I. Faith is Fundamentally Not Parallel with Works
The Apostle Paul's argument differs from James'. Paul believes that faith is a foundation. A person is justified by faith and lives by it, without mentioning works at all.
Jesus' discussion of faith is consistent with that of the Apostle Paul. It is straightforward: it is faith.
It is not using works to prove one's faith.
The seed is faith, and faith is a seed.
Faith being parallel with works is fundamentally not the true gospel. Jesus said that faith is like a mustard seed, and then build on the seed of faith.
II. Faith Can Bear the Fruit of Miracles
What people need most in life is miracles. With faith, one can draw upon God's power and experience miracles.
The saying, 'A good life,' is based on works. For example, a sister is praised for having a good life, but she gets cancer. She does good deeds and is enthusiastic in the church. These are all based on works, just wanting to use actions to show that she is a good person. There is no faith in her at all!
III. James' Faith Did Not Bear the Fruit of Miracles
The gospel we preach is a powerful gospel.
Redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, healed by the stripes of Jesus, and enriched by the power of Jesus.
The idea of 'being so poor that only spirituality remains' is wrong. It is only a mental comfort for poor preachers, not the truth, and not the gospel preached by Paul. For example, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all wealthy men and also men of faith.
IV. Altering the Pure Gospel Invites a Curse
Those who alter the gospel will be cursed.
Nothing can be added to or taken away from it. James added works, like the Pharisees, who could talk but not act; faith and works cannot run in parallel.
Those who seek to establish their own righteousness will be cursed.
V. Seeing Through the Corruption of the Book of James
God included the Book of James in the Bible so that people could truly understand what happened in that era.
Examine the church history of Christianity. Those who run in parallel with faith and works are cursed; those who are founded on faith are blessed!
VI. Observing and Following is Not Works, But the Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Bear the fruit of miracles by faith.
Build a victorious church, trample the enemy, release the plundered and oppressed, and bring them into faith and blessing.
Be a person of faith, rely on Him wholeheartedly, and trust in Him alone throughout your life (Proverbs 3:7-10).
When we begin to have a heart of trust in Him, God will bless us.
Beginning with faith and leading to faith, the more we trust, the more blessed we are, and the more blessed we are, the more we trust.