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James 2:20-24
James is giving us a run of examples that show how faith and works, work together. He gave us a great example of how believing in God by itself makes us no different than Satan and his demons. And now he contrasts that with Abraham and how his faith in God was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). But Abraham put his faith in God into action as he was willing to prove his faith and submission to God in that after God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son of the promise to God. God would not require Abraham to sacrifice his son, but once Abraham proved his submission to God, God spared Abraham’s son (Genesis 22). Abraham’s faith in God was proven by his actions in following/submitting to God – his heart was right with God.
This is an example of putting one’s faith in God into action which proves his submission to God.
God did not call us to salvation in Christ Jesus to simply put us on a shelf as a trophy and consider that one “done.” God called us to an active life of showing others of God’s great love for us, and them, that they too might open their hearts to God because God put us in their lives to show them and lead them to Him. We all have a purpose in our salvation that should be put into action to show God our obedience to Him, and God will work through our faith in Him to lead others into His family – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
If no Christians showed their faith in You, then no one would ever find out about your saving grace that makes it possible to be saved from the sinful nature and live a sincerely repentant life in Christ Jesus. Without putting our faith into action, no one would ever find out about Your great love for them, and we would all perish without ever living out the great plan You have for us. Please help us to open our eyes and put on our work boots that we would take action in our salvation in Christ Jesus and follow the example that He set for us in Your word. In Jesus name I pray, amen.