Read James 2:18-19
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:18-19)
Yesterday we began swimming in deep theological waters as we meditated on the subject of faith and deeds. We continue this dangerous swim both today and tomorrow. I am therefore making more use of commentaries, trusting that they will serve as lifebelts enabling us to keep our heads above the water!
“In verse 18 James challenged anyone to be able to claim genuine faith without the authenticating works, and he declares the only way to have genuine faith is to carry it out with deeds. He affirms the necessity of both faith and actions and says he will show the former by the latter.” (George Stulac). Thus, it is not a case of “either….or” but of “both….and”. It is not a case of works being added to faith but of genuine faith including works.
In verse 19 the demons are used as an example of how belief without behaviour is useless! “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder” (v. 19). The demons believe, but not with a saving faith!
Being a multiracial nation we need to examine further ‘belief in God’, which is the first principle of our Rukun Negara. There are three major religions that are monotheistic (One God) – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. (In Deuteronomy 6:4 we read “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.”) Who is this God in whom we believe? I will only give an answer for those of us who are Christians. This One God is God the Father of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the One and Only Son of God and the Holy Spirit – Three Persons but only One God.
When we have genuine faith, the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit into our lives both to inspire and to empower us to do good works.
What does ‘belief in God’ mean to us and how does it affect our daily lives?
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
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