2023_02_17 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- Genesis 15, Galatians 3, Genesis 17, James 2
James has some uncomfortable words for us this week as he discusses what it looks like when our faith and actions match:
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
As I read these words, it is tempting to panic about my salvation and let fear motivate my actions, but doing so would contradict God’s loving relationship with us. If love was my motivator for good works, maybe I would start to see the needs around me as opportunity to be obedient to God’s will. I could then take the focus off myself and see what God is doing, cooperating with the works He is initiating. God is always the first initiator, and I have a choice to meet him each day and to be aware of His invitations.
I was surprised to read in James 2, the story of Abraham was used as an example of good works.
“Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.” James 2:21-23
If I was James, I might choose a different illustration to explain the relationship between faith and works (the story of the Good Samaritan comes to mind!) But in this story, there is a direct correlation between faith and obedience. Abraham had been promised an heir from his own blood line to fulfill the covenant made between Abraham and God. God’s promise in Genesis 15 was to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars. This could not happen if Abraham sacrificed his son, but Abraham believed God and was obedient to Him.
The message bible explains all this as a “seamless unity of believing and doing.” I am challenged to be aware of God’s presence, so I can see the needs around me and immediately respond. Instead of looking at interruptions in our days as frustrations, they could be God’s invitations to exercise our faith. Then our faith and actions would work together, and we would be cooperating with God.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead