Cheers for your thoughts, some good reflections. How does your version of a Christian sit with James 2:19? Would demons count as Christians based on your description?
In all the Bible verses, there were actions not just belief- even the thief on the cross, who could only make one action(to speak) made it.
I don’t think we earn our way to heaven but our faith, as suggested by the theologians mentioned, should have an outworking such as following Jesus teaching.
Also the use of ‘daily life’ isn’t talking about a time frame, it’s referring more to use in real, physical life as opposed to an ethereal, mental or spiritual only philosophy.
Thanks for commenting. As to your first question James 2:19 says the demons believe there is but one god. James isn't discussing salvation. The demons shudder because the know God in an intimate. They dwelled with Him until their rebellion.
Regarding the rest, I am speaking to the question What MAKES one a Christian. It isn't works. It's faith and nothing more. Specifically, faith in Jesus Christ. That's not to say we we shouldn't add works to our faith. That's why 2 Peter 1:5-9 says:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Notice that he doesn't say lacking these qualities loses your salvation. He says it makes you ineffectual. It causes people to forget that they've BEEN CLEANSED from past sins. If you've been cleansed, you're a Christian.
James encourages Christians to move beyond mere belief and to take action, proving one's faith is effective.