But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 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.
(James 2:18-23, NASB)
Countless people say they believe in God, and because of that belief, they feel they’re headed to heaven. But James makes a chilling assertion here: “… the demons also believe, and shudder.” Satan and his minions certainly believe that God exists, but if you’ve read Revelations, you know their fate (Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 15).
Again, as we saw yesterday, faith—true faith—demonstrates itself in more than just lip-service. True faith shows itself through works of service, works of obedience.
Then James gives us a marvelous illustration of amazing obedience. Every time I read about Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, I’m humbled. He was so willing to do anything God asked him to do, trusting that his Jehovah would work everything out for good.
And because of his obedience, Abraham was called a “friend of God.”
Isn’t that what your heart desires? To be a friend of God?
Believe in Him, certainly. But don’t stop there. Commit your life to Him. Submit everything to Him. Obey His every command. Seek His will. And serve Him by doing what He asks.
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