BOOK OF JAMES
STUDY PART 12 - JUSTIFIED BY WORKS
James 2: 21-26 “(21) Was not our ancestor 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 justified by what he does 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.
Intro: James brings before us two striking illustrations of the truth this evening. This truth he has sought to bring to the attention of fellow believers and children of God. These two people, Abraham and Rahab the harlot, were well known to the Jews and to us today. The works that James points his finger to followed there act of Faith in God. These people are brought to our attention because their faith produced works (Eph 2:10). As in our last study, James continues to emphasize “Faith without works is dead. To some this is very offensive, to some thought provoking (Heb 11:6). ALL of us should draw truth for our individual lives from these versus. Remember some medicine that is good for us doesn’t especially taste good and some of its not so easy to take.
I. Abraham justified by works (Vs. 21-24) “(21) Was not our ancestor 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 justified by what he does and not by faith alone.—the Jews were proud to refer to Abraham as their Father. In John 8:33 “they boasted, “We are Abraham’s Seed.” In John 8:39, they boasted “Abraham is our Father.” Abraham is called in scripture the Father of the faithful. Faith was much discussed by the Jews and so Abraham is naturally the one to use for an illustration.
II. –Justified by Works- Paul used Abraham as an illustration of a man justified by Faith (Rom. 4:1-3 and Gal 3: 6,7) Does this mean that Paul and James disagree on justification (NO). Paul and James view Justification from different angles. The 4 gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John) were written from different angles in the same manner and yet still inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul looks at the source of our Justification and looks at it from God’s viewpoint (Isa. 55:8,9). James views the effects of our Justification and looks at it from the viewpoint of man (Isa. 16:7). JUSTIFIED-When Abraham had offered Isaac his son as a sacrifice upon the alter. (Gen. 22:1-14). James does not say here Abraham was justified by works bur rather that Abraham was justified by works, WHEN he had offered Isaac His Son upon the alter in obedience. Abraham was justified by Faith in God’s eyes some 40 yrs before this event of the alter (Gen. 15:6). Important to remember again, no man can attain the favor of God through works of the flesh (Tit. 3:5). Like ALL men, Abraham had to believe, trust, commit himself solely to God. Men come to God the Father only through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). These are good witnessing versus for us to remember when leading others to a relationship with God the Father.
III. (22) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did – or faith was made perfect. James here appeals to his fellow believers or the reader that faith and action go hand in hand. Look at the story of Abraham. By faith, Abraham left his home (Gen 12:1-3). He journied in a foreign land. He made sacrifices in his life to follow God. The Christian life should be the same way. From start to finish, the Christian is a life of faith manisfested by good works and obedience. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt. 7:20. Last part of Vs. 22, Faith is made complete or perfect- the word “perfect” here in the greek does NOT mean flawless, it means “full-grown or mature”. Faith reaches maturity through good works (Tit. 3:8).
IV. The scripture fulfilled (Vs. 23). (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.- This is a direct quote from Gen 15:6. Paul quoted it in Rom 4:3 and Gal. 3:6. to prove that justification is by faith. James quotes it to prove that although one is justified by faith, his faith MUST be accompanied by good works. Abraham believed God. The greatest proof that Abraham believed God was when he took Isaac to Mt. Moriah. Vs. 23, “and it was credited to him as righteousness or KJ, imputed unto him for righteousness. This is God declaring Abraham righteous. We have no righteousness so the righteousness of Christ must be imputed to us. (Isa. 64:6).
V. (Vs. 24) . (24) You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. Abraham is called in scripture “Beloved of God”. James in verse 24 appeals to the human mind and logic on the basis of Abraham that Faith without works is dead.
VI. Rahab was Justified by Works (Vs. 25 and 26) (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. – Read Heb. 11:31, this passage with our passage here gives us two important New Testament scriptures on Rahab. James here intentionally draws on a person from the opposite end of the moral and religious ladder. Rahab was a harlot and lived in Jericho in open sin. She was a gentile women unable to claim any right to Abraham’s birthright. Read Rom 3:23 “What rejoicing should be ours when from this we see the worst of sinners can be forgiven and justified before God.” Look at the time of justification, “when she gave lodging to the spies, KJ when she received the messengers”. She had probably trusted her soul to God Jehova when she hear of His divine power. (Josh. 2: 9,10). But, notice the day came when she proved her faith by her works. Apart from works, Rahab would have perished with the rest of Jericho.(I John 2:19). These two illustrations by James (Abraham and Rahab) show the consistent effectiveness of the power of God. Here, both man and woman are reached. Here, two extremes of moral behavior are seen. Here, God’s grace is working in both Jew and Gentile (Ex. 12:13 and Heb. 9:22)
VII. “Again, Faith without works is dead (Vs. 26) (26) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. – Death is the separation of the Spirit from the body (II Cor. 5:8). A dead body is good for nothing. A dead body unless buried will soon be very offensive. A body is alive only when breathing action is detected. In the same way, we know if faith is alive only when we see it acting. Abraham and Rahab proved their faith by their works. What does your profession of faith prove? All who are believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, Be careful to maintain good works. (Titus 3:8).
CONCLUSION: Remember, works without a living Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ cannot produce salvation. But a Faith or creed which faith to produce a life or labor according to God’s Word will likewise condemn you. Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior is the greatest privilege in the universe (Rom. 10) Christ will use the willing heart to prove His existence (Ps. 107:2). We need to thank God for this chapter 2 of James, because it is so practical, it hurts…