James 2:18-20

February 20, 2008

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: faith, works, believe, and useless.


Passage for the day: James 2:18-20 (NASB)

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without
the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.

Do you think that it is important to show your faith by your daily actions?





What are 2 ways that you can show your faith by your works?





What is the significance of James saying “You believe that God is one”? (Read Deut. 6:4, Mark 12:29, and 1 Cor. 8:4-6)




What does James’ mean by the phrase, “demons also believe and shudder”? Does that make them Christians? Why or why not? Why doesn’t that faith save them? (Hint: see verse 20)




Chew on this:

Once again, James lets us know that faith cannot be disconnected from what you do. Instead of just saying that you have faith (which many in this world will tell you that!), James points out that we must have an active faith that is working and growing. The works alone do not save a person, but if your faith is genuine, then it will show up in what you do on a daily basis. We need to move beyond just being merely “hearers of the Word” to those who are “doers of the Word!”

In verse 19, James tells that faith without works is merely believing that God exists. But this kind of “faith” has nothing to show for itself – no personal trust in God and no pursuit or love for God. In fact, this kind of “faith” is nothing more than a religious mask of hypocrisy. Sure, they believed that God is the only God and that He exists, but such a faith benefits no one (v. 14) and is useless. Why? Even the demons possess this kind of faith and believe that God exists. They know of the reality of God, but they are still wicked. Many will tell you that they believe that there is a God, or that a “higher power” exists. But that is as far as it goes. There is no genuine trust and desire for God – only the mask of religion.

The problem is that there is no such thing as inactive faith. For James mere faith was an empty boast that masked great evil. Faith is trust in God alone, but it must be whole-hearted and produce works based on the mercy of God. How is your faith? Is it living and active? Is it growing and working for God and others? Let’s seek to live out our faith and be doers of the Word today!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen