WEDNESDAY -- Abraham's Faith

Read James 2:21-24 and compare it with Romans 4:1-5, and
Romans 4:22-24
How is the faith of Abraham described in these texts, and on what is justification based?
How do we synchronize what Paul wrote with what James wrote?

Both Paul and James believed in salvation by faith. Salvation includes being saved from 1) the penalty of sin (justification, the outer court), 2) the power of sin (sanctification, the holy place), and 3) the presence of sin (glorification, the most holy place). We are saved by faith unto good words and works - faith that works by love and purifies the soul.

The Quarterlies answer to the question of Abraham's faith and works:

"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; 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?

THURSDAY -- Rahab's Faith

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?” (James 2:25, NKJV).
Read Joshua 2:1-21. How do we understand this example, again in the context of salvation by faith alone?

Rahab was not an Israelite -- her knowledge of God and of faith, etc. was limited. But she had heard of the mighty works of God for Israel, and she believed that Israel's God was far greater than any of the idol gods her people were worshipping.

What must have been the thoughts in her mind? Thoughts powerful enough that she risked her life to protect two strangers (spies) from the Israelite camp. What Rahab did was NOT the popular thing to do. All of Jericho was keyed up to high alert to defend themselves against Israel. To harbor an Israelite in such a situation would be high treason.

So what motivated her to risk her life to protect the spies?

Rahab focused on the godly mission of the spies and her realization that they represented the God of Israel. Rahab didn't believe just in the existence of God, she literally believed that God was actively involved in the lives of His people. That is, she believed it was He who was bringing Israel into the Promised Land. She was willing to accept Israel's God as the true God and to forsake her idols.

Rahab stated confidently: "I know that the Lord has given you the land."
The apostle James later wrote: "Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" (James:2:25)—her works being a natural response to her faith.

Paul says works without faith amounts to NOTHING
James says faith without works is DEAD.

Are they in contradiction or just approaching the same truth from two different sides?

Probably the first foundation stone to establish is this:
neither our faith nor our works in and of themselves save anyone

Christ saves

Faith lays hold of that salvation
Works manifest our hold on Christ.

Saying faith and works are two sides of the same coin is like saying the peach and pit are two different things. Faith and works are so inseparable as to make it impossible to treat them separately. We cannot have one without the other. They are always together. Like the Godhead.

This next lesson (Nov. 8-14) really hits on a target of importance.

Sabbath: Taming the untameable Tongue

James wrote:
Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:7-10

Jesus said:

"‘For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned’ ”(Matt. 12:37, NKJV).

The power of the tongue is great.
Not only because it's effect on those who hear the words we speak but also upon our own lives!

3 We put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s impulse directs.

So too, the words that come out of our mouths have an enormous power to steer our whole attitudes and thoughts. James has said that if a man can control his tongue, he can control his entire body. But mankind, in his own strength has no control over his tongue and there is a devastating result for the whole body – it is corrupted by the tongue.

And words do "hurt". The old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me," are false.

Words can be deadly too. James 3:5,6 says, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” In the dry heat of the Middle East a fire can start with just a tiny spark, yet it can cause untold devastation. Like a fire, gossip spreads fast and far. Like a fire, harsh words invade the mind and burn up joy, peace, and love.

The lesson tells us:
"The written word is powerful, too, and even more lasting. Most powerful of all is God’s Word. Consider:“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105); and “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps. 119:11). Jesus directed the attention of the disciples away from temporal blessings to something much more vital: “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Words can soothe and reassure or poison and contaminate. How often have you said something you wished you could take back?

I replied to this here.

Lesson for November 15-22

The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom

Read for This Week’s Study:
James 3:13-4:10
Deut. 4:6
Gal. 5:17
Jere. 3:6-10 Jere. 3:20
Acts 19:13-16
Psalms 24:3-6 .

Memory Text: “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10, NASB 1995).

In Saturday's comments our attention is drawn to a common practice in the world--
The drive to advance in a job or position at the expense of others. The practice of pushing others down to get ahead.

"It would be nice to think that selfish rivalry is confined to secular organizations and that the church operates quite differently. Unfortunately, Scripture indicates that all too often worldly “wisdom” also operates among believers.

This week let’s see what the Word of God has to say about this unfortunate reality."