Thanks you for your response Maria.
I have no doubts that believing in Jesus Christ's promises are a necessary to be faithful, since it takes trust to believe, and belief to act faithfully. But the belief itself might not be the same as the faithfulness which might come from it. That's the simplest way to reduce what WN2 may or may not be saying, which I cannot say is accurate for sure. But if one does not first trust and believe, one can hardly act faithfully from that belief.
At no point did I say a true believer's belief was the same as that referred to in James 2:19, but that type of belief is referenced many times: that there would be many that think they are saved and find out otherwise on the last day, many that hear but do not do, many that are and will be deceived, many that will be put under a strong delusion, many that think they can make concessions to the world and still are being faithful(cleaving) to Christ's example (the divided heart or mind thinking they can serve two masters), etc. The only proof would be looking at the fruits, but then I even saw a post on another thread that said hey, even fruits can be faked. So, when it comes right down to it, only God really knows, and the rest of us must deal in probability. The way human nature works, of course nearly everyone that hears about heaven is going to say "I'm in", but that's not really going to get anyone in is it?
If a true believer is not supposed to faithfully conform to Christ's example then scriptures like:
"Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin"
"to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings"
"the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"
"and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven"
"whoever does not take up his cross"
"we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God"
"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple"
and many other difficult sayings, are discarded or disregarded as figurative and not really expecting anyone to have to do that. With easy-believism and cafeteria Christianity the message gets neutered (no pun intended).
About the last quoted verse, I take it to mean if you have been given the option of obeying and pleasing your most cherished people on earth, saving your own skin, or obeying and pleasing God, there should be no contest. Yet we know there is a contest, for the flesh and the evil one do not surrender so easily that just anyone can resist them, but only those indwelt by the HS. According to what another believer writes "This message has nothing to do with Christian families. It has no application to how a Christian should relate to believing parents, siblings, or children. If a text like this is used to call Christians to “put their ministry ahead of their family,” it is both an abuse of people and abuse of God’s Word." So what can any of us do but take the measure of trust, belief, and faith that is given us? As far as I can tell, it's either that or have none at all.
Sincerely, JWH