James 2:21

The Faith That Saves

James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" "Was not Abraham our father" -James introduces. Biblical example (an approved example) which would immediately catch the attention of all Christians. Abraham was the father of the Jewish race, but especially the father of all the faithful (Romans 4:12; Galatians 3:26). He is the spiritual ancestor of all Christians. "These to whom James wrote included many Jewish people; and those who were not would, as Christians, be interested in, and would soon acquire. knowledge of, one who occupied such. prominent place in the history of the Lord's people in earlier dispensations; and his example would, therefore, be most impressive. Further Abraham is the spiritual ancestor of all "who walk in the steps of " his faith today (Romans 4:1)" (Woods p. 143) The example of Abraham would be impressive to Christians from. Jewish background, but also very impressive to Christians from. Gentile background, who have now become the spiritual children of this great man of faith (Galatians 3:29)."justified" -"to deem to be right, to declare, pronounce to be righteous" (Vine p. 285). "To be acquitted, be pronounced and treated as righteous" (Arndt p. 197). Remember, the context is dealing with. faith that results in salvation (James 2:14). Hence, justified here must mean accounted right in the sight of God. "by works" -Not works of human invention, merit-nor works of the Law of Moses. The "works" are defined in the next statement:"when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" -Abraham was justified when he obeyed what God had commanded. It wasn't Abraham's idea to sacrifice Isaac, rather it was. command from God (Genesis 22:1).

Points To Note:

1. This above example is also found in Hebrews 11:1. A chapter that deals with the type of faith which pleases God (James 11:6), the quality of faith which results in salvation (James 10:39). What James calls. faith joined with works, the Hebrew writer simply calls "faith": "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac" (James 11:17). 2. Abraham demonstrated the same quality of faith when he obeyed God's call to leave his homeland (Hebrews 11:8), and when he believed God's promise that he and Sarah would have. son (Romans 4:17).

Do James And Paul Contradict Each Other?

James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works"

Romans 4:2 "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God".

Points To Note:

1. For those who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is silly to contend that two inspired writers could ever contradict each other---does God contradict Himself? 2. First, let the reader realize that when James uses the word "works" he is talking about an active faith,. faith that obeys God. When Paul is talking about "works" he is talking works of the Law of Moses, doing something that would earn or merit salvation (James 4:2 "he has something to boast about"; James 4:4). When James talks about. faith minus works, he is talking about mere mental assent,. conviction which can't bring itself to trust God fully. When Paul talks about faith, he is talking about an active faith,. complete trust in God (James 4:5-22). Faith with works in the book of James-is identical with the faith that saves in the book of Romans. Remember, the "faith" which is praised in Romans, is the faith by which. man lives his life (Romans 1:17). See also the following passages (Romans 1:5; Romans 2:7; Romans 2:10; Romans 6:16). 3. Romans 4:3 is. quotation from Genesis 15:6. On this occasion all that God expected of Abraham was to believe what God had promised. It is. clear misuse of Romans 4:3 to argue that one must only believe in God to become. Christian. First of all, when the statement was made, Abraham wasn't. lost man. Abraham had been. believer in God long before this. He had manifested faith by leaving Ur (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:8). He had built altars and worshipped God (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:18). Before Genesis 15:6. Melchizedek said of Abraham, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High" (Genesis 14:19). Before the statement of Genesis 15:6. God had said to Abraham, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1).

Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness---on other occasions besides Genesis 15:6. It was viewed as righteous when he left his homeland (Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1; Romans 4:13). Romans 4:22 "Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness". But this conclusion is based on verses 17-21, which refers not to Genesis 15:6. but to some 15 years later in Genesis 17:1 when Abraham is about 100 years old.

The statement in Romans 5:1 "Therefore having been justified by faith", must be kept in context. The faith of the previous verses, the faith of Abraham is an obedient and active faith (James 4:12-21).. faith by which one lives. Paul has demonstrated that all down through the life of Abraham, his obedient faith had resulted in being accounted as righteous---and much of this was before being circumcised and definitely before the Law of Moses was given. Paul's point is not than one is saved at the point of mental acceptance. Rather, that circumcision and observing the Mosaic Law are not and were not eternal conditions for salvation. Therefore, it is false to argue that circumcision and observance of the Law of Moses are eternal conditions for salvation.

Paul and James agree that the faith that results in acceptance with God is. faith that continues to act. Justification isn't. one time event that covers us all our lives. We must continue to manifest our faith, "But the righteous man shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).