Faith by Works; Working For the Lord

James (the physical and spiritual brother of the Lord Jesus Christ) covering so many facets of faith, and what it means to respond in faith. Thank you for taking a look †

(James 2:18-20) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Saying one has faith/belief but doing nothing about it. Faith should cause one to move, cause and effect. Just as any employment, you don't show up you have no payment coming. How could we expect anything different with the Lord? Never, it's always more with the Lord than with man.

(In other words, works is the evidence that we're on the job producing (doers of the word) being in production on the job. Whatever we do (in our jobs we have to bring in income), we don't work for man, we work for the Lord in our hearts and minds. This of course is freedom. Not being in bondage to any man. Remember the exchange between Christ and the Pharisees in John chapter 8 as well. Moreover, working for man in mind is always the carrot on the stick to which can never be reached. No true satisfaction can never be achieved. Working for the Lord, doing a good job is nothing but satisfaction. Being pleasing to the Lord. He is proud of you giving it your all. Showing He can trust you to get the job done. One reference; Matthew 25:14-30; the Parable of the Talents).

(That being said, do we want to be pleasing or disappoint the Lord? Christ was sacrificed so that we may have relationship with the Lord first. Then do our works through that faith/belief therein Christ showing us the way first).

19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils (satan and his messengers) also believe, and tremble.

The word believe here is used in the sense of acknowledging existence from the Greek (pisteuō). Of course, satan and his messengers evil spirits/demons know God exists, they rebelled against the Lord following satan at his rebellion in the first Heaven and Earth age. In other words they have no faith that produces being workers for the Lord. Matter of fact satan was the anointed cherub that covered--protecting the throne of God was his position/job. But pride entered and he wanted to be God, doing it in his own way--no works for God. satan was to be a priest for the Lord. References; Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:14-15; Job 38:7; Revelation 12:3-4, to name a few.

(They believe He exists of course, but are struck in constant fear of him now. Horrified of their judgment to the lake of fire to come, and the condemnation they are in. Physically speaking, likened to doing wrong committing murder, then a sentence of execution hanging over the head (mind), weighing you (soul, inner being) down day in, and day out in complete misery. Let's not go the way they are going).

20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

No purpose to them = meaningless. To what end? Working for self being in disobedience just as satan (the prince of demons), and the demons (satan's messengers). They want to follow their own way, not working for the Lord as well. This is not to say one has an evil spirit being possessed. But they are surely are being influenced. To be possessed you have to invite them in whether knowingly or not, letting them have their way with you. Then the real torture begins. Just as the torture and condemnation they are in, they like to pay it forward too.

Amen †