"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19,20).
The person who is so anxious and so dreadfully afraid that you will not let him have any works to do, that you are going to destroy all his works, will find works to do--if Christ is in his heart. Don't be so anxious about works; find the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will find work, more than you can do!
When people get their minds on works, works, and works, instead of on Jesus Christ in order to work, they pervert the whole thing. Satan does not care how much one professes justification by faith, and righteousness by faith, so long as he keeps his mind on works.
In this definition of faith we read: "When we speak of faith there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny." Satan "believes," but what power does his believing bring to him to make him righteous, or to enable him to do good works? None.
No, it is away off there, simply as a theory, held off to look at, held as a theory, as a creed. An [evil] spirit, even, can believe in the existence and power of God. He can believe the truth of the Bible. He can believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Holy One of God, and yet be a devil. [1]
Do not think that the person who says that he rests wholly upon Christ is either a physical or a spiritual loafer. If he shows this loafing in his life, he is not resting on Christ at all, but on his own self. That is faith that will bring to you the outpouring of the latter rain. [2]
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