Saving Faith

James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?


James points out two misunderstandings about relationship between faith and deed. The first one is a claim to have faith but have no deeds. This is not saving faith(James 2:14). Genuine faith includes action and it will produce good deeds. Jesus said that the false prophets will be recognized by their fruit(Matt 7:16). Those who claim to have faith without any good deeds is like a fruitless tree. Mostly, our faith does not have fruits. If we claim to have faith, we must show Christ's love by loving and caring our neighbors. Otherwise, that faith only gives us religious satisfaction. Therefore, we do not have genuine faith; saving faith. James even insists that "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."(James 2:17).
The second one is an intellectual faith which is called as demonic faith. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder?"(James 2:19). The Bible illustrated that demon recognized Jesus as Son of Most High. He could say, "When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!'(Luke 8:28).
At that time, even the apostles did not know who Jesus was. Peter's confession in Matthew16:16 "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"happened much later time. Demon knew about God, Jesus and Holy Spirit before a man did. They even knew about the coming judgement of God. However, even though demons possess this knowledge, they could not be saved. It is because they just intellectually recognize Jesus.
Many people have demonic faith, which is intellectual faith. The intellectual faith do not save ourselves. The faith of absolute obedience is the godly faith which produces good deeds. "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at the coming"(1 John 2:28).