Did you know that demons aren’t atheists? Even these beings whom Satan controls believe in God. They know God, and they know that they will face Him one day. That’s why they fear Him and start shaking when they think of Him.

¹⁹Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them?

We know that devils and demons go to one place, and that is hell. Even though they believe in God, even though they know what He did for people by means of Jesus’ cross, they will never have eternal life.

Therefore, faith in God is not enough to save you. When you have to explain to someone that you believe, and they can’t see it in what you do, your faith is covered in question marks.

How many times one has to repeat the same thing before people listen? Simply saying you believe is definitely not enough. Trying to convince others verbally that you believe in God is not the right way.

It’s so simple. Faith should be visible in your way of life; otherwise, your faith has no impact. James is tired of arguing with these foolish people and comes right out with it:

²⁰Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

Maybe we’re thinking we’re not part of this story because we go to church regularly, and the way we live is not that far off course. We’re not doing too badly.

But that’s not enough. Being born in a garage doesn’t make you a car. Growing up going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. First, you have to accept Jesus as your Saviour. You have to believe in Him, and, yes, then you have to start living like a Christian.

You must start doing things that fit Christianity and not do something that doesn’t fit a child of God. Your deeds act like a mirror and reflect what you really believe.

Our mouths often go off-road, so you cannot always believe what people say. Their deeds, on the other hand, don’t usually lie. Deeds are driven by faith and tell the stories of faith.

So, please make sure that your deeds tell the right story. Make sure that you do and do right because that’s what we believe. Let our faith hit the road with the rubber and make a difference wherever we go.

Scripture
James 2:14-26

Reflection
Do you believe?
Is your faith visible?
What must you do differently?

Prayer
Father, I realise that sometimes I don’t live right. People don’t always see my faith. Sometimes I live the opposite of what I believe. Forgive me and help me to live right. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.