This interesting verse tells us that monotheism does not save. Even the demons believe that there is one God, but they tremble.

"Thou believest that there is one God ..." James' readers were not atheists; they believed there was one God. The Lord calls an atheist a fool. "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" (Ps. 14:1). Everything in creation cries out, "There is a God." How can one see a beautiful flower and question God's existence? How can one observe the marvelous construction and beauty of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, and still be an atheist? Equally marvelous is animal and bird life, and even more marvelous human life. Use a telescope on the vast heavens, or a microscope on the tiny microbe, and the only answer is "God."

The effect of atheism: We have all seen examples of what happens when atheism grips a people. We have seen it in Germany with Hitler; in Russia with Stalin. We have seen every vestige of mercy go and the black demons of lust, envy, and hatred sweep across the scene.

Not idolaters: James is not writing to idolaters either. They believed in "one God." In times past the Jewish nation did sink into idolatry, as we see in Ahab's time, and even in connection with Solomon. However, after the Babylonian captivity the Israelites never again sank into this sin. From then on they always laid great stress on Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord." This verse had a great effect on the Jews at the time of James. They quoted it constantly, and laid great stress on the word "one." They thought it proof against the trinity and thus the deity of Christ. The devil used it as a trick to keep Christ away from the Jews generally. The Pharisees taught that if one would quote Deuteronomy 6:4 often, holding the word "one" a long time, his life would be prolonged on the earth.

94% believe there is a God: A newspaper stated perhaps as many as 94% of the people in our land profess to believe there is a God, but what percentage of that number are truly saved? To believe in "one God" is correct theology, as far as it goes, but such correctness does not necessarily mean salvation. No, just believing in God and living in a so called Christian land does not automatically make one a Christian.

Orthodox, but not saved: Notice that James says nothing about faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is simply, "Thou believest there is one God." However, it is possible to have an orthodox creed, and still not be saved. One might know much doctrine and be able to quote Scripture, yet not trust and obey Christ. It is more than knowing the truth; it is letting Christ enter into our hearts and control us. One God in the New Testament: Though God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit take center stage in the New Testament, it might be well to mention that the New Testament never denies the oneness of the Godhead. The Lord Jesus Himself quotes Deuteronomy 6:4 in Mark 12:29. Paul says, while contrasting God with idols, "there is none other God but one" (1 Cor. 8:4). He reaffirms this in verse 6. Then, in Galatians 3:20 he says, "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one."

"... the devils ..." The word "devils" would be better translated "demons." There is one devil, but many demons. When the devil fell from his high place in glory many fell with him. We read of these demons many times in the New Testament. We also read of some who were demon possessed, but liberated by Christ. There is the man of Gadara with his legion of demons, and Mary Magdalene, out of whom he cast seven demons (Luke 8:2). This demon possession seemed prevalent in Christ's time, but a few missionaries have asserted, privately, its presence in various ways in foreign countries even today. Some in our land seem possessed, too.

The demons believe: The demons are not atheists; they believe there is a God, and tremble at the thought of Him. They know all about Him and His power. They knew Christ when He was here. We hear the legion of demons in the man of Gadara say, "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" (Matt. 8:29). They not only recognized and acknowledged Christ, but they actually prayed to Him and had their prayers answered. "So the devils besought Him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go" (Matt. 8:31, 32). Yet for all this, demons are not saved, nor can they be.

Demons believe but remain demons: These demons believed and yet remained demons. Some humans profess to believe, yet act much like demons. A professed faith may exist with the deepest condemnation. To have head-faith and head-knowledge that does not affect the mouth, hands, or feet, is profitless and dead.

"... believe, and tremble." "Tremble" in our verse, would perhaps be better translated "shudder" (R.V.). Did you ever have such a scare that it made cold chills run up your back and your hair stood on end? This is the thought here. When the demons think about God and the judgment awaiting them because of their sin, it makes them shudder from fear. If men could but see what awaits them because of their sin and rejection of Christ, no doubt they would shudder, too.

A trembling human: The faith of some men has not gone as far as that of the demons. They believe and tremble. Some men say they believe, but have never trembled before the Lord at the thought of the seriousness of sin. Many have never trembled at the thought of being called into account by God. There is no mercy for a trembling demon, but when a human trembles before the Lord, he is nigh unto salvation. "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Is. 66:2). Remember, there are no unbelievers in hell, but then it will be too late. Weeping and gnashing of teeth will be the lot of the unsaved forevermore.

Scripture Reading: James 2:20 (KJV)

"But wilt thou know ..." This verse is similar to verse 17 and also 26. James appeals to the reason of his readers; "Do you really want to know the truth, O vain man?" Obviously, some do not want to know the truth, preferring ignorance. Some consider their ways and ideas best; not wanting to be disturbed. Some simply do not want to know truth or have anything to do with the Bible. According to our verse, such a one is a vain man. Some do not want to know the real truth about faith and works, but cling to a fruitless, dead faith; others to their fleshly works.

"... O vain man ..." "O vain man" is literally "O empty man". Some have translated it, "O senseless man". And surely one is empty and devoid of sense, if he cannot see that a fruitless faith is useless. Surely one is empty headed who thinks dead faith is of any profit; who has no good works to offer to the Lord as a result of his trusting and obeying Christ. Such a one has no love for the Lord or his fellow man. Some might think James a little harsh here, but those who have nothing but a dead faith, a form of religion without any power, need sharp words if they are ever going to be slackened from complacency.

"... faith without works is dead?" The Revised Version has, "Faith without works is barren". "Dead" is literally: idle, unproductive, or workless. In other words, it is not accomplishing that which it should. The same word translated "dead" here, is translated "idle" in Matthew 20:3 and 6 and also 1 Timothy 5:13. It is translated "barren" in 2 Peter 1:8. There are some today whose profession of faith in Christ is utterly: useless, idle, dead. They profess to believe, but never speak a word for Christ; never do a thing to help the work of Christ; perhaps do not even live clean lives.

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