Believe - pisteuō: v. to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.

Faith - pistis: n. conviction of the truth of anything.

Both from the root word - pitho v. from the root meaning 'to bind'.

We often use these words interchangeably. But the bible doesn't. They are similar and overlap, and even share the same root word, but they are not exactly the same. It helps us better understand the Word, when we better understand the words used in it. And anytime we want to do that, it is always best to go to the original language in which it was written. And knowing the deeper meanings of these words, helps us understand what some people see as the dichotomy of Paul and James.

I’ve seen a lot of people attempt to discredit the book of James, because they say He is contradicting Paul and pushing a works mentality. And I also see other people using James to justify a works mentality. So is it faith or works?

It is clear that we are saved by grace through faith, and not from works. Doing good deeds or being a good person is not what saves us. His grace does. So what is James talking about? Faith without works is dead.

As we established above, belief and faith are two different things. We use them interchangeably, but they are different. Belief is the acknowledgement that something is real and true. It is a verb, and is the action of considering the evidence and to be persuaded of its truthfulness. But we can believe, but not have faith.

Faith produces something. It is a noun, and is something that becomes part of us. It is a conviction; an inner certainty that is isn't easily shaken. Belief can change upon the receiving of new information. But faith is the seed (Matt 17:20, Luke 17:6) planted deep within that develops anchoring roots and as it's cultivated, grows and blossoms with fruit. We don’t produce faith by our actions or works, but faith causes fruit to be born. It creates movement within us and flowing out of us.

You can be given a deed to a house. You believe you have it, and it’s in your hand. You look at the deed, see you name on it and assess, this is true, I believe it. It’s yours. But you can be living on the street with the deed in your hand. Belief gets us the deed, but not the occupancy. Faith is what moves you into the house. Faith takes possession of what you believe you have, and moves you into living in it.

We can believe that God heals and not be healed. We can believe He is our provider, and have lack. We know He has the power. We believe it. But when faith comes, it takes possession of the healing and provision. It moves us into alignment of the wholeness He already provided.

This is what James was saying. He was writing to already established Christians. He was speaking to those who already believed and come into faith. He is teaching them of faith maturing, not what gets them saved. When Paul says in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast”. He is saying our works do not make us right with God. It is His gift by His grace through faith.

And in contrast, James when speaking of Abraham, said in James 2:22 “You can take note that his faith was cooperating with his actions, and that faith was completed by his actions!” He is telling them that faith brought to maturity, is made complete and produces fruit.

We can spend a lifetime saying we have faith that God's heals, but if we never see healing, then our faith hasn't come to maturity and is not complete.

*If we look at another translation, we see “You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works”. Which sounds like he is saying we have to be justified by works. But this is precisely why I do these studies, to help us understand what is going on. Because he is saying that the maturity of faith is completed when its partnered with our actions.

Faith can’t be worked up. It can’t be mustered or worked into being. Faith comes from rest (click for link). Not rest as in physical rest. But rest as in the state of assurance and peace, totally relaxed in the knowing of who He is and who you are to Him. It is rooted deeply and watered by the Word.

What you strive to attain, you will strive to maintain.