Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Real faith shows itself in how you live. James is not saying works earn salvation, but that living trust is never idle.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Coming to God begins with trusting that He is there and that He rewards those who seek Him.
KJV3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
A letter to believers tempted to give up, showing Jesus as greater than everything before Him.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Real faith shows itself in how you live. James is not saying works earn salvation, but that living trust is never idle.
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Faith as small as a mustard seed: what matters is not how big your faith is but how great God is. It is not a rule that unanswered prayer means too little faith.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Paul near the end of his life: I have fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith.
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
The apostles’ prayer is one anyone can pray: increase our faith.