Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 2 Verses 22-23 “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”

Let’s follow James’ logic in these verses and in the next one we will see his conclusion. James begins by pointing out that Abraham’s faith was active because it produced works. This tells us that James would see a faith without works as an inactive faith. In verse 26 he will say that such a faith, once without works, is dead. Such a faith is not living; it is not active. It has no power and it cannot be counted as righteousness with God.

Then James tells us that faith found its completion in works. Let’s think about that for a minute. When the book says ‘work out your salvation’ it is suggesting that salvation is not completed. Faith that is idle cannot reach a conclusion, it cannot get to the goal. That faith (idle) leads to shuddering. So, Abraham by working, brought his faith to the conclusion, it brought him to a place of justification.

Abraham’s belief led him to act and his act brought him God’s righteousness. The difference between being a servant and a friend is Abraham’s willingness to do, to act, not just believe.

Task for Today: I don’t know where you are on the scale of faith but I do know this, God is expecting you to act, to do, to work. How about it? Belief alone will let you occupy space on a pew, but it won’t get you to heaven!