When sectarians attempt to prove that one is saved by faith only, or at the point of faith, they are commonly referred to James 2:19. "Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." If one is saved "solely" by faith, the devils are saved, for it is said that they "also believe."

OBJECTION: A frequent objection to this is:

1. Christ did not die for devils, but for men.

2. No man's faith could save unless Christ died for him. Ours saves because Christ died for us.

CONCLUSION: The devils' faith cannot save, since Christ did not die for them, therefore, the parallel with them is not valid. We are saved at the point of faith, and devils would be also if Christ had died for them.

Reply:

This objection serves to reinforce, reemphasize, and reestablish the truth. Admittedly, the devils' faith cannot save. That is the Holy Spirit's point. Just as surely as the belief of devils is not unto righteousness, just that certainly a man's faith without works (obedience) cannot save. James argues that faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:14-26). Such faith cannot save. It is as incapable and ineffectual as the faith of devils. Therefore, one cannot be saved "at the point of faith," for it is like the faith of devils. It cannot save.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XV: 32, p. 9
June 17, 1971