the language of actions
Here James gives historical illustrations to reinforce the ideas of verses 14-20. Have you ever wondered why God took Abraham through the whole exercise of offering Isaac as a sacrifice?[1] Didn’t God already know what was in Abraham’s heart? Of course God knew—did Abraham?
Abraham’s actions showed the substance of his claim of trusting God. I suspect he learned some things in the process; how much he valued obedience to God, his willingness to experience loss rather than disobedience and the reality of God’s provision. No doubt his faith and trust in Lord grew. Abraham’s faith at the base of the mountain may not have appeared to make intellectual sense. But upon return, his intellectual comprehension had expanded, and one of the names for God, “the Lord will provide”, made more sense than ever. His experience and concept of God expanded, thus expanding his faith and trust in God.
Rahab’s actions also display more than lip-service to what she claims: “…the Lord your God, He is God…”[2] She and her family are physically spared because of her response to the truth. What does James mean with “… a man is justified by his works…”? Here the word for justified is dikaioo, meaning to show or be regarded as just or innocent. So a man is shown to be just, in right standing with God, by the things he does. Abraham’s specific response to God’s specific instructions were key to his justification, while Rahab’s general response to her general knowledge demonstrated her faith. It is a passive indicative verb in both instances: they do not make themselves “righteous” but they are made and shown to be “righteous” in an ongoing sense, as a result of their actions.
In what ways do you sense you need to step out in faith or act on something because of your faith? Do you think your understanding of God might grow as a result? Are you willing to try going beyond your comfort zone, your “normal”, in order to experience radical obedience? You may as well….faith without works is dead.
Read and Pray: Psalm 1, Prov. 13:7-9, Gal. 5:16-26
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