Truth Finder Supporter

James 2:19 means that demons comprehend that GOD exists and even though they believe, it does not benefit them in order for them to escape the wrath of GOD through the blood of JESUS. The substitutionary atonement of the Son of GOD only applies to sinful mankind. In this section of scripture, James is emphasizing that the outcome of our faith will manifest a change in our behavior and therefore our behavior is a result of us being born again spiritually. Demons therefore cannot receive salvation even if they were repentant.

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Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

James is making the point, as can be seen in the following verses (18, 24, 26), that having faith alone is not enough for righteousness and justification before God...for his audience, the twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1). His audience must "repent", and "endure unto the end" of their future seven prophetic years of tribulation for the remission of their sins when Christ returns to earth (Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13, John 6:27):

Acts 3:19-21 (Peter speaking to "ye men of Israel" Acts 3:12)
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

This is in complete contradiction to what Paul states (the apostle to the Gentiles) for the church, which is the body of Christ (Rom 3:28, Rom 5:1, Gal 2:16, Gal 3:11, Gal 3:24, Eph 2:8-9), which has already received full forgiveness of their sins:

2 Cor 5:19
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Eph 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Col 2:13
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"

However, concerning Israel...

Rom 11:7-11
"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

Rom 11:25-29
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

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Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

I took a class (a course) at Dallas Theological Seminary called "Evangelism Explosion," I think it was, and we used as our textbook, James Kennedy's Evangelism Explosion. We studied the book and were taught in class, and then went out every Tuesday night to present the gospel in homes where the people had visited a church, at least once. It was rewarding!

"Even the demons believe, and shudder Demons expressed belief in the divine (Mark 1:24; 5:7; Acts 16:16–17). They also demonstrated fear before Christ (Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). Here, James emphasizes that acceptance of a creed is not enough to save a person." --Faithlife Study Bible 

"19. Tremble (φρίσσουσιν). Only here in New Testament. It means, originally, to be rough on the surface; to bristle. Hence, used of the fields with ears of corn; of a line of battle bristling with shields and spears; of a silver or golden vessel rough with embossed gold. Aeschylus, describing a crowd holding up their hands to vote, says, the air bristled with right hands. Hence, of a horror which makes the hair stand on end and contracts the surface of the skin, making “gooseflesh.” Rev., much better, shudder."--Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.

Knowing God vs. Trusting God

James is emphasizing the difference between knowing about God and trusting in God. There are only 18 inches separating people from going to Heaven or Hell. That is the distance between your head and your heart. People can know in their heads that Jesus existed or even that He still exists, did miracles, etc., but if they don't accept Him as their personal Savior, it does them no good.

Saving faith

Saving faith is more than just believing that God exists, it's also believing in what Christ has done to save people from their sins.

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