James 2:18-19

Passage

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”  Show me your faith apart from works and I will show you faith out of my works.  You believe that God is one?  You all do well!  Even demons believe and are extremely afraid.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

James’ hypothetical question should be understood as an argument about separating works and faith, not as an argument about works or faith being better than the other.  James is addressing the person who says, “I can have works, you can have faith.  We don’t both have to have both.”  This is important to understand because it will influence our understanding about the whole rest of the passage.  It is important for us to wrestle with whether or not faith and works can ever be separated.  This isn’t about superiority of one over the other.  It is about whether one can genuinely exist without the other.

Do you believe it is possible to separate faith and works?  Is it possible to truly believe without producing some sort of work or fruit?  Is it possible to genuinely produce a good fruit or a good work apart from faith in God? 

Second Thought:

James tells us his own opinion on the question I opened up in the prior thought.  James says that he will show us his faith out of his works.  In other words, James is saying that his works are the evidence of his faith.  You can see faith in James by observing him.  His works are the natural product of his faith.  That which is invisible – faith – becomes visible in works.  Just as Christ became the visible incarnation of an invisible God, so our works are the visible fruit of an invisible faith.

What works do you have that bring evidence to your faith?  How readily can other people see that evidence?

Third Thought:

James then gives us a strange and terrifying statement.  Even the demons believe that God exists!  Think about it.  There isn’t an atheist among the demons.  Every single one of them can point with assurance to the existence of God!  If they can acknowledge the existence of God but not follow Him, then oh how easy it is for us to do the same thing!  Here is the point James is telling us.  Declaring your belief in the existence of a supernatural divine being that is superior to you is not enough.  The demons can do that.  One must follow and submit to God.  Through this line of thinking we can fully realize that faith and works are connected.  Genuine works are the true fruit of genuine faith.

Do you believe and obey?  Or do you just believe?  What does the difference look like?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 2:20-24