Yes indeed my friend . I was once that dead faith man . OH i had head knowledge about JESUS
i had heard the gospel . I even quoated the gospel to an atheist in the marine corps .
YET I LOVED MY SIN , I DID NOT follow CHRIST , my faith was dead , DEAD .
JUST Like paul also said .
Notice when paul was writing to timothy what he had to say about those who were not taking care of their widows .
What did paul say , specifically about those who did not give , did not provide for specially their own .
HE SAID THEY HAVE DENIED THE FAITH . BAM JUST LIKE JAMES TAUGHT .
-and Matthew 25-the whole chapter-and I concur with you brother, mere accumulative head knowledge ain't going to cut it-it is the putting of the gospel into daily practice-it is walk the talk, not talk the walk.
You were a Marine, so when your sergeant gave you a COMMAND-you promptly obeyed, no questions asked!
I notice a lot of "talking" online-the Imperatives in the gospels and the epistles are COMMANDS-but it would seem the "cost is to high" and a certain redefinition is the norm, I hope you understand what I'm getting at here brother.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Later
Johann.