Email from Abiding Place Daily Bread – March 15, 2024 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) James 2:24 – You see then that a man is shown to be righteous by works, and not by faith only. Righteousness Demonstrated By Works Paul describes righteousness that comes by faith on the basis of Abraham’s faith in the coming Seed, which was Christ (Genesis 15:6). James is not denying faith in Jesus alone for righteousness. Instead, he is highlighting the obedience of the life of Christ in those who are born of the Spirit and have been made righteous. He proves this by showing how Abraham’s righteousness was demonstrated by his obedience. Abraham’s obedience to God was the most radical of all in the Old Testament. In obedience to God, he offered Isaac as a human sacrifice (Genesis 22:12). James revealed that when Abraham was obedient, God showed him to be righteous (James 2:21; Genesis 15:6, 22:12). If Abraham’s righteousness can result in such a radical display of obedience, then the argument would hold that we can certainly show acts of love to one another. James further applies Abraham’s obedience to the reason he was called the friend of God (James 2:23; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8). James said in no uncertain terms that without works, faith is dead, being alone (James 2:17). James is underscoring the transformative work of faith because faith is accompanied by works. The faith that makes a person righteous brings about a change of life and conduct. Faith that makes righteous also results in the works of righteousness. Therefore, James says it is by works that a man is revealed to be righteous (James 2:24). James makes faith dead without works in the same way a body is dead without the spirit (James 2:26). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 3/15/2025
