The Word of God makes it very plain that saving faith is manifested by God-centred works. Those who have been justified by faith alone will produce fruit. As the branch that abides in the living vine produces fruit, by the power of the vine, so those who truly are in Christ will see an ever-increasing harvest of Christlike and Christ-centred works (character and conduct) developed in their lives.

But when we think of works we may be tempted to think in categories of say, going to church, ministering practically to those in need, writing notes of encouragement, investing our money in the kingdom of Christ, etc. Of course, these certainly are godly works that will flow from the lives of the justified. Such works in turn will “justify” (or vindicate) the justified (2:24).

But in James 3 our pastor-teacher identifies another area in which our justification is manifested, another category of works, namely, “words.” In fact, from 3:1 through to the end of chapter 4 James deals with this theme. He has not left the theme of the heart of this epistle (2:14-26) but rather he expands its application to the use of the tongue as a means of either vindicating or condemning our profession of faith.

In this study, we will begin to unpack this theme as we study the issue of “Faith and Words” or, “Justified by Words.”

Let’s begin by looking at an overview of the passage before us. Consider the following major divisions in chapters 3 and 4, bearing in mind that they are all dealing with the central theme of faith and words.

Commenting on the prophecy made regarding Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26, the great Baptist preacher of a bygone era, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, wrote,

Dear friends, we long to have many converts; we count that church happy to which God adds daily of such as are being saved. But we are very much concerned about the quality of our converts. We do not wish to make up a church with a number of shallow professors, whose religion lies upon the surface, and is of a doubtful character. We are very anxious that we should have those in our fellowship who are thoroughly converted, richly experienced, and fully instructed in the deep things of God. We would have as our associates people who are established by principle rather than moved by passion. We would earnestly pray to have a company of believers added to the church who shall be like Joseph in character—fruitful trees growing by the well, whose branches run over the wall. Jacob describes Joseph as a fruitful offshoot, and he explains his fruitfulness by his position: he is fruitful “by a well.” When a vine grows near a well which is always full, and when it is able to send its roots down to drink of the unfailing spring, it may very well be fruitful, and send forth many branches. The point is, to get by the well.... If we can reach the secret fountains, and say to God, with the Psalmist, “All my fresh springs are in thee,” then shall we find nourishment for our branches, and our fruit and leaf will never fail. “Dwell deep” is a prophetic word of much value to Christians. To live upon land-drainage and casual rains may suffice for ordinary plants; but the trees of the Lord which bring forth much fruit need to penetrate below the topsoil and reach to the secret fountains of grace.

Such was the life of Joseph. For all who knew him, there was no doubt about whom he loved and served. He was unmistakably a man of God. His faith wrought with his works and his faith was made complete (cf. James 2:22). Joseph was one son of Jacob who was manifestly a believer. His profession of faith was unmistakably proven. And with Spurgeon I would concur that it is a wonderful blessing when a church is filled with such.

This should be our prayer for our local churches. We should beseech God for conversions—real conversions—for those who will manifest that they are in covenant relationship, both with God and with other believers, by a faith that really works; that is, faith which brings forth fruit. In fact, our faith ought to produce so much fruit that our profession is unmistakably proven.

As we study Jacob’s prophetic blessing upon Joseph may we find ourselves drinking from the same well as he and many of his future descendants did; from the deep and satisfying spring of the mighty God of Jacob.