There is one God! James reminds his reader’s that to believe this they do well. A truth they would have known (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). To get their (our) attention James reminds them (us) that even demons (fallen angles) have a kind of faith in God. They believe there is a God who is Sovereign over all things. They believe in the deity of Christ (Mark 3:7-12) (Mark 5:1-7). They believe in the existence of a place of condemnation (Luke 8:26-31). They believe Jesus will be the Judge (Matthew 8:28-29).
Notice, that demon’s believe and tremble in their dealings with God. Their emotions are stirred at the mere thought or sight of God! Can this kind of faith save us? NO! A person can be enlightened in his/her mind and even stirred in his heart and still be lost forever!
What is real faith or true faith then? True Faith, the faith that God gives involves something more, something that can be seen and recognized, it is a faith of action (2:18). Do we have this kind of faith?We do if our Christianity goes beyond intellectually adhering to the right doctrines, or just having emotional experiences – etc. Abraham and Rahab are the examples that God gives for what real faith is like (v.21-25). You could not find two more different persons! Abraham the father of the Jewish nation Rahab was a Gentile! What did they have in common? They were both justified by their works! Abraham believed God (Genesis 15:1-6)……His faith was proven to be real by what he did, the offering of his son Isaac to God (Genesis 22). Rahab believed God (Hebrews 11:31)……Her faith in God’s saving power was proven by her hiding the spies . Both Abraham and Rahab believed God! Both put action to their faith. Faith working together with works (action) makes our faith perfect (complete) (v.22). “Faith alone” cannot justify one before God, it must have action to it (v.24).
It is important that each professing Christian examine his/her own heart and own life, and make sure that they possess a faith that is not dead. Satan is the great deceiver, he comes to us as an angle of light, and he can convince a person that a counterfeit faith is true faith (Titus 1:10-16) (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Make sure your faith is in Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross.