Faith that is seen

James asks a question and the answer is yes!

“…Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (YES!) ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2 v 20-26)

James has 2 stories to tell and here is the first one.

He cites Genesis 15:6 in verse 23, and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”

The context is that Abraham has been promised a son, and many thousands of descendants as numerous as the stars, even though the natural circumstances make this impossible, when Abraham is 100 and Sarah 99!!

But Abraham believes and has faith, a faith that is apart from works, and this faith was counted to him as righteousness. 

James keeps reading Genesis and moves on to ch 22 where God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son. What does he test? 

God tests his faith. Will Abraham prove his faith? 

And James says in the proving of this faith he was considered righteous or justified v24, by what he does, by his works. What does this mean? 

Is James saying two different things here?

The Apostle Paul says we’re not justified by works. Has James got this wrong?

But what Paul did say is that from the outset of our Christian lives, no amount of works or deeds will save us, we are completely saved and justified by God’s grace, because of faith in him. 

And this is actually what James is saying too, for he says that Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness from the outset, when he believed. Just like when we first believe, it’s all because of our initial faith. 

But James goes on to show how we continue to hold to the faith and have assurance that we are right with God, by stating how 12 years later, after Abraham’s belief in God’s promise, Abraham maintains his right standing with God, through his works, that display his faith. 

You see his faith displayed. It is not just merely a belief in what God has said, his faith is seen through his obedience. 

And this is what Paul confirms in Galatians 5:6, what counts is not just faith alone, but ‘faith working through love.’ Faith that justifies proves itself through love. A faith that is seen.