Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Fri 19th June – James 2:18-20
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Fri 19th June – Read James 2:18-20
V18: Again, he imagines someone saying ” You have faith, but I have works”, as if these were two different ways of being saved. But when he says “show me your faith without (apart from ) your works” he means this can not be done – there is no true faith without some evidence in the life. Rather, such works prove faith to be real – and fruitful. (Compare John 15:2)
V19: If by faith someone means simply ” I do believe there is a God” – again James is being ironic when he says “you do well” – for the very demons believe – indeed they know – God exists, and tremble in fear of Him and of the judgement that waits for them -but how far this is from saving faith!
V20: Does he need to demonstrate that professed faith without any evidence is a useless thing, a mere intellectual belief that has not touched the life?. So in the OT Psalm 14:1 says ” The fool says in his heart “there is no God”” – that is, whatever he professes with his lips, he lives as if God did not exist. God grant us lives that show the reality of our faith, and of Christ’s work in us.