James 2:19
A Christian farmer in west Kansas felt sure that God spoke to him to give his $40,000 hail insurance to missions. So, in faith he gave the money, trusting that God would protect his crop. Sure enough, the hail came and severely damaged all his neighbor’s crops, but not his.
In contrast, there is a well-known story about a brilliant tightrope artist named Blondin, who pushed a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. After he had walked to the other side, the crowd roared with applause at his amazing feat. He asked a small boy in the crowd if he believed that Blondin could walk back. The boy said, “Yes, sir!” He then asked if the boy thought he could do it with him in the wheelbarrow. The boy said he believed he could do it, to which the famous tightrope walker said, “Good! Jump in then and I will take you!” The boy would not get in.
James 2:14-20
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [f]your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 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?”
Question: Do we believe like the devil or like the Christ?
Faith, which simply means to trust, is the most repeated theme in the Bible. All of our decisions are based upon trust. When we eat out at restaurants, we trust the chefs and staff with the preparation of our food. Parents trust teachers with the welfare and training of their children. Children trust medical personnel with the care of their aging parents. The list of examples is endless but it’s no mystery that we live by a code of trust. The mission of the Godhead is to teach us to trust in Him alone for salvation.
“Faith without works is dead.” James
We have to clarify this because not just any works would do. The devil wants us to think that we can move in any way and as long as we stamp the name of Jesus on it it’s pleasing to the Master.
Genesis 16:2 So “Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall [a]obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.”
Exodus 2:12 “He looked all around, and when he didn’t see anyone, he beat the Egyptian to death and hid the body in the sand.”
Matthew 7:21-23 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?”
Each of the above examples show that there is a such thing as applying the wrong works which are works based on trust in self instead of God.
Therefore faith without God’s works is dead.
How the devil believes?
The devil’s belief doesn’t go beyond intellectual knowledge. Matthew 4:4-11, Genesis 3:1-5
He promotes works that exalt self instead of God. Isaiah 14:12-14
He prioritizes law over love. “Moses said in the law that such a one should be stoned…” John 8:5-6
How Jesus believes?
He demonstrates oneness with the word: Matthew 4:4 “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
He promotes love as the motive to applying law: Luke 6:3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?”
“God being a perfect God had to give mankind a perfect law and the law given was not to save humanity but to measure them.” DL Moody
“Therefore, law and theological doctrines are impotent and weak when it comes to motivating good and human behaviour.” Augustus Henry (PhD)
He chooses humility over self-exaltation Philippians 2:4-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
In conclusion, we must constantly examine whether our faith in God is being confirmed by our actions. This deception is so great that none of us are exempt from falling into it. After reading this what is your response? Do you have a stronger belief in God than the devil?