@God's Truth
Believe it or not, there are 2 kinds of faith of Abraham towards God that has been addressed in scripture.
The faith without works is where Abraham believed God for why Paul referred to that faith as the same as faith in Jesus Christ for salvation without works..
Romans 4:1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Then there is that faith of Abraham towards God about Him providing for His saints which requires works. Abaraham's faith that God will provide was demonstrated by his offering Isaac even at the altar.
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Stepping out on faith that God will provide is what James was referring to here in regards to Abraham and Isaac. This is so because the name of the place is the exact faith of this historical moment of Abraham's faith in God to provide.
Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
So why was James referring to Abraham's faith in God to provide? The abuse & the neglect of the poor by the church.
James 2:1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
That was one of the abuse that the church was doing to the poor. Here is another abuse.
After church service, the church wanted to get out of helping the poor from the bounty collected at church service by issuing the church's faith in God to provide for the poor TO the poor so the poor will go away with nothing.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Keep all of those verses in context to this abuse the church was doing in verses 15 & 16 in getting out of helping the poor as James was rebuking the church for doing.
This is why I do not believe James was talking about the faith in Jesus Christ for salvation which is without works as Paul says in Romans 4:1-5 when Paul had referred to Abraham's righteousness gained by believing God, which was not about Abraham's faith in God to provide when offering Isaac up on that altar. James states that those who profess faith in God to provide to the poor, have best lead by example to the poor or your faith is dead in the eyes of the poor.
Believe it or not, there are 2 kinds of faith of Abraham towards God that has been addressed in scripture.
The faith without works is where Abraham believed God for why Paul referred to that faith as the same as faith in Jesus Christ for salvation without works..
Romans 4:1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Then there is that faith of Abraham towards God about Him providing for His saints which requires works. Abaraham's faith that God will provide was demonstrated by his offering Isaac even at the altar.
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Stepping out on faith that God will provide is what James was referring to here in regards to Abraham and Isaac. This is so because the name of the place is the exact faith of this historical moment of Abraham's faith in God to provide.
Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
So why was James referring to Abraham's faith in God to provide? The abuse & the neglect of the poor by the church.
James 2:1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
That was one of the abuse that the church was doing to the poor. Here is another abuse.
After church service, the church wanted to get out of helping the poor from the bounty collected at church service by issuing the church's faith in God to provide for the poor TO the poor so the poor will go away with nothing.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Keep all of those verses in context to this abuse the church was doing in verses 15 & 16 in getting out of helping the poor as James was rebuking the church for doing.
This is why I do not believe James was talking about the faith in Jesus Christ for salvation which is without works as Paul says in Romans 4:1-5 when Paul had referred to Abraham's righteousness gained by believing God, which was not about Abraham's faith in God to provide when offering Isaac up on that altar. James states that those who profess faith in God to provide to the poor, have best lead by example to the poor or your faith is dead in the eyes of the poor.