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Daily eMail Devotional
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
James 2:18-26 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.The above verses talks about faith in relationship to good works. We as Christians believe that we are justified by faith alone. However; we need to make sure that we do good works as a result of our salvation. Good works do not save us but we prove our faith by doing good.
In short, we are justified before God by faith, but our faith is justified before men by works. A justifying faith cannot be without good works and Abraham is a good example of this.
Abraham, the father of the faithful, and the prime example of justification, to whom the Jews had a special regard (v. 21): Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Paul, on the other hand, says in Romans 4:3 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Abraham was not prefect but he was made righteous because of his faith.
Furthermore, Hebrews 11 shows that the faith of Abraham was such as to produce those good works, and which are not to be separated from faith as justifying and saving. By what Abraham did, it appeared that he truly believed. God plainly said it himself in Genesis 22: 16 & 17, “because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son. That in blessing I will bless thee”. Thus the faith of Abraham was a working faith (v. 22), it wrought with his works, and by works was made perfect. And by this means you come to the true sense of that scripture which saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness”, v. 23. And thus he became the Friend of God.
Faith, producing such works, endeared him to the divine Being, and advanced him to very peculiar favors and intimacies with God. It is a great honor done to Abraham that he is called and counted the friend of God. You see then (v. 24) how that by works a man is justified (comes into such a state of favor and friendship with God), and not by faith only; not by a bare opinion, or profession, or believing without obeying, but by having such a faith as is productive of good works.
Now besides the explanation of this passage, we can learn other useful lessons concerning Abraham. [1.] We need to have faith like Abraham did. [2.] We should glorify God with our works. [3.] We need to act upon our faith. Though Abraham ended up not sacrificing his son, he already made up his mind on obeying God’s command. It was a done deal in the mind, and spirit, and God accepts it as if fully performed and accomplished. [4.] The acts of faith make it grow perfect, as the truth of faith makes it act. [5.] Such faith will make others, as well as Abraham, friends of God. Thus Christ says to his disciples, I have called you friends, John 15:15 "Henceforth I call you not servants: for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friend; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." All transactions between God and the truly believing soul are easy, pleasant, and delightful. There is one will and one heart, and there is a mutual complacency. God rejoiceth over those who truly believe, to do them good; and they delight themselves in him.
How about you? Do you have faith that produces good work that enables you to be called a friend of God? I am certain that Abraham's great faith is a result of his consistent fellowship with God. I challenge you to spend time with God, learn more about him through his words, talk to him through prayers and act upon his commands by doing good and loving others not just your friends but more so your enemies. He is waiting and longing to have fellowship with you today, pray and ask him to come into your heart and take control of your life. Try him for he is a friend that loveth at all times (Provebs 17:17) and a friend who gave his life for you.
Pastor Andy
Don't Forget -
