WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2015 Theory — Question 16

Model answer

James advised the Christians to live according to the word of the Lord which they had heard. It would be no use to hear the word and fail to put it into practice. James also said that if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone who sees himself in a mirror and turns away and immediately forgets himself. According to James, God's blessing comes through works and not just faith. James was also of the opinion that if one thinks he is religious but does not bridle one's tongue, one deceives one's heart and one's religion is in vain. James taught that faith must be combined with practical work to produce the desired result. Faith without work is useless and dead. According to James, faith is justified by works; hence, Abraham believed in God and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God because he acted on his faith. Rahab the prostitute also justified her faith by work when she received the messengers of Joshua and sent them out by another way. A person is therefore justified by work and not by faith alone. In conclusion, faith should manifest itself in love of God and service to humankind, and not mere expression of it by works alone.