In James 2:14-26, the Spirit is candid that faith is not merely something to be achieved, a one-and-done kind of thing. 

Faith is a task to be performed (James 2:14-17). It's a process. Faith, living faith, is lived out every day and informs every part of our lives. Whenever we see a brother or sister in need, faith is the task of taking care of him or her. 

Demons knew "the faith," that Jesus is King but did not perform the duties of faith (2:18-20). "Even the demons believe--and shudder!" (2:19). Faith is the task of a lifetime. Its about being transformed and dying daily. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe." 

Abraham trusted in God and performed the duties of faith (2:21-24). Abraham was "justified by works" (2:21). In so doing, he became the friend of God. It's not faith alone; it's faith and works. It's not faith as achievement; it's faith as a task. 

Rahab trusted in God and performed the duties of faith (2:25-26). Being quite different than Abraham, poor, immoral, female, and outcast among Jews, she was justified by her works. Whether we are an Abraham or a Rahab, we can be justified by our faithful actions in Christ.

This is the point of the sermon: faith is the task of a lifetime.