Salvation by Faith...not works

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" James 2:14

I just wanted to share this story and illustration that Bro. John Yates used last night at FBI in order to back up that salvation is through GRACE not works! 

(Taken from my FBI workbook and what I remember from his "sermon" or lesson.)

The question: Can faith without works save?

The answer is clear and simple: James DOES NOT say "If a man hath faith..." Instead, he asks, "what do it profit...though a man say he hath faith..." There is ALL the difference of Heaven and Hell between just saying you have faith and ACTUALLY having faith. 

And James does not ask, "Can faith save?" But asks of this man who says he has faith, but no works, "can faith save him?" Does this kind of man have genuine saving faith. 

     Paul speaks of the source of salvation while James speaks of the sign of salvation. We are saved BY faith ( Eph 2:8-9) and for works (Eph 2:10) Paul speaks of the root of salvation while James speaks of the fruit of salvation. Paul speaks of the justification before God while James speaks of justification before man. 

Someone who simply SAYS kinds words to the hungry, and does not give them food, proves that he does not really care for the hungry. Even so, one who says he has faith and has no works shows that he does not really believe. 

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20