Digging Deeper James 2:18-19

I just wanted to give you ladies an update on our recent Family Freedom Walk. As you know we had a little competition between the Freedom Fighters men and the Victory Call women. And may I humbly say, "Ladies, we skunked them!!" The Victory Call ladies donated $5,350 to the Walk and the men? Well, the men donated $100. It's not too late ladies; if your husband is a Freedom Fighter reader, he can still make a donation to the cause via the website. I'm not sure but a little poking and prodding might be in order, and if that doesn't work then a little guilt and shame.

Just kidding. We had fun raising funds for the Addiction Recovery Ministries through the Family Freedom Walk. We raised $40,000 and it's still climbing. Thank you to each one of you that walked, rocked and/or sponsored the event.

This week we are going to do 4 Digging Deeper with 2 sections of Scripture. Today and tomorrow we will cover James 2:18-19 with the commentary and points to ponder and James 2:20-26 on Thursday and Friday. We are doing that because next week we will be running our annual 5 day series on modesty as we approach the warmer summer months. Probably more than any other series I have written, the series on modesty has gotten a great deal of response. But alas, that is not our task for today; today we will look at James 2:18-19:

But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!

Commentary:
"But someone will say." As was common in Hellenistic rhetoric, James introduces a hypothetical respondent into his discussion of faith and works, continuing his argument against those who think that faith can save without works. God is one. This affirmation of monotheism stems from the core Jewish creed called the Shema (Deut. 6:4; see Mark 12:29; Rom. 3:30). But James stresses its inadequacy, since even the demons believe this, and they shudder. Mere mental assent to the Christian faith does not save anyone. The faith that saves, as both Paul and James affirm, embraces the truth of the gospel and acts accordingly." [ESV Study Bible notes pg. 2394]

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.