#BibleStudy Expressions of Faith. James Ch 2. In Case You Still Don’t “get it.” Part 1



Opening Statement
The spiritual needs of humanity take precedence over the political concerns of culture at large.

Background
I first read that sentence last week in a post by a long-time friend. Dr. Robert Smith is a former pastor, a gifted teacher, a Bible scholar, and a lover of fountain pens and all things Spam. His ability to explain Biblical truths in layman’s terms is a gift. I got permission to use his writing in my Timeless Truth post, “Serving the Gospel,” on 7/2/2020.

My Sunday school class is studying the book of James. The sessions are open discussions of a series of questions I provide. Often, insight from my class members humbles my thoughts on a topic.

I hope by the end of this three or four week (more if needed) series, you have an enhanced appreciation of James’s letter and a desire to address the Opening Statement in a manner you might not have considered before. 

To give rightful credit to Dr. Smith, all quotes from his original “Serving the Gospel” are italicized.

Scripture quotes from James are from Eugene H. Peterson’s “The Message – The Bible in Contemporary Language.” Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson and used as allowed by the author.


21-24 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
James 2:21-24

The second chapter in James ends by including two memorable characters in Hebrew history as examples of combining faith and works.

This blog post focuses on the first of the two: Abraham

Abraham is considered the Father of the Jewish Nation.
  • He left his home country and traveled to what is now the nation of Israel.
  • God promised him a son so he could be the literal father of a nation blessed by God.
  • He believed in that promise for twenty-five years, and he was 100-years-old.
  • If that’s not faith…

The works part referred to by James in verse 21 was when Abraham took his son Isaac up Mount Moriah along with some wood for a sacrifice, but no sacrificial animal.
  • Even though this is the promised son, and Abraham and Sarah’s only child, Abraham is willing to do the work of sacrificing Isaac if that’s what it takes to follow God.
  • Abraham raises his knife to sacrifice his son…

11 Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

12 “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.”

13 Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Genesis 22:11-13

Abraham modeled how faith and works function as a team by God's design.
  • Every Jew reading this letter or hearing it read aloud knew exactly what James meant in the last sentence of verse 24.
  • That's a powerful example from a nation's hero.
  • But, James doesn't end with the nation's hero THE example of faith and works collaboration.

His closing example, the last blog post in this series, had to leave many readers shocked, 

BUT, fully aware of the universality of the Gospel. 


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