Posted on 06/28/2020 6:45:42 AM PDT by metmom
"Someone may well say, 'You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" (James 2:18-20).
Even demonic faith is better than dead faith!
In recent years there has been an alarming rise in the number of professing Christians who believe that there's no necessary relationship between what they believe and what they do. They say you can't judge a person's spiritual condition by what he or she does because salvation is a matter of faith alone—as if requiring works violates the principle of faith.
It was that kind of reasoning that prompted James to issue this challenge: "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18). The Greek word translated "show" means "to exhibit," "demonstrate," or "put on display." His point is simple: it's impossible to verify true faith apart from holy living because doctrine and deed are inseparable.
Can you know if someone is a Christian by watching his behavior? According to James, that's the only way to know! In verse 19 he says, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." In other words, affirming orthodox doctrine isn't necessarily proof of saving faith. Demons believe in the oneness of God, and its implications fill them with fear, but they aren't saved. The phrase "you do well" is intentionally sarcastic. The implication is that demonic faith is better than non-responsive faith because at least the demons shudder, which is better than no response at all.
You can't be a Christian in creed only—you must be one in conduct as well! James makes that very clear. Don't be confused or deceived by those who teach otherwise. Continually aim your life at bringing glory to God through obedient application of biblical truth.
Suggestions for Prayer
Reaffirm to the Lord your commitment to abide by His Word.
For Further Study
Read John 8:12-47. Make a list of doctrines and deeds that characterize dead faith and a corresponding list of those that characterize true faith.
Studying God’s Word ping
....demonic faith..... under the surface that makes no sense whatsoever.
. A Demon needs no faith! A demon is a fallen angel with full knowledge of the complete power and control of our savior Jesus Christ. how can you compare faith and full knowledge?
Yeah, I don’t get his thinking either.
Maybe he was just making a point. I can’t see how demonic faith avails demons. Dead faith can be raised.
Jesus raised the dead, but did he ever change any demons?
“You can’t be a Christian in creed only—you must be one in conduct as well!”
Amen!
....and who’s faith is stronger those who saw and believed or those who heard and accepted belief?
two millennia later whose faith is stronger? those who hear and believe or those who believe and do works?
....and can one denounce faith without works in a time I believe to be the beginning of tribulations... when all that is asked is to believe?
...that flies in the face of the teachings of Christ. it implies that salvation is conditional and not a gift from god alone. If you can buy salvation through works than Christs death was pointless.
Faith that believes and trembles before the living God is better than a faith, or belief, that does not.
True , if you differentiate between ‘believe” and “Know”.
a demon has no need of faith! he has direct knowledge of GOD and his own appointment with HELL.
to imply a demon has “faith” is ridiculousness! faith is a belief that Christs death on the cross brings salvation! no demon has any misgivings about their end!
The world really has turned upside down.
The demons believed and wanted to be as far from Jesus as they could get.
They had belief and they had faith and their works were to tremble and to get away from Him as far and as quickly as possible!
I know that feeling. Guilt, shame, conscience ... hide me, oh mountains, from God’s Judgements.
Those of His day had all the information and didn’t recognize Him.
Their faith and their works were of themselves and their egos, and so they killed Him and His followers, too. Egos don’t like competition, as their works demonstrate.
I say I believe, but I often don’t act like it, choosing my ego’s ways over His.
In those times, no one would believe me if I tell them I am a Christian. My works would testify against me.
They would tell me, “I’m sorry I couldn’t hear what you were saying. Your actions were speaking too loudly.”
I’m learning to wait on the Lord while dying to myself, to do His Will instead of my ego’s will both in the heat of the moment and also when no one is looking.
His Ways are much harder than mine and way more difficult than I would have thought.
My ego’s stuff is quicker and much easier ... and the inner serpent never lets me forget it.
Good thing Jesus is always ready, willing and able to help!
Just ask Him and get busy and all will be well.
Thankya, Jesus!
“My ego’s stuff is quicker and much easier ... and oh, so satisfying ... and the inner serpent(s) never let(s) me forget it.“
It’s the “oh so satisfying” part that those serpents like to shove in my face, especially when my guard is down.
The stuff about “Staying awake” is also difficult.
“it implies that salvation is conditional and not a gift from god alone.”
Not at all - only through God’s grace can we exhibit Christian conduct. The fact remains that a ‘faith’ without works is dead and cannot save.
Disagree! Nowhere in God's word does it say ‘faith without works is dead and cannot save. God's grace is what saves THROUGH faith and not works. Genuine faith brings about a changed heart, a new birth, a new creature in Christ and WILL be evident in how one lives in that faith but it is NOT our works that save us - not even a little bit. It is God at work within us conforming us to the image of Christ and we can't take any credit for that - "lest any man should boast" Scripture tells us.
amen
....” a ‘faith’ without works is dead and cannot save.”.... that is so wrong. you can’t chop part of a sentence from a verse and then add your own extra words to fit your interpretation. What is “a faith” ?..... exactly where in the scripture do the words “and cannot save” show up? I’m am instructed to admonish my brethren in the faith so....
Don’t add to scripture bro.
EVE added; "...and do not touch it."
Look what has happened after that!
So we agree you were wrong to claim the article implied “that salvation is conditional and not a gift from god alone”? Glad to hear to hear it. Have a blessed day.
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