twisted: "if it is not accompanied by"
εαν conditional
ean eh-an': before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).

Unlike my other commentary here that has been derived from my own interpretation from study books, this interpretation came while meditating on the scripture in the kitchen. And the Spirit of God gave me the interpretation though I was not really expecting it. He revealed that this scripture is tied to another scripture "...those that wait upon the Lord..."

And in this verse wait means "to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect -- gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." Or as one Jewish scholar (Randy Lechner) put it, to make preparations for what God said He is going to do.

If we have faith in God's promises, then we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will perform what He said. All need to be doing is moving in faith towards what He said He will do. Set the stage and wait for the Star to play His role.

But in all seriousness, in the scripture faith means taking some risks when God tells you to do something. It doesn't always have to be risky, I mean for the disciples it was as simple as casting their nets on the other side of the boat, but it does not mean Faith "Faith in God" is without Works "charities done for men to be seen by men" is dead. It means if you believe Him, you'll cast the net on the other side, you'll write that letter to your estranged aunt; it means have the faith to do whatever He is telling you to do in every situation (active/activated faith).

And of course this implies that you are seeking Him to give you instruction in those situations. Do you have the faith to first of all trust Him to guide you, and do you have the faith to move how and when He says?

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