JAMES 2
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
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.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
JUSTIFICATION DEMONSTRATED BY OBEDIENCE
We are justified purely by our faith in Christ alone by grace alone. However, our faith is not static. It is a dynamic force within our lives that leads to good works that bring glory to God. When James speaks of faith by works, he does not contradict Paul; rather he is telling the reader that true saving faith produces a desire to serve God and engage in actions that blesses His people and those who need to know the love of the Savior.
Paul states that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3-6. James uses the illustration of Abraham’s offering of Isaac to show how faith is more than just an affirmation that God’s word is truth; it is unquestioned obedience to God.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
How can you tell that someone is a Christian? Is it their worship? Their political affiliation? Their denomination? No, it is their obedience to Christ’ commands.
A Christian is obedient because they have been justified. Paul says, we make it our aim to please Him. How can we please Him? By being obedient to His Word.
In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul says, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
Who enlists us? Who justifies us? Is it not Christ? The Lord won’t ask us to sacrifice our son on the altar, but He does ask us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
Abraham showed his obedience to God; he wasn’t justified by sacrificing Isaac. Abraham’s actions showed that his faith was real.
Authentic faith will produce genuine obedience.
Amen
KK
JAMES 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?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Scarlet woman
In the west, we often call a prostitute a scarlet woman, Rahab was certainly that.
She received the spies. She hid them, and she mislead the authorities in Jericho. This was all very good, but what places her in the hall of faith is her declaration concerning the God of Israel. As you read the story, you see that she was totally convinced that the Israelites were going to capture Jericho; there was no question in her mind. Rahab knew that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the true and living God.
She did all she could to help the spies, but it was her faith in the true God that led to her deliverance when the city of Jericho was destroyed.
21 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
She could have said, I believe in the power of God, I believe these men are telling the truth, but the simple act of hanging the cord, shows that her faith was backed up by actions.
Likewise in Exodus chapter 12, God told the Children of Israel to put blood on the doorposts so that the death angel would pass over them.
They could have said, “We believe you Moses.” But had they not applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts they would have perished like the Egyptians. Rahab was justified by her faith in God as seen in the story, but her actions in hanging the scarlet cord, completed it and made it active.
James has a wonderful discourse in Chapter 2, Faith in Christ saves us from our sins, AND produces works of obedience to the living God.
God bless you
KK