The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 21-26)

Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 21-26)

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. 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 – James 2:21-26

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Absolutely NO soul is Sovereignly “saved” securely BY their own waning “works” of the “flesh” nor without becoming a “new creation” cradled “in Christ” a fresh...

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17

This jurisdictional “justifying” and supernatural “sanctifying” perfecting POWER granted of “God” includes: righteous “repentance,” sure “submission,” overt “obedience,” lauded “love” as well as ALL other good “works” of which the “Holy Spirit” Himself powerfully produces in the “life” of a true “believer” betrothed – PRAISE the Lord!

And to paraphrase “James” as such: “FAITH + NOTHING = NOTHING!” Non-saving “dead” and LIFELESS fickle “faith” is keenly known by the absence of righteous “works” for our sweet “Savior” surmised. Therefore, throughout these closing passages, “James” diligently describes the kind of "living faith” that personally PLEASES our great “God” of which was “made perfect” in the One and ONLY Begotten God-man – Jesus Christ!

A LIVING Faith!

Here “James” totally testifies to the sure “saving” and lauded "living faith” with a few Old Testament illustrations mined FROM the luminous lives of these THREE faithful followers of “God” in kind:

ONE: The luminous “life” of adamant ~ Abraham!

TWO: The luminous “life” of insightful ~ Isaac!

THREE: The luminous “life” of righteous ~ Rahab!

Therefore, here in this solemn section of the Sovereignly sent “scripture” sanctioned, the justified “James” personally provides for us yet another TEST of the “true faith” realized through the wonderful – WORKS of the Spirit!

Abraham & Isaac!

Any “faithful” pastor would want to willfully WARN his beloved “brethren” about the reality of non-saving “faith” and “James” is indeed NO exception! Up to this point, he has shown us what a “dead faith” is and now he will show us by careful CONTRAST how a legitimate “living faith” fully makes manifest through the legitimate “life” of the – TRUE Believer!

Here “James” continues structuring his articulate ARGUMENT as if in a decisive debate with a jaundice “Jewish” attendee seated within his “assembly” of whom is arguing that a “faith” found to be with NO willful “works” is vividly valid. And in so doing, he rightly refers to an Old Testament patriarch as a PRIME example ensued:

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? – James 2:21-22

When “James” amalgamates that "Abraham our father” as such, he has in mind that “Abraham” is the “father” not only of the Jews racially, but also of the Gentiles to whom “believe” boldly in “God” unto sure “salvation” in kind. Therefore, “Abraham” is the “father” of absolutely ALL of the “faithful” followers of “God” combined – ONE in Messiah!

HISTORICAL HINTS: Therefore, “Abraham” was clearly “justified by faith” before GOD outlined in Genesis chapter 12 for his “obedience” of which were later made manifest through “works” before MAN made manifest some 40 years later as outlined in Genesis chapter 22 in kind. Interestingly, the closest thing that “Abraham” ever came to a thorough THEOLOGY of a real “resurrection” was by the birth of his second “son” named “Isaac” out of the DEAD womb of his wife “Sarah” celebrated in her OLD age amassed. And yet his “faith” was so STRONG that he “believed” his very own beloved “son” would indeed come back to a living LIFE again…

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son – Genesis 22:1-13

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure – Hebrews 11:17-19

Incidentally, this verse vindicated vibrantly by “James” has really caused TROUBLE for many people. HOW? Was “Abraham” really “justified by works” of his own when he offered “Isaac his son upon the altar” to be sacrificed unto the glorious “God” of heaven as commanded? NO! What does it mean to be “justified” before “God” Himself? It actually means to be considered RIGHT with Him. However, a person can NOT be rightly “justified by works” set apart from “God” granted. Therefore, NO personal merit made of ANY kind is possible. WHY? Because it is ONLY by a firm “faith” can anyone be made “righteous” before “God” Almighty. And the good news of the great “Gospel” granted is that the Holy “righteousness” of the Justifier “Jesus Christ” is instantly “imputed” to our spiritual account, becoming “justified by faith” when we rightly “received” Him as our “Savior” secured – IMPUTED Righteousness!

Faith & Works: A Divine DISTINCTION!

Then “James” continues his apt ARGUMENT by further quoting Old Testament historical “scripture” to emphatically emphasize the fixed “faith” of “Abraham” was “fulfilled” and precisely HOW he was “justified” before “God” in full: 

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 – James 2:23-24

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: It is here where “James” unpacks a poignant passage of important DISTINCTION derived from the book of Genesis and understands exactly what it actually MEANS when the ardent “Abraham” was himself justly “justified by faith” before GOD but was “justified by works” before MAN as such…

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness – Genesis 15:6

Therefore, “Abraham” was magnificently “made perfect” by his fomented “faith” firmly willed ”wrought with his works” unto his overt OBEDIENCE and as a righteous RESULT had eagerly experienced this beautiful blessing. And “Abraham” himself was NOT a professing perfect man. In fact, his “faith” was so weak, he actually LIED about “Sarah” being his sister when they were in “Egypt” proper. WHY? Because he desired to personally protect HIMSELF from danger. He also foolishly committed ADULTERY as such. HOW? By caustically conceiving a belligerent BABY with the handmaid “Hagar” holdened, therefore producing “Ishmael” of whom went on to originate the ascribed Arab nations of which became a theological THORN in the side of “Israel” to this – VERY Day!

In fact, “James” is actually quoting the very SAME text of which “Paul” also refers to in the book of Romans in kind…

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness – Romans 4:1-5

In other words, “Abraham” indeed “believed in the Lord” to the degree that he was willing to surely SACRIFICE the looming “life” of his “only son” as such. WHY? Because he was so STRONG in his foundational “faith” that his great “God” would “raise” this young “Isaac” from the “dead” domain of death – Faith & Works: A Divine DISTINCTION!

This man “Abraham” was a co-partner with the Holy One and it was made MANIFEST through his outworking genuine spiritual CHARACTER confirmed . Incidentally, it wasn’t until later in the Old Testament books of 2 Chronicles and again in Isaiah where this man “Abraham” is rightly referred to as the “friend of God” Himself…

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? – 2 Chronicles 20:7

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend – Isaiah 41:8

In fact, “Jesus” proclaimed in John as such…

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you – John 15:14

Therefore, “we” too are “friends of God” if we’ll likewise – OBEY His Word!

Rahab!

Then “James” chooses a woman named “Rahab” from the Old Testament narrative of whom is so remarkably unlike the aforementioned “Abraham” asunder:

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? – James 2:25

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: This man “Abraham” is a godly man, a great leader and received DIRECT revelation from the “God of heaven” Himself. This woman “Rahab” is an evil woman, a common follower and received very INDIRECT revelation about the “God of heaven” Himself. And believe it or not, the “Messiah” came through the loins of “Rahab the harlot” herself! This waning woman “Rahab” lived in the “city of Jericho” and ran a brothel where women PROSTITUTES would sleep with men for money and that was how she made her living. However, by the great “grace of God” granted, this woman takes in the “messengers” rightly realizing who they are and to WHOM they soundly serve…

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall – Joshua 2:11-15

When that woman “believed” this terrific TRUTH about the “Lord” she was indeed “justified” justly before “God” and boldly “believed” that HE was the true “God” of many MIRACLES in Whom had led His precious “people” out of “Egypt” and dully defeated the assaulting “Amorite” kings! She had “believed” all she “knew” about this great “God” at that trying time in her life and thus “faith” was instantly “imputed” to her soul’s SPIRITUAL account for realized “righteousness” sake…

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace – Hebrews 11:31

At that point “Rahab” was “justified” alone BY her found “faith” being boldly vindicated before “man” by the apt ACTION she took to save the life of those godly “messengers” mandated – Justification!

In BOTH cases concerning “Abraham” and “Rahab” the visible vindication of their “justification” was putting their life, dreams and hopes on the LINE for the glorious “God” Almighty! That is the KIND of wonderful “work” of which HE wants each of “us” to uniquely “understand” as deeply DEMONSTRATED in true “faith” fixed – All FOR Him!

A DEAD Faith!

Finally, “James” then CLEARLY concludes this challenging chapter with a VIVID vantage point of a decaying corpse:

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also – James 2:26

Here is a somber analogy and in both cases, the result is DEATH determined. If the “spirit” is surely MISSING from the “body” it is dreadfully “dead” and if willful “works” are indeed MISSING from a fake “faith” it too is “dead” in kind. A particular professing lifeless “body” found to be WITHOUT the dictates of a Divinely imparted “life” is nothing LESS than a rotting corpse and has absolutely NO vindicated value. And likewise, a phony “belief” bemoaned WITHOUT a godly “behavior” beset is indeed – A DEAD Faith!

In closing:

When “we” place our “faith” firmly ALONE in the Justifier “Jesus Christ” His real “righteousness” was instantly thus “imputed” unto “us” for the full FORGIVENESS of sordid “sins” and therefore “we” could NOT earn it. This NEW life was “received” as a free granted – Gift FROM God!

Likewise, “Abraham” was justly “justified by faith” set before GOD but he was “justified by works” set before MAN as such. Can you DISCERN the definite DIFFERENCE determined?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:8-10

That's the purposed point of which “James” is making! Therefore, our “works” are the ONLY way our “faith” can be clearly seen and verified by other people as VALID vindication. In other words, the ONLY way I can “know” I'm genuinely “redeemed” by GOD Himself is to verify the consistent growing pattern of “godliness” in my life. The outward evidence of a TRUE telling – SAVING Faith!

That said, there may be a time in the “life” of a true “Christian” when there is a “fruitless” sordid SEASON of brief barrenness bemoaned. As a result redescent, one may even LOSE their apt “assurance” of their “salvation” security. WHY? Because they can NOT see this righteous REALITY due to a prolonged period of WILLFUL decisive “disobedience” derived in their life. However, they MUST take heart. WHY? Because TRUE ascertained “assurance” is indeed a beautiful gracious “gift” gratefully granted BY our great “God” in heaven. Therefore, our Eternal Security is a Biblically fantastic fact and our “assurance” of “salvation” is something we ENJOY eagerly. WHY? Because of our “obedience” lived OUT unto our grand “God” according to His – Wonderful WORD!

With these IMPORTANT thoughts mined from “James” fresh in “our” minds, a true “Christian” may be living in a barren spiritual SEASON of life. However, if there is a consistent pattern of usurped unrepentant sin along with NO equivocal evidence of “God’s” wonderful “work” surely SEEN in their life, the Sovereignly secure “scriptures” are quite CLEAR as glass… That maniacal measure of “a man” manifested is defiantly NOT a called-out “Christian” convert – Very SERIOUS!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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