Faith: Dead or alive is still Faith

​As I pointed out in the last post James 1:19-21 sets the theme for the rest of chapter 1 and all of chapter 2 of his letter.  If you haven’t read it, do it now before reading this post.  You will see in 1:19 that James wrote to people he called his beloved Brethren.  He was writing to believers as he would never refer to non-believers as beloved brethren.  He then continued with instructions for how his beloved Brethren, people who have everlasting life, should conduct themselves.  Basically, instructing Believers to live in ways that are pleasing to the Lord and which will not compromise their witness to those who are outside. 
 
The challenge is to live dynamic lives of faith.  The fact that he warned against being a passive hearer means it’s possible some Believer will do just that.  Why warn against a danger doesn’t exist?  The balance of chapter 1 describes a Believer who fails to apply what they are taught by the Word of God.  The person James calls a forgetful hearer is the same as Paul’s carnal Christian in 1 Corinthians 3.  James goes on to say that life style leads to a dead faith (James 2:14).  The context clearly supports the idea of dead being inactive rather than non-viable.  It is still faith, just not a faith that can save from discipline up to and including physical death.  It didn’t spare the Corinthian Believers (1 Corinthians 11:30) and neither will it spare forgetful Christians today. 
 
James’ comparison to the belief of demons further demonstrates he didn’t have salvation in mind because demons were never offered redemption.  It is more a Proverbs 9:10 thing.  Unlike the passive Christian, they’re smart enough to be afraid.  The Epistle of James is a guide to making the most of the gift of everlasting life while living in this world.  He was not suggesting anyone could lose the everlasting life the Lord promised to give to all who believe in Him. 
 
James believed Jesus Christ was telling the truth when He said “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”   So, the question I have for anyone reading this blog is simple.  Who are you going to believe?  Jesus Christ or someone who says you cannot trust what Jesus Christ has said.