“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14-17).
Human history is littered with examples of fraud: fool’s gold, fake jewels, counterfeit money, forged credentials, Ponzi schemes. The list seems almost endless. An inestimable amount of personal wealth has been dishonestly obtained by fraud and deceit.
The most egregious examples of fraud are those which Satan has executed. The devil is the biggest scammer of all.
James identifies the telltale traits of a spiritual scam Satan labels as “faith”. It is the combination of some belief in God which results in platitudes. It mouths words of great care and concern for others but is void of any practical action. You never have to put your money where your mouth is. Therefore, it is utterly unprofitable to others and to you.
It is dead. Like a tree that is barren year-round.
What a fraud.
“Faith” and words is a scam.
