James 2:19 (KJV)
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
That verse blows me away so-to-speak!!! When you get the full impact of what James is saying, it will make a Christian do a double-take concerning their own salvation experience.
According to this verse the devils (demons) are not:
- Atheists
- Agnostic
- scientologists
- believers in humanism
Or of any other religion apart from the true living God. Notice that their faith in God causes them to tremble at His power and supremacy. There isn’t one particle of doubt concerning the reality of God in their beings. They even believe in the deity of Christ. On one occasion they cried out to Jesus, "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?" (Matthew 8:29). Reading this verse alone (James 2:19) would cause most people to believe that demons are saved and on their way to living eternally in the blissful place of Heaven. However, they are doomed to Hell and have no relationship with Jesus Christ. How can this be since this verse says they believe in one God and even tremble?
Their belief has not affected their lives and behavior at all and this is the point of what James is speaking about in this entire chapter.
James 2:20-24 (KJV)
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
A person can believe in the existence of God and even fear for their eternal future, but if that faith doesn’t produce action, it is meaningless. In other words it is talk without walk!
If I divorce, separate, and cut faith from works, then I will end up with a corpse.
James 2:26 (KJV)
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The moment my spirit leaves the body – it dies. This separation is what commences the state of death. Works do not produce faith, but faith is to produce deeds or actions. If we reverse this, we will fall into a works-based religion which nullifies the power of grace that God has extended to us. Allow me to show you a beautiful picture of what I am talking about which is found in James chapter one.
James 1:21-22 (KJV)
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
The proof of my faith is evidenced by what I do. Instead of being a person who lets the Word go in one ear and out the other and then feeling good that I have at least attended church for the week… act on what you have heard! When I permit the Word to penetrate my heart and I act upon it, then God the gardener, will landscape my life with HIs Word and make me a beautiful garden reflecting his fertility.
Why is it so important to be a REAL Christian:
- personal enjoyment of God’s blessings in this life
- future eternal rewards and blessings in the next life
- impact and influence on others to participate in what you have experienced
- fulfill the privilege of being a representative of the Kingdom of God in every situation and atmosphere
The next time we all look in the mirror – lets say – Reuben (your name?) BE REAL!!! God bless
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