James 2:18-20: But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder. 20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?
It is unclear if James is talking about an antagonist or if he is talking about himself here when he begins with, someone will say. The comparison of faith vs. works continues today in our culture as it did when James wrote this text. Do you have an intellectual knowledge of faith, or have you made a genuine profession of faith and live according to God’s principals? The meaning of show that is used here does not mean, prove it to me; it implies exhibit (again an action word). Faith is unseen except by God, so we need to exhibit our faith to man by actions.
Intellectual Knowledge?
The NIV translation of verse 19 is more pointed: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.” This verse cross-references Deut 6:4 when Moses is talking to the Israelites about keeping God’s commandments. “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The demons believe that there is one God, they have the intellectual knowledge, but cannot have saving faith.
Which do you have? Intellectual knowledge or a Faith that is seen by God and by man by exhibiting a faith-filled life? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be called foolish and learn that faith without works is useless.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jas 2:18–20). (Dt 6:4) Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
The New International Version. (2011). (Jas 2:19). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
