WORKS AND FAITH
James 2.26
I could not pass this last paragraph of James because of its importance and emphasis on Good Deeds in Christ.
Of course, the Works of Law (Physical Rituals and Ceremonies of the Law of Moses) and Faith, is the subject of constant debates and disagreements among Christians, but not for James. He, like no one else in the Bible, perfectly explained the importance and the essence of the joined forever together Spiritual Quality of Faith and Physical Quality of Good Works in Christ.
James explained this issue so good that practically is nothing can be added to it in terms of understanding the root and the core of these qualities, and in his writings, he had proved that they are inseparable. One such quality proves another in its Spiritual essence, and if separated, they; the faith and Good Works in Christ will be both dead. Just like the body without spirit is dead and so the faith without works is dead (26).
Above all, James also made excellent point saying:
19. "You believe that GOD is One, you do well, the demons also believe and shudder."
~ "Demons also know Who is Jesus Christ and afraid of Him" (Matthew 8.29) (Mark 1.34) (Luke 4.34.41) (James 2.19).
So, what the difference between demons and us? We and Demons are all believe that Christ is GOD. Are demons also saved for Eternal Life like we are because they also believe in Christ? What then separate us from demons? Our Good Deeds in the Name of Christ separates us from demons, because Demons do their deeds in the name of the Satan.
If any of the Christians will still argue against these words of wisdom that James wrote here, and saying that by only believing, or by Faith only, or by Promise of GOD, or only by His grace, or only by anything else we are saved, such person does not tell the truth. (Romans 9.4.11.30-32, 11.6) (Galatians 2.16, 3.5.12). Some people knowingly and purposely ignoring and rejecting the true meaning of Faith and Works, because under word "Works" Paul and other Apostles always meant only physical Rituals and Customs of the Law of Moses and not the Good Works in the Name of Christ, they have nothing in common.
James called such a person who separates, twist the meaning, and argues Faith against Good Works as "you foolish fellow" (20) and he is absolutely right in his assessment.
As a culmination of James writing, verse 14 revealed the most important fact in our faith, asking a question, "...if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" The answer is this that our Salvation depends on both, on Faith and Good Works in the Name of Christ, if one on those is missing, our Faith and our Works without one another are dead in us, and the Salvation will not work for us, because Salvation is Conditional, and Condition is, as James explained, to have both Faith and Good Works in Christ.
Philippians 2.12-13
12. "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13. for, it is GOD Who is at work in you, both, to will and to work for His Good Pleasure."
~ Good Works: (Nehemiah 2.18) (Matthew 5.16, 12.12) (Luke 6.35) (John 5.29, 10.32) (Acts 9.36, 10.38) (Romans 2.7.10) (2Corinthians 9.8) (Galatians 6.9-10) (Ephesians 2.10, 6.7-8) (Philippians 1.6) (Colossians 1.10) (2Thessalonians 2.17, 3.7-13) (1Timothy 2.9-10, 5.9-10.25, 6.18) (2Timothy 2.21, 3.16-17) (Titus 1.16, 2.7.14, 3.1.5.8.14) (Hebrews 10.24, 13.16.21) (James 1.22-25, 2.14-26, 3.13, 4.17) (1Peter 2.12, 3.6.11.17).
~ Works of Faith: (1Thessalonians 1.3.5) (2Thessalonians 1.11) (James 2.14-26)
~ Paul's profession and his works to support himself and others:
(Acts 18.1-3, 20.33-35, 28.30-31) (1Corinthians 4.11-12) (1Thessalonians 2.9, 4.11-12) (2Thessalonians 3.6-12).~ Works of Faith: (1Thessalonians 1.3.5) (2Thessalonians 1.11) (James 2.14-26)
~ Paul's profession and his works to support himself and others:
~ Doers of the Law and not the listeners are justified by GOD:
(Ezekiel 33.31-32) (Matthew 7.21.24-27, 15.7-9, 23.2-3.5) (Mark 7.6-7-13) (Luke 6.46-49) (Romans 2.13) (James 1.22-25).~ Love your enemies. Do good to them:
(2Kings 6.18-23) (2Chronicles 28.9-15) (Proverbs 25.21-22) (Matthew 5.43-45) (Luke 6.27-28.35-36) (Romans 12.20-21)James 4.17
17. "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin."