James 2:21-24 Part 2 of 2

Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

 

And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."

Genesis 15:6  And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. (see also Romans 4:3)

Romans 4:5  But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

Romans 4:9-12  Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous--even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised. (see all chapter 4)

Galatians 3:6-7  In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. (see verses 1-14)

 

He was even called the friend of God. 

Isaiah 41:8  "But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, ..." (see verses 8-10)

2 Chronicles 20:7  "O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?" (see verses 1-30)

 

So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.