James Expounds on Faith Volume 30

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 1

James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now leaves his discourse on faith and works and dives right into the area of our relationship with God that will most affect our doings outwardly in our 🎪 tents, house 🏡, our bodies which is what we allow to proceed forth from our tongue 😝 which is simply a reflection of what's going on in our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩, for as it is written for us and to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He said this, "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:43-45) (NKJV). With this as our backdrop, we now here these words spoken to us and for us by the Apostle James as he warnes many of we brethren of the huge responsibility that any of us has when we 🚶 walk into the duty of teaching the Word of God to others, for we must humble ourselves to receive and learn from God the Holy Spirit and submit ourselves to Him allowing Him to restrain our tongue 😝 which is perhaps the most unruly member of our body, that is, lacking in restraint or discipline and unwilling to submit to authority, so we hear these words from the Apostle James right up front, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1) (KJV). The English word 'masters' is translated by the Greek word didaskalos which means simply an instructor or teacher; in this case an instructor or teacher of the Word of God. It is God's Word which is sacred and due all respect and reverence, therefore, it is a very serious thing to our Lord Jesus Christ that those of us who are teaching His Word do not water it down or try to make it more pleasing to our sinful hearts and the sinful hearts of others, for those of us who step forth to teach the Word of God will be judged by our Lord Jesus Christ much more stricter than other brethren. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:1, "These words do not forbid doing what we can to direct and instruct others in the way of their duty or to reprove them in a Christian way for what is amiss; but we must not affect to speak and act as those who are continually assuming the chair, we must not prescribe to one another, so as to make our own sentiments a standard by which to try all others, because God gives various gifts to men, and expects from each according to that measure of light which He gives. 'Therefore be not many masters' (or teachers, as some read it); 'do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners; do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.' This is enforced by two reasons. 1. Those who thus set up for judges and censurers shall receive the greater condemnation. Our judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and severe, Matthew 7:1-2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of others, and arrogant in passing censures upon them, may expect that God will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss."

The Apostle James now goes on to declare the seriousness in which we must be on guard of the words we allow to come forth from our tongue 😝, even when we are angry 😡 and probably more so then because the words that come forth during those times are always meant to hurt the person or people on the other end of receiving them (even if it is someone you love 😍), so we read these words from James now, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2) (KJV). The English word 'offend' is translated by the Greek word ptaiō meaning to trip, that is, (figuratively) to err, sin, fail - fall, stumble. The little English phrase 'is a perfect' is translated by the Greek word teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, mature. The little English phrase 'to bridle' is translated by the Greek word chalinagōgeō meaning figuratively to curb, that is, the act of restraining power, action or limiting excess, to lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits. The Apostle here declares the reality that we all fail, err, stumble and sin in many things (Ecclesiastes 7:20 & Proverbs 20:9), but the tongue 😝 is perhaps the biggest culprit of all and the Christian brother or sister who is able to curb the tongue 😝 in its sinful rampages is able also to bring the whole body into submission to the will of God. Note: "No brother or sister 'in Christ' can do this in their own strength 💪, but by only yielding ourselves fully to the control of God the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle Paul wrote with these words to the Church @ Ephesus, 'And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,' (Ephesians 5:18) (NKJV), for when someone is drunk the alcohol takes over them and controls them, likewise when we brothers and sisters 'in Christ' are filled with the Holy Spirit, then He is in control and our words and actions will be according to His will which will be pleasing to God the Father and to all of humanity as well." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:2, "Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. Let us learn to be severe in judging ourselves, but charitable in our judgments of other people. We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect and upright men, and such as have an entire government over ourselves: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. It is here implied that he whose conscience is affected by tongue-sins, and who takes care to avoid them, is an upright man, and has an undoubted sign of true grace. But, on the other hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes, that man's religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced and improved Christian. For the wisdom and grace which enable him to rule his tongue will enable him also to rule all his actions."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 29

 
Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 5

James 2:25-26 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. KJV Note: NKJV= New King James Version

Just as the Patriarch or the founder of the Jewish Nation Abraham manifested his belief or faith in God by his work of faith in trusting the Lord so much that he was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice, so now does the Apostle James now place a woman 👩, even a Gentile woman who was a prostitute on the same level of faith and trust in the Lord. This woman 👩 Rahab heard about the God of the Hebrew people and she wanted to know Him and when she was in the presence of men who came to her country from the Hebrew Nation she acted on her desire to know and trust God receiving these men who came from the Hebrew Nation into her home and hid them there as they spied out her country in preparation for war against her Nation Jericho, as it is written for us here with these words by the Apostle James, "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (James 2:25) (KJV). The men of Jericho found out that these men were in their city and that they had gone into Rahab's house to lodge (perhaps Rahab was known in that city as not only a prostitute, but was one who would offer room and board to stranger's from other places for a fee and this is why they perceived that the Israelites were at her home), however, Rahab along with the entire city had heard of the God of Israel and of the mighty works which He had done on behalf of His people Israel, as it is written here, "So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, 'Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.' Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, 'Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.' (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: 'I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.'" (Joshua 2:3-10) (NKJV).

Why did she hide the men and defy the King of her Nation? Verse's 8-10 declares why she did so, because she knew/believed that her Nation Jericho was doomed for destruction at and by the Hand of God whether these men were captured and killed or not and that by giving these men from Israel protection, she was showing her faith in the God of Israel. Rahab next testifies to these men of who she believes the God of Israel is and that she wants to be saved by Him from destruction and her whole household, as it is written here, "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 'Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.' So the men answered her, 'Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.' Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, 'Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.' So the men said to her: 'We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.' Then she said, 'According to your words, so be it.' And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. And they said to Joshua, 'Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.'" (Joshua 2:11-24) (NKJV). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of James 2:25, "It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence Hebrews 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. 'By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not.' If an instance of obedience were wanting. Paul and James would hardly have quoted a woman of previously bad character, rather than the many moral and pious patriarchs. But as an example of free grace justifying men through an operative, as opposed to a mere verbal faith, none could be more suitable than a saved 'harlot.' As Abraham was an instance of an illustrious man and the father of the Jews, so Rahab is quoted as a woman, and one of abandoned character, and a Gentile, showing that justifying faith has been manifested in those of every class. The nature of the works alleged is such as to prove that James uses them only as evidences of faith, as contrasted with a mere verbal profession: not works of charity and piety, but works the value of which consisted solely in their being proofs of faith: they were faith expressed in act, synonymous with faith itself."

To conclude the whole matter of someone saying they have faith in God without subsequent works or actions that show that they believe God and His Word is just like a dead body being alive walking around and talking to other people (this is impossible no matter how many zombie 🧟‍♂️ movies are made), as it is written for us with these words by the Apostle James, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26) (KJV). In other words, James is saying do not go about saying you believe in God and you trust God, yet you have no desire to believe and obey what His Word declares on every subject matter, instead you doubt that it is His Words and on some matters you want His Words to be changed or to be cut out of the Bible or simply ignored, for the demons believe this way and even have tremendous fear of God because they know what He is going to do to them for all eternity in the Lake of Fire 🔥 (Revelation 20:10). So, if your so-called faith has not changed your mind (repentance) and changed your way of seeing your own sin as evil and wicked, that is, what God declares to be sin against Him alone, then your faith is equal to that of demons which is a dead faith that cannot save any soul, just like a body without the spirit/soul in it is dead and only a shell good for nothing. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 2:26, "There can be no more a genuine faith without good works, than there can be a living human body without a soul. We shall never find a series of disinterested godly living without true faith. And we shall never find true faith without such a life. We may see works of apparent benevolence without faith; their principle is ostentation; and, as long as they can have the reward (human applause) which they seek, they may be continued. And yet the experience of all mankind shows how short-lived such works are; they want both principle and spring; they endure for a time, but soon wither away. Where true faith is, there is God; His Spirit gives life, and His love affords motives to righteous actions. The use of any Divine principle leads to its increase. The more a man exercises faith in Christ, the more he is enabled to believe; the more he believes, the more he receives; and the more he receives, the more able he is to work for God. Obedience is his delight, because love to God and man is the element in which his soul lives. Reader, thou professest to believe; show thy faith, both to God and man, by a life conformed to the royal law, which ever gives liberty and confers dignity. 'Some persons, known to St. James, must have taught that men are justified by merely believing in the One True God; or he would not have taken such pains to confute it. Crediting the unity of the Godhead, and the doctrine of a future state, was that faith through which both the Jews in St. James’ time and the Mohammedans of the present day expect justification. St. James, in denying this faith to be of avail, if unaccompanied with good works, has said nothing more than what St. Paul has said, in other words, Romans 2, where he combats the same Jewish error, and asserts that not the hearers but the doers of the law will be justified, and that a knowledge of God’s will, without the performance of it, serves only to increase our condemnation.' - Michaelis." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:26, "These words are read differently; some reading them, As the body without the breath is dead, so is faith without works: and then they show that works are the companions of faith, as breathing is of life. Others read them, As the body without the soul is dead, so faith without works is dead also: and then they show that as the body has no action, nor beauty, but becomes a loathsome carcass, when the soul is gone, so a bare profession without works is useless, yea, loathsome and offensive. Let us then take head of running into extremes in this case. For, (1.) The best works, without faith, are dead; they want their root and principle. It is by faith that any thing we do is really good, as done with an eye to God, in obedience to Him, and so as to aim principally at His acceptance. (2.) The most plausible profession of faith, without works, is dead: as the root is dead when it produces nothing green, nothing of fruit. Faith is the root, good works are the fruits, and we must see to it that we have both. We must not think that either, without the other, will justify and save us. This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 28

 Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 4

James 2:23-24 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. KJV

What was documented of Abraham in the Holy Scriptures (first by Moses in the book of Genesis) was the satisfying and complete faith of this man in God/The Lord and how his faith was proven over time by his obedience to the Word of the Lord which came to him, as it is written and documented for us here with these words from the Apostle James, "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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:23-24) (KJV). The English word 'Scripture' is translated by the Greek word graphē which means a document, that is, Holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it): - Scripture. The little English phrase 'was fulfilled' is translated by the Greek word plēroō meaning to make complete, accomplish, satisfy, or finish. The little English phrase 'it was imputed' is translated by the Greek word logizomai which means to take an inventory, that is, estimate (literally or figuratively): - conclude, account or reckon. The English word 'righteousness' is translated by the Greek word dikaiosunē meaning equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness. We see in the breaking down of all these words and phrases that Abraham's faith was so documented by God the Father in the very beginning of His Holy Writ (the Bible) in order to show the faith of this man to all of the unbelieving world of what faith in Him looks like at the human level, for Abraham simply believed God, therefore, he was accounted or concluded or reckoned by God to be righteous or justified before Him and called God's Friend. When the Word of the Lord came to Abraham concerning how numerous his descendants would be on the earth 🌎 he believed God, as it is written and documented for us by Moses with these words, "After these things the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the Word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:1-6) (KJV). We see then that Abraham did not hesitate to continue to believe God/The Lord when his faith was tested by the command to sacrifice his son Isaac, because Abraham trusted that the Word of the Lord that came to him earlier was true and that he simply had to believe God to either keep the knife from killing Isaac or to resurrect Isaac from the dead, for this is how much Abraham trusted in the Lord's Word spoken to him above in Genesis 15:1-6. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of this, "Abraham's offering of Isaac was not a mere act of obedience, but an act of faith. Isaac was the subject of the promises of God, that in him Abraham's seed should be called. The same God calls on Abraham to slay the subject of His own promise, when as yet there was no seed in whom those predictions could be realized. Hence James' saying that Abraham was justified by such a work, is equivalent to saying, as Paul does, that he was justified by faith itself; for it was in fact faith expressed in action, as in other cases saving faith is expressed in words. So Paul states as the mean of salvation faith expressed. The 'Scripture' would not be 'fulfilled,' as James says it was, but contradicted by any interpretation which makes man's works justify him before God: for that Scripture makes no mention of works at all, but says that Abraham's belief was counted to him for righteousness. God, in the first instance, 'justifies the ungodly' through faith; subsequently the believer is justified before the world as righteous through faith manifested in words and works."

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:23-24, "And by this means you come to the true sense of that scripture which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, James 2:23. And thus he became the friend of God. Faith, producing such works, endeared him to the divine Being, and advanced him to very peculiar favours and intimacies with God. It is a great honour done to Abraham that he is called and counted the friend of God. You see then (James 2:24) how that by works a man is justified (comes into such a state of favour and friendship with God), and not by faith only; not by a bare opinion, or profession, or believing without obeying, but by having such a faith as is productive of good works. Now besides the explication of this passage and example, as thus illustrating and supporting the argument James is upon, many other useful lessons may be learned by us from what is here said concerning Abraham. [1.] Those who would have Abraham's blessings must be careful to copy after his faith: to boast of being Abraham's seed will not avail any, if they do not believe as he did. [2.] Those works which evidence true faith must to works of self-denial, and such as God himself commands (as Abraham's offering up his son, his only son, was), and not such works as are pleasing to flesh and blood and may serve our interest, or are the mere fruits of our own imagination and devising. [3.] What we piously purpose and sincerely resolve to do for God is accepted as if actually performed. Thus Abraham is regarded as offering up his son, though he did not actually proceed to make a sacrifice of him. It was a done thing in the mind, and spirit, and resolution of Abraham, and God accepts it as if fully performed and accomplished. [4.] The actings of faith make it grow perfect, as the truth of faith makes it act. [5.] Such an acting faith will make others, as well as Abraham, friends of God. Thus Christ says to his disciples, I have called you friends, John 15:15. All transactions between God and the truly believing soul are easy, pleasant, and delightful. There is one will and one heart, and there is a mutual complacency. God rejoiceth over those who truly believe, to do them good; and they delight themselves in Him." Here also is what F.B. Meyer had to say of Abraham's faith, "The Apostle is speaking here of a faith that does not result in a changed life. It is the faith which believes about Jesus Christ, as distinguished from that which believes in Him. We may believe about Him as we do about Luther or Washington, but such faith will not avail, either here or hereafter. It can no more affect our condition than the pious wish that a shivering beggar may be warmed, and fed will make him either one or the other. The presence or absence of results in life and conduct is the real test of faith, as the green shoot of a living seed. James calls these results works. We are justified by works, because they prove our faith to be the real faith. Real faith binds the soul to the living Christ, produces deep penitence and humility, and brings about an absolutely new sort of behavior-as when Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, and Rahab received and assisted the spies. To reckon on God is to be a friend of God."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 27

 Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 3

James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

As we learned in the last study/commentary, the Apostle James showed us how superficial faith really exist because even the demons/fallen angels believe in God, yet their belief now in God is merely an acknowledgment of His existence coupled with a 😱 fear of their pending, that is, the awaiting conclusion or confirmation of their eternal judgement and damnation in hell and the lake of fire 🔥. Those demons or fallen angels have no desire within them now to trust and obey God, yet still they believe in Him. The Apostle James will now use the Old Testament Saint Abraham (the Father of the Nation of Israel by virtue of the will of God) and  his subsequent actions upon hearing the Word of God come to him and believing said word and his actions/obedience to the Word of God testified or proved his faith/belief/trust in God was real and true, as it is written, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?." (James 2:21-22) (KJV). First, we remember that Abraham was called by God and he listened to 👂 the Word of God spoken unto him and obeyed, as it is ✍ written, "Now the LORD had said to Abram: 'Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran." (Genesis 12:1-4) (NKJV). This was the beginning of Abraham's journey of faith and even though he had many ups and downs, as well as trying to accomplish God's will by his own human efforts, yet from the very beginning he had a deep trust in God and the Word of God. Note: "Let us remember that during the entire life of this man Abraham there was no written Word of God, but only the Word of God sopken to his inner man 👨." Now we fast forward to Genesis 22 which is where the faith and trust of Abraham in YAHWEH was tested, as it is written, "Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then He said, 'Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.'" (Genesis 22:1-2) (NKJV). Was Abraham going to believe the Word of God? Abraham could have said within himself that this cannot be true, so I will not obey it (which is exactly what many people over the centuries have done with the Bible).  When Abraham was awakened by God the next morning, he prepared all that he needed for his journey and he took his son Isaac plus two (2) of his servants with him on the journey to Mount Moriah. When Abraham arrived and began to go up to the place where the Lord God told him to go, listen 👂 to the words which he spoke to the two (2) servants that had journeyed with them, "Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.'" (Genesis 22:4-5) (NKJV).

Abraham did not know what would happen when he and Isaac got to the top of the mountain ⛰, but what He did know and trust is that God had already promised him that his descendants would number as many as the stars ✨ in the heavens and the grains of sand along the seashore (Genesis 15:5), therefore, he was obedient all the way to the point of raising the knife to slay his son as God had sopken unto him, but here was the result of Abraham's obedience to God's Word that came to him, as it is ✍ written, "Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' So he said, 'Here I am.' And He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.' Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, 'In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.' Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: 'By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.' So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba." (Genesis 22:9-19) (NKJV). In the above verse of Scripture James 2:21, the Apostle James uses the English word 'justified' in referring to Abraham which is translated by the Greek word dikaioō which means to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous. Abraham was declared righteous and just by God because his faith was true saving faith in God. In the above verse of Scripture James 2:22, the Apostle James uses the little English phrase 'wrought with' which is translated by the Greek word sunergeō which means to be a fellow worker, that is, co-operate: - help (work) with, work together. Also in James 2:22, the Apostle James uses the little English phrase 'made perfect' which is translated by the Greek word teleioō which means to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character): - consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make) perfect. Abraham's works or actions of obedience to the Word of the Lord that came to him completed, consecrated, and consummated his faith as real and true faith. Faith that is minus obedience to what the Word of God declares is no faith at all and so is any faith that would seek to change what the Word of God declares, as it is written here by the Apostle Paul to the Church ⛪ @ Rome, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of Peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (Romans 16:17-20) (NKJV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…