"Show Me Thy Faith"
James 2:18
Not all faith is true faith. There is a
living faith and a dead faith, the faith of God's elect and the faith of
devils, a faith that saves and a faith that deceives,
a true faith and a false faith. False faith is a faith of words only. True
faith is a faith of works, a "faith that worketh by love" (James
2:14-17; I John 3:16-18; Gal. 5:6).
If a man or woman says, "I have faith
in Christ," James makes a fair and reasonable request. He says, "Show
me thy faith." He is saying, "Convince me that you have faith.
Justify your claim. Justify your faith." Abraham did (vv. 21-24). He
proved the reality of his faith in God on
You may say, "Oh, but I believe in
one God, omnipotent, sovereign, eternal, and saving, Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost!" That is very good. But the devils have that kind of faith. You may
be as orthodox in your doctrine as the apostle Paul himself and yet possess
nothing but a false faith. The demons of hell are as orthodox in doctrine as
any of us! There is more to faith than doctrine!
"Wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead?" (v. 20). James was
directed by the Holy Spirit to repeat that statement three times in ten verses.
The Spirit of God means for us to understand that dead, cold, dry letter,
doctrinal faith is of no value to our souls.
What kind of faith do we have? Is it a
true and living faith, or is it a false, dead faith? If we will honestly deal
with our souls the answer will not be difficult to find. True faith hears and
believes the Word of God. It is submissive and obedient. It grows with
experience. True faith works by love. It is gracious, merciful, and kind. It
builds relationships. True faith glorifies God, rejoices in Christ, and is led
by the Spirit. True faith is lasting, persevering, enduring
faith. Yes, God's saints have their struggles, difficulties, and failures. But
the bent of the believer's will, the tenor of his life is to glorify the Lord
Jesus Christ, serve his people, and finish his course with joy in faith,
whatever the cost.
Don Fortner