Wednesday: Abraham’s Faith
Read James 2:21-24 and compare it with Romans 4:1-5, Rom 4:22-24. How is the faith of Abraham described in these texts, and on what is justification based?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Interestingly, both James and Paul quote Genesis 15:6, but they seem to arrive at opposite conclusions. According to James, Abraham was justified by works, but Paul seems, in Romans 4:2, to deny this possibility explicitly (compare vs. 24).
However, the immediate context of Romans 4 has to do with whether circumcision is necessary for justification; that is, whether Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be saved (Rom. 3:28-30). Paul shows that Abraham’s faith, not his work
of being circumcised, was the basis of justification, because Abraham believed even before he was circumcised. Abraham was circumcised later as an outward sign of his inward faith (Rom. 4:9-11). But works alone, even circumcision, are not sufficient for justification, because only those who also walk in the steps of that faith [of] our father Abraham
(Rom. 4:12, NKJV) will be justified.
Is this emphasis really so different from that of James? Paul even goes on to use the same proof
of Abraham’s faith that James does (see Rom. 4:17-21). Abraham believed that God could resurrect Isaac because He gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist
(vs. 17, NASB 1995; compare Heb. 11:17-19). Paul also defines saving faith as being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform
(Rom. 4:21, NKJV). In short, faith that trusts God to keep His promises and obediently relies on His word is saving faith. These works are not works of law
but works of faith.
Or, as James puts it: Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
(James 2:22, NKJV, emphasis added).
Many stress the importance of faith and works, but even this separates the two, at least to some extent. True faith is faith working through love
(Gal. 5:6, NKJV). Good works are not just the outward sign of faith; they are the outworking of faith. Abraham’s faith in the God who created all life motivated him to obey God in offering up his only son, Isaac. According to James, it is by obedience that faith is made perfect.
What is your own experience with how works (or the lack thereof) impact your faith?
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The more I read the Bible the more I come to understand that to have faith in Jesus really means: believe, trust, surrender, obey.
I also am realizing what it means to be saved.
It is to be 'born again', to be 'a new creation', to be 'transformed or metamorphosed'. However as Nicodemus said - how is that possible? And it is true for man it is impossible, it takes a miracle and only Jesus can perform this miracle for us, and He will only do it if we ask Him to do it.
What is this transformation? We are called out of darkness into His marvellous light, we no longer walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit and we demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
To be saved is to be re-created in the image of God, to have the character of God to will and do his good pleasure.
How did Abraham demonstrated that he had been saved?
Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My Laws.
Abraham believed God is the ruler and redeemer, he trusted that God would fulfil His promise to make his descendants like the stars, he surrendered his will to God’s will and he obeyed God’s instruction and all these together proved/showed that he was living in harmony with God’s will (righteous – right with God) (he had been transformed).
Well said. Amen
Well paul and james are talking of the same thing.
While paul is addressing new converts James is addressing already believers who know but don't live the truth.
That is why the approach was different and but the same topic.
Phew! It was so refreshing to see the lesson study discuss the issue of what Paul meant by "works of the law". In previous SS lessons when this issue was discussed (justification by faith) it was always taught that "works of the law" was equivalent to "good works". But for Paul "works of the law" is a very technical term which means those things that set Israel apart from the Gentiles, primarily circumcision. That is why for Paul, Abraham was justified before circumcision, without "works of law".
James however is speaking more broadly than Paul and is referring to good works in general, obedience to the law, and has no Jew/Gentile controversy in mind. Hence for Paul and James "works" has a different definition.
In Paul's day to be circumcised was the big thing! And because of that, those people felt no need to exercise faith--being circumcised supposedly met all their need. As Seventh-Day adventists this is very relevant in that we too, might think that just because we keep the Sabbath, and don't eat unclean foods that we are justified by our "works".
We need to wake up! So (what I understand is) that Paul and James are telling us that it is our faith, motivated by love for God that manifests itself in good works. Reflecting back, I recall that it was my love for God that moved me by faith to accept the Sabbath-truth, and this same faith, exercised (as I understand it now) results in a "saving faith". Wow! This is truly a timely lesson for God's people.
Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show the universality of Justification by Faith (i.e. saving faith that leads to obedience) as the true sign (not works of law e.g. circumcision) of entering into a covenant relationship with God, and the basis of belonging to the covenant family of God. In James 2:21-24 he is saying that Abraham’s obedience was the outworking of his faith in God. It is critical to note that nowhere in Scripture is Faith represented as the means of justification. Justification by Faith is never justification on account of faith but always on account of Jesus Christ – i.e. on account of the blood of the Lamb of God being graciously imputed to and received by an underserving sinner (Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). Thus, ultimately, the ground of justification is Christ and His Righteousness alone. Remember, that we are justified not because of what faith is, but because of what faith lays hold of and receives.
Artistic creation, music, teaching, counseling, sports,etc — mastery in any field of endeavor implies that the thinking mind /”old man”(Eph4:22, Rom6:6) is either no longer involved at all or at least is taking a back seat to the “New Man” soaked in the Holy Ghost ( Colossians 3:9-11). A power and intelligence greater than you and yet one with you in essence takes over. Therefore, we co-operate. There is no decision-making process anymore; spontaneous right action happens; and “you” are not doing it. Mastery of life is the opposite of control. We become aligned with the formless God. The Most High acts, speaks, does the works through us via the Holy Ghost! (Luke 12:12 , Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11)
Chris, I see no evidence in the Scriptures that "the thinking man" is equivalent to the "old man." In fact, God explicitly invites us to come and "reason" with Him (Isa 1:18). Job, declared a righteous man by God, addressed the Almighty and argued with Him. And even though God revealed Himself in His Majesty, He testified that Job had said what was right. (Job 42:7)
The "old man" is the one who chooses to live for self, often just following the path of least resistance. The "new man" is endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit in choosing to live for Christ in she spirit of self-renouncing love.
In fact, only Satan takes over control of our minds - very often without a person's conscious choice. The teaching that God "takes over" our minds similar to the manner of demons is, in itself, a demonic teaching. It's easy to get sucked into that kind of thinking, because Christian books with such terminology abound. Your wording sounds similar to the kind of mysticism J.H. Kellogg promoted in The Living Temple, which Ellen White condemned in strong terms. And I remember a book by Will Barron, called Deceived by the New Age. (Unfortunately not available as an ebook.) He was sure he was being controlled by Jesus, but found out that he was actually controlled by a demon. A sobering book!
By contrast, God "sanctifies" our minds with our willing cooperation. Our thinking mind, our will and power of choice are continuously exercised in this experience. In fact, they are ennobled and refined, but they remain ours to exercise. The need for decision making increases; it does not decrease. However, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us steady in making the right decisions and following through on them.
The Holy Spirit refines the natural powers we possess and enables us to succeed in art, music, science, education, medicine, etc. by counseling us with His wisdom as long as we stay dependent on Him. While Satan can also inspire great works of art and music (he was, after all, chief musician in heaven), God is the originator of all creative thoughts and endeavors, and He will not withhold inspiration from His faithful followers.
Let's look at it a different way: Christ became incarnate and lived on this planet as fully human, even though He had a fully divine nature from birth. Was He spared the necessity of making decisions because He was filled with the Holy Spirit? Surely His temptations in the wilderness tell us otherwise. Likewise with us - through the new birth, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, but that does not take from us our power of choice nor the necessity to make decisions. We do not become robots!
God does not want robots to control. He wants friends (John 15:14-15) with whom He can communicate. It's not possible to be "friends" without having individuality and will of our own.
Thinking from the perspective of a sin soaked individual vs. thinking from the perspective of an Christ filled individual is what I am getting at. All humans think, but some are trapped or cloaked in a veil of decency, which man are you... old or new?
Hi Chris,
Your language is colorful, but perhaps a little confusing. 😉 Yes, we are "sin-soaked," insofar as there is nothing good in us without Christ. We are naturally in opposition to God's Law. It's an attitude of the mind.
Now, as for a "Christ-filled" individual, that may be also a confusing for some, as well. Since Christ is a person, not a substance, we are "filled" with the Holy Spirit through submitting our will to His. That doesn't mean we no longer have our will, but it does mean that we consult Him for every decision, and, as we get to know Him better - as in any love relationship - our own will becomes more and more like His. And we can finally get to the point where when we are following our own impulses, we are doing the will of God, because our impulses have been gradually transformed as we have been transformed into His likeness. Does that make sense?
Not sure what you mean by "but some are trapped or cloaked in a veil of decency."
Yes, we need to ask ourselves whether we consciously submit ourselves to Christ each day (even though we make mistakes), which is how the "new man" behaves or whether we don't give Christ a thought, which is how the "old man" behaves.
There is an important comment in the lesson that resonated with me.
"In short, faith that trusts God to keep His promises and obediently relies on His word is saving faith. These works are not “works of law” but “works of faith.”
Works of faith reflect real faith in God's saving grace and in His promises (John 3:16). This was demonstrated by Abraham when he offered up his own son (i.e., Abraham's “works” had nothing to do with law-keeping). In contrast, works of law are not saving "works" since law-keeping cannot save us.
In short, "works of faith" reflect faith that saves us whereas "works of law," while important (John 14:15), do not save us.
Very good comments. You do a good job of clarifying the difference between "works of the Law" which reliance and faith in works VERSUS "works of faith" (which are very clearly portrayed in Romans, 1:5; 16:26; 2:7; 6:16,17; 10:16 'heed' the 'good news' = 'obey' the 'gospel') which are the natural external component of the internal belief in the spirit. External works of faith are necessary because we are mind, body, and soul. A man that truly believes as he stands before the cross of Christ is a man who is turning from dead works to walk a path of righteousness.
I have often preached that going to the cross tells all you need to know for a response. Because the cross is good news, it only makes sense that we would confess it with our tongue. Because the shed blood of Christ is for the sins I have committed, it only makes sense to conclude repentance is called for. Because it is a death, I must die, be buried, and be resurrected to walk a new life, Romans 6:3-7.
God bless you. Dan
He does not have faith who does not live according to his faith.
It is my understanding that no works, works of the law or works of faith, justifies us. God justifies base on faith only, then works (of faith) keep us "justfied" (sanctified). Genuine Faith is always accompanied by works - works of faith that evidence the trust in God. Faith comes first (and justifies) then the works as a direct consequence of the faith follows. Therefore faith without works is dead in one of two ways.
(1) If the faith were genuine then once the works stop faith is killed/dead, for works always evidence faith. No works is the evidence of no faith.
(2)The faith was not genuine faith. The so called faith was psuedo, only an intellectual accent but no trust, for it is not genuine faith. If you trust you will act on that trust.
The difficult part of James discourse is James 2:24. For James to be be correct his justification would have to mean something different from the traditional definition of justification. So if James is saying, to remain justified (as oppose to becoming justified) you have to have the works (of faith) then he is in keeping with the writings of Paul. If however he is using it in the traditional way of been made right (cleansed etc.) by/with God then I would conclude he has a different understanding from Paul.
Brethren, my 2 cents worth on Abraham's faith and works:
Faith always comes in the company of 5 other attributes:
1. It is based in God's Word - in the case of Abraham, God said it. (The Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent God can be trusted!)
2. Abraham saw what was 'invisible' to those around him, because he put on the 'eyes' of faith. How can you explain the incident in mount Moriah? Or even the departure from Ur of the Chaldees? Faith is the evidence of things not seen.
3. Abraham's faith was always active, dynamic, doing something about the Word he heard from God.
4. Faith makes possible those things that are humanly impossible - faith allows us through the power of God to do the impossible! Abraham siring Isaac? Me working good works pleasing in the sight of a righteous God? It can only take a miracle, the miracle of faith.
5. Faith is always connected with a reward. God rewards that which our faith is focused on. Hebrews 11:6. All those who diligently sought God were rewarded. Hebrews 11:26. Abraham was, and is to be rewarded by a better promise of an heavenly Canaan. Hebrews 11:9.
To Donald Umar, I would respectfully disagree. His words are a typical explanation to depict two faiths - one before salvation and one after. The false depiction is driven by "faith alone" doctrine and says that to be saved you only need the faith that has no works/obedience (se, Romans 4) and after salvation you need the other faith (see James 2). But this is the creation of a false dichotomy. The truth is that there is only one faith (Rom 1:17) and it is obedient, from beginning to end. The proper understanding is that the: 1] Faith is always in God instead of one's works, 2] Faith is always obedient. If our faith is in our works (ala, Romans), then it is fleshly. If our faith doesn't have works(ala, James), then it is dead. Said in love, Dan Mayfield
To Dan Mayfield, thank you for the observation.
You will agree with me that Paul and James are not arguing, just like you and I are in harmony.
I'm sorry if you find words in my comment that seem to emphasize either beliefs or work.
My point is that James and Paul are speaking to two different group of people and as such the need of the people is what they provided at that certain time.
In the case of Paul who is speaking to new believers who are in the risk of being legalist, He made clear to them that faith in Jesus can save them because Jesus need broken hearts which He desire to reform into His likeness, and only He can do that so that they don't do good to be saved but as a result of being saved. AT this particular time this is what they need to know.
James speaking to matured believers who knew what to do but are not doing it. That why James emphasize works because the people have what is needed to produce good works but they aren't. Therefore these group of people need to have works corresponding to what they believe using Abraham as a figure of faith.
Hi Donald, Thank you for the kind and respectful response. And in my disagreement, I hope I didn't sound discourteous. I agree with your explanation. My final word would be a reminder, again, that 1]faith must be 100% in God and not in our works; 2] faith must have works or it is dead. God bless you. Dan
Hi Donald,
There is a similar difference in emphasis in the messages from Jesus:
In Matthew 25 he emphasizes : what you have done to the least of these
however in Revelation 14 he emphasizes : who do you worship
Jesus meets people where they are and speaks to them in terms of their history, however he doesn't leave them there, he draws them to where they can dwell with Him.
I also think, the differences between Paul and James are due to different audiences. Paul has to combat those who are trying to arrive at justification by misusing works of the law to that purpose (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:20.28; 9:31-32). James, on the other hand, is addressing those, possibly going to the other exreme and misunderstanding Paul in some kind of only-faith/grace doctrine excluding any works. The terminology in James is somewhat different: while Paul is talking of works of the law (see Pauline references above), James is talking of a faith-work-relationship combining both in an inseparable unity (James 2:14.17-20.22.24)--- on that point aggreeing with Paul (Galatians 5:6).
The whole passage is misunderstood if attention is not paid to the fact that James is relating the whole passage in context to the great day of final judgement (James 2:12-13). Paul and James aggree in stating that judgement on that day will be carried out in considering works done at life time (Romans 2:4-6.10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). James may have in mind the teaching of Christ in relation to the day of judgement in asmuch as Christ singles out those who have done deeds growing out of mercy (Matthew 25:34-36).
James is using the example of Abraham and Ruth to whow that faith is not alone. Corresponding works are following faith, to be considered at the day of judgement. Arriving there, we will have earned nothing, as the power of Christs resurrection (Philippians 3:10) and the sanctification by the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and the promise of being partakers of divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) will have get us there, providing we are willing to be made willing to unite with these salvatory agents.
Winfried Stolpmann
Why does Paul reference wages as debt in Rom 4:5??? I'm really confused by this verse, any thoughts will be highly appreciated.
Karen, if I may, I will take a stab at answering this. The legalistic approach to salvation is "being good enough" to deserve salvation. Paul makes it clear throughout Romans that we all fall short, but IF a person could be fully righteous and "good enough", then God would grant salvation to such a person as a debt or what was owed. Of course, this would mean the person wouldn't need or rely on God's saving grace in Christ. This is how the legalists were acting, as if they didn't trust in the sanctification that only comes through Jesus. So that's why he says that. Being perfect isn't possible, as we have all fallen short of his grace and there is none righteous, no not one, Rom 3:9,10,23. Paul says those words you bring up only to show the futility of the path they are taking. Hopefully they will therefore give up trying to be justified by works and put their faith wholly in Christ. It's possible to be saved by grace, but to receive salvation as what is owed is not possible. Does that help? Bless you. Dan
Hi Karen,
In everyday terms, I go to work for my boss so he owes me my wages.
I do something for him and in return he owes me my pay, so until he actually pays me he is in debt to me.
I think Paul is using this everyday language to explain that no matter what we do God does not owe us eternal life rather He gives it to us as a gift out of the goodness of His heart.
Faith that sustains one must be followed by works. For instance you can't say you have faith while totall doing nothing for Him. You must do something to witness your faith to others, otherwise it will be futile. Faith means total surrender to God which comes with self-sacrifice. James 2:22-24.
However, when we do the works, we should do them inspite of ourselves. We shouldn't do the works for God to us but because God has already shown us mercy. Our works should be motivated by our love towards our Creator and a sense of our utter helplessness. Romans 4:1-5.
We should therefore believe totally in God. We should be dependent on Him and Christ's merits for our salvation. All actions that follow would be inspite of ourselves hence giving glory to God our Creator and Redeemer. Romans 4:22-24.