Faith Without Works Is Dead:

In 2:17 James says faith without works is dead.  This is true.  All true believers follow their faith with works that seek to follow God’s will.  James makes the point that works are evidence of living faith just one verse later.

James 2: 18:  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Anyone with saving faith has Christ living in him.  Such a person will do works because he can not keep such a faith bottled up.  If a person has no works it bears testimony that that person does not have saving faith.  We are saved by faith alone but James illustrates that such a faith is never alone.  Another FAQ looks at James’ words in detail.  It is listed in the menu on the left under Faith and is titled “Sho’ Me the Works”.