Lesson 40 September 22
Back to our summary
of James 2:21:
4. The example of
Abraham is very important because he is the father and pattern of all who believe. Rom 4:1;
11-12
5. In Rom 4 he is
presented as the example of saving faith - SAJG. (also in Gal 3)
6. Here James
presents Abe as the example of the believers ph-2 walk.
7. We must conclude
that there is a ph-1 and a ph-2 justification.
8. Make no mistake
Ph-1 justification positively excludes any human works in being justified.
- Rom
9. NOTE: There is no
guarantee that ph-1 justification will lead to ph-2 justification.
10. Therefore one may
in fact believe in Christ and go no where spiritually after that.
Prin: True happiness is a byproduct
of our relationship with Christ through His Word.
You see that faith was working with his works, and as a
result of the works, faith was perfected;
- what was
in Abe's soul was working together with the situation faced and produced works
- the
intended goal - completion of the faith the BD in Abe was to provide for him in
the time of testing. But even greater, it honored God and brought glory to Him!
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
"AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS
RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Summary:
1. In these two
verses James draws attention to the results of Abraham's faith and its
production (works).
2. The example from
Abe's life is so clear, the objector could not but see
the truth.
3. Abe's faith in the
BD of resurrection and the veracity of God led to works - DGP in his life.
4. Had there been no faith - no trust -
confidence there would have been no works - no DGP.
5. James says his
faith worked together with his works - indicating that his works (action of
life) supported his faith - what was in his soul.
6. James cites Gen
15:6 to show the results of his faith and its production from God's vpt.
- Gen. looks at the
foundation or origination, Abe's salvation, forensic aspect while James looks
at the production that flows from one saved and plus doctrine, the vindication
of faith in the life.
7. What God desired
for Abe was faith resting in His word and action, living out that faith in
one's life when necessary
8. Since Ph-1
justification is complete and irrevocable from the point of faith in Christ,
all subsequent acts of faith constitute Ph-2 justification - vindication, that is
believing and living out the truth God reveals.
9. In Ch- 12 God
accepted his initial faith and imputed +R to Abe's account.
10. In Gen 22 God honored his faith and works -
his response as the
example that would stand throughout history as the pattern of
ph-2 justification.
11. James adds a
result of Abe's obedience not mentioned in Gen 22.
12. That is the designation as friend of God.