Scripture References: James 2:14-24; Genesis 22:1-19; Hebrews 11:17-19; Romans 4:1-5
Intro: Good morning. In our James series, we arrive at a challenging passage: James 2:14-24, where James insists faith without works is "dead" and "useless." This can feel jarring alongside the doctrine of justification by faith alone. James uses Abraham offering Isaac (Genesis 22) as his prime example to show how living faith is completed and demonstrated through costly obedience.
Key Points:
- The Problem: Dead Faith (vv. 14-17): James confronts a faith that consists only of words or intellectual assent ("Someone says he has faith...") but lacks corresponding action. Like offering empty words ("Go in peace, be warmed and filled") to someone physically needy, faith without practical expression is lifeless. Even demons believe intellectually (v. 19).
- Abraham's Example: Faith Completed by Works (vv. 21-22): James points to Genesis 22, where God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise. Abraham's willingness to obey this agonizing command demonstrated his faith was real. James says, "faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works." The action proved and perfected the inner belief.
- "Justified by Works" Explained (v. 21, 24): When James says Abraham was "justified by works," he doesn't contradict Paul's teaching of justification by faith alone (Rom 4). James uses "justified" here to mean demonstrated or proven righteous. Abraham's initial justification was by faith (Gen 15:6), but his later work of offering Isaac publicly vindicated or showed that faith to be genuine and alive.
- Result: Friend of God (v. 23): Because Abraham's faith was proven real through obedience, "he was called a friend of God." This intimate status is linked to active trust.
- Source of Abraham's Obedience: Prior Grace & Friendship: How could Abraham obey? Not willpower alone, but his deep history with God. God had already shown Abraham immense grace and called him friend, despite Abraham's significant past failures (lying about Sarah twice). Abraham knew God's merciful, faithful character first. This established relationship, initiated by God's grace, empowered Abraham to trust and obey even when it cost him everything.
- Our Motivation: Friendship by Grace: We obey, not to earn God's friendship or acceptance, but because He has already made us His friends through Christ's finished work. Knowing we are His beloved children and friends empowers us to embrace the "good death" (dying to self, control, comfort) that costly obedience often requires.
Conclusion: James teaches that living faith and works are inseparable. Works don't save us, but they inevitably flow from and demonstrate a faith that is alive. Abraham's example shows that costly obedience, empowered by a prior relationship of grace and friendship with God, is the mark of genuine, completed faith.
Call to Action: Examine your faith. Is it producing works of obedience, even costly ones? Don't rely on trying harder. First, rest in your identity as God's friend, accepted by grace through Jesus. Let His immense love and forgiveness toward you fuel a response of trusting obedience, even when it requires embracing a "good death" to your own plans or comfort.
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