James 2:14-26  This section of James' letter  focuses on "faith".  James is clearly teaching that we must have true faith.. living faith.. faith that produces fruit.  True faith will be accompanied by "works".  Therefore, he says, "faith, if it has no works, is dead.. " (v17) 

He gives us two examples.. 

1.  ".. the demons also believe and shudder".v19

2. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" v21

The first is an example of a "faith" that does not save. The second is an example of saving faith, for ... ".. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." 

I keep going back to what James has written in chapter 1.. if we ask for wisdom, God will grant it.. and when we have His wisdom we will be able to walk according to the Truth.  The truth is that anyone can say he has faith.. but unless his or her life produces some "works".. it is "useless". 

Yes, we are saved by faith alone... as Paul wrote in Galatians 2.. but it has to be real, true, living faith in Jesus Christ.  We cannot be saved by going through acts of religion. When we have real, true, living faith in Jesus.. we will do the works like His. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father."  (John 14:12)

James has already given us examples of these kinds of works... living according to truth; loving our neighbors.. unconditionally; being totally committed to follow Him without wavering or doubt, enduring the tests of our faith; persevering through trials;  not being deluded or deceived by our self-centered thinking, but being an effectual doer of the word.   Abraham believed God and acted accordingly.  Rahab believed and acted by helping the Israelite spies. True faith is life changing!

Father in heaven, Jesus told us to ask.. in His name, "anything" and He would do it... that You would be glorified. We ask for true, living faith that works.. that produces the works of Jesus.. to the glory of Your Holy Name. Let us not be deceived by the dead faith like that of the demons. But, let our faith be perfected, like the faith of Abraham.  Thank You for hearing our prayer and doing in us what only You can do, for we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.