Simple Sir.
I think you have over analyzed possibly? I really dont know why thus is difficult.
You're oversimplifying. Which is why the argument doesn't work.
Demons believe in God. Obviously they know about God.
They also have faith that Jesus is God.
They knew Jesus before man knew Him.
That's all James point is..
No it is not. The context is set in "what can save humanity". It is why I referenced what you left out earlier.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Christ didn't come to save devils. Christ didn't offer salvation to devils. Fallen angels don't have the opportunity to believe. Which makes the comparison silly and rudimentary. There is an "object" of faith. It is an unlearned argument that you do not find anywhere else in what you even classify as the Scriptures. What you have faith in, establishes the validity of faith.
He's telling his audience it's good to believe in God.
Just like his audience already does.
But belief alone cannot do anything for them.
Just as the demons faith cannot do anything for them because they are already damned.
No. That is your spin. It is a direct comparison to the inability of the faith of devils to save them and the inability of man faith to save them absent works. However, faith saves alone.
James 2:19, 20
- you believe there is one God you do well(its good you believe in God)
the devils also believe and tremble(they believe which is good but their faith is not obedient faith it is dead) .
Again. Listen. They have NOTHING to believe in. Nothing to TRUST in. Nothing to believe. They can't believe that Christ died for them because HE DIDN'T......
- but do you want to know O foolish man that faith without works is dead
Thats the kind of faith the demons have!!!!!
All they got is belief but no obedience to God.
Therefore if all you have is what the demons have your faith also is dead, worthless it profits you not.
I could on and on but you're so caught up in this that I doubt anything I say will change anything you believe. I'll go a little further but you need to start admitting where you're wrong in this.
This argument you're defending MUST suppose that devils can have faith without works. Get it? That devils can have faith without works. They can't. Get it? Stop. Think......
I asked you what the women and centurion did to elicit the response of Christ "great faith". You haven't answered this because you can't.
James 2:24,
- you see that a man is justified by works(obedience) and not by faith alone(same faith as the demons no obedience only belief in God
You've gotten James argument right here. However, James is wrong. Again. My answer to this "James" is YES.
Faith without works of any kind can save. I know it does. It happened to me. Yet, here I am trying to do the work God has given me and you believe I'm devoid of faith. I'm doing exactly what I believe. This is the most sincerest/mature form of faith. Doing what you believe. It is not the smallest of faith. Salvation begins with the smallest of faith. It then GROWS. To whom much given. Much is required. I have more requirements than you do. I know more than you do. I have practiced my faith for many many years. I know what it is to succeed and more importantly, I know what it is to fail.
Our works are never meritorious. They can't be. Even saved, we continue to fail. There is no man upon the earth that does good and sins not. No man.
Belief is better than unbelief but if that's all your faith is then you cannot be justified.
I've got Bible study and worship to go to. Take care friend.
It was enough for the women that Jesus called a dog. It was enough for the centurion that only asked that Christ speak a word for him to heal his son.
When Paul came down to end of his life having dedicated most of his adult life to the Gospel in ways I can only dream of doing..... He simply said....
I have keep the faith!
I don't believe you really understand faith as well as you think you do. That might well be the case for this person we reference as "James" you're quoting.
Thank you for the kind words!