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JUSTIFIED BY WORKS?
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
James 2:21

Romans 4:1-3

 

“…For if Abraham were justified
by works, he hath whereof to glory;

but not before God.”

 

JUSTIFIED BY WORKS?
 
James poses another question in James 2:21. He probably heard these arguments from those who hold the idea that Abraham did a work to add to his faith in order to be saved.
 
James does not speak here of the cause of justification or how men obtain righteousness. His object was only to show that good works are always connected with salvific faith. He was saying that Abraham’s obedience to the command of God proved Abraham’s faith. Long before the offering of Isaac, Abraham already had faith in God. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Heb 11:8).
 
When Abraham brought his son Isaac in obedience to God’s command, he had faith already. This incident was recorded in Genesis 22:9-12. In Genesis 15:6, Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Thus, obedience to the command of God was his proof or justification of his faith. Abraham did not do it in order to be saved. He did it because he had that personal relationship with His Saviour and LORD!
 
Some have imagined a contradiction between James’ declaration of Abraham being justified by works and Paul’s unequivocal teaching that he was justified solely by grace through faith (Rom 4). This is not the case. James has emphasised it is by God’s gracious gift that a man is saved (James 1:17-18). Let us be comforted with the truth that we know we are truly saved because of the evidence of the Spirit of God indwelling within us who causes us to do good according to His words. Keeping and obeying His words are signposts that tell we are in the right lane. Do not deviate from the only way to heaven!
 
THOUGHT: Is my faith proven by the good works produced by my salvation?
PRAYER: Father, let the good works in my life prove the genuineness of my salvation from Thee.

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