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"That faith without works is dead?"

Text: James 2:20

THE FOLLY OF FALSE IDEAS

James knew that the battle against false ideas would be a difficult one. Thus, he offered further insights as to why faith without works was just foolish thinking!

“You believe that there is one God. You do well.
Even the demons believe- and tremble!
But do you want to know, O foolish man,
that faith without works is dead?”
James 2:19-20

1. “You believe that there is one God”

a) The basic argument of the detractors was simply this.

That they believed in one God!

b) This was considered sufficient to constitute “true faith”.

2. “You do well”

a) There is a hint of sarcasm in this statement.

b) James did not query the truth of this statement.

c) But was this simple declaration sufficient to prove that the individual now has “true faith?”

3. “Even the demons believe- and tremble”

a) James was aware of the times when Jesus cast out demons.

b) The response of the demons was typical.

i) They recognised that Jesus was the Son of God.

ii) They too believed in the authority and power that was in Jesus (Luke 6:41).

c) They trembled before the Lord.

d) They too “believed”- and they “trembled” before the Lord Jesus Christ.

e) Were they not “better” than the detractors?

4. “But do you want to know, O foolish man”

a) James queried the detractors!

b) Did they not want to know the truth?

c) He could not help but lament the “foolish man” who persisted in nursing wrong ideas.

5. “That faith without works is dead”

a) Once again James makes this firm declaration that “faith without works is dead”.

b) Folly must be given up and yield to truth!