Faith is Proved by Works
November 22, 2022
Commentary
It might come as a shock that demons have faith, “Even the demons believe and tremble” (v. 19). But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble. The following are some things they believe:
- The existence of God (They are neither atheists or agnostics)
- The deity of Christ (Mk 3:11-12)
- The existence of a place of punishment (Lk. 8:31)
- Jesus Christ as judge (Mk 5:1-13).
True saving faith involves a changed life (II Cor. 5:17). “Show me thy faith without thy works” challenged James, “and I will show thee my faith by my works” (v. 18). Action begins when faith is demonstrated and we see in this passage two examples. Abraham’s faith was proved by his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as God had instructed (vv. 20-23). Rahab was prepared to risk all when she sheltered the spies sent to spy out the Promised Land (vv.24- 25).
Faith and deeds (or actions) are essential to each other just like the body and the spirit. Apart from the spirit or the “breath” of life our body is dead (v. 26). In the same way, apart from the evidence of works our faith is dead. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
Application
What am I really doing by faith? It is so easy to try to figure everything out myself.
James 2:19– 26 (NET)
Illustration: Havner – Wearing Many Medals but not Many Scars (James 2:19)
I’m tired of hootenanny religion, the new brand of Christianity that pagans do not feel embarrassed to join, I’m tired of Batman, the Beatniks, the Beatles, the God is dead movement, the new morality, situation ethics, existentialism, and the latest theological discussions out of Germany. If my faith were so weak that a professor down in Georgia could shake it, I’d get another kind. I’m tired of hearing in our church bodies that we must get away from humble beginnings, shake the hayseed out of our hair and come of age. I hear a lot today about grandstand seats in glory, but I don’t hear much about the baptism of Christ’s suffering. We’re wearing a lot of medals these days, but not many scars. (Vance Havner, Who said That, by George Sweeting, p. 188).