S – But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

 James 2:18–19 CSB

O – Commentary: The “belief” in one God may not be “trust” in that God. Unless it is “trust,” it is not true faith and will not be evidenced in good works… James did not say that works are essential to faith, or that faith is unimportant. His argument was that works are evidence of faith…

Other writers understand this passage to mean that James (v. 18b) challenged the “someone” to show his faith without deeds—the point being that it cannot be done.

    The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – Faith and works work together seamlessly.  It is hard for me to fathom any sense of trust in God that would not result in an action.  None of us are in a place where we are that isolated or immobile.  There is usually something to be done or a person involved.  Even if it is a different way of thinking, that is an action.  An example is the thief on the cross or a “deathbed” conversion.  In trusting in Christ, the thief was granted transformation and forgiveness.  That is trust and faith.  He believed Jesus to be who he said he was.  If his only action in that was to ask to be with Jesus in paradise, that was enough.

R – Lord, help me to walk in faith and works today.  Not relying on either to be the source of my salvation and relationship with you.  You are my source.