Faith and Works: The Path to Justification
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter the concept of justification, which can be understood in two distinct ways. The first is justification by faith, which pertains to our eternal destiny and our relationship with God. This is the foundation of our salvation, where we are declared righteous through our belief in Christ. However, James introduces a second type of justification—justification by works. This is not about earning our way to heaven but about experiencing God's intervention in our lives here and now. It is through our actions, our obedience to God's word, that our faith is matured and perfected. Just as Abraham's faith was matured through his works, our faith grows when we apply biblical truths in our daily decisions.
Faith without works is like a high jumper who can only reach a certain height. But when we add works to our faith, it's like a pole vaulter who uses a pole to reach heights unattainable by jumping alone. Our works propel our faith to new levels, especially during trials. Abraham was called a friend of God because of the intimacy developed through his faith and works. This intimacy is not just about knowing God but experiencing His presence and intervention in our lives. When others see God's work in us, they recognize us as friends of God.
Rahab's story further illustrates this principle. Despite her past, she was justified by her actions when she protected the spies. Her faith was not just a belief system but was demonstrated through her courageous actions. This shows that our past does not define us; our faith and actions do. When we act on our faith, we invite God's presence and power into our lives, transforming us and those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Justification by faith secures our eternal destiny, but justification by works invites God's intervention in our present circumstances. Our actions demonstrate our faith and invite God's power into our lives. [00:57]
2. Faith matures through action. Like Abraham, our faith grows when we apply biblical truths in our decisions, leading to a deeper understanding of God's power and purpose. [01:27]
3. Works are the pole that propels our faith to new heights, especially during trials. By combining faith with action, we experience God's presence and intervention in profound ways. [02:50]
4. Intimacy with God is developed through faith and works, leading to a visible relationship that others recognize. Being a friend of God means experiencing His presence and intervention in our lives. [03:40]
5. Rahab's story shows that our past does not define us; our faith and actions do. By acting on our faith, we invite God's transformation in our lives and the lives of others. [05:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Justification by Faith and Works
[01:12] - Faith Perfected Through Works
[02:02] - The Role of Obedience
[02:35] - High Jumpers vs. Pole Vaulters
[03:07] - Trials and Faith
[03:22] - Friendship with God
[03:58] - Intimacy with God
[04:13] - Visible Relationship with God
[05:00] - Abraham's Test
[05:20] - Rahab's Justification
[05:51] - Rahab's Story
[06:31] - Rahab's Faith and Actions
[07:07] - Rahab's Courageous Lie
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 2:21-25
2. Genesis 22:1-19 (The story of Abraham's test)
3. Joshua 2:1-21 (The story of Rahab)
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Observation Questions:
1. How does James describe the relationship between faith and works in the life of Abraham? ([00:57])
2. What analogy does the pastor use to explain the difference between faith alone and faith combined with works? ([02:35])
3. How is Rahab's story used to illustrate the concept of justification by works? ([05:20])
4. What does it mean to be called a "friend of God" according to the sermon? ([03:22])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith matures through action? How does this relate to the story of Abraham? ([01:27])
2. How does the analogy of the high jumper and pole vaulter help us understand the role of works in our faith journey? ([02:35])
3. What does Rahab's story teach us about the impact of our past on our faith and actions? ([05:20])
4. How does the sermon define intimacy with God, and what role do faith and works play in developing this intimacy? ([03:40])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision where you applied biblical truths. How did this experience affect your faith? ([01:27])
2. Consider a trial you are currently facing. How can you combine faith with action to invite God's intervention in this situation? ([02:50])
3. Think about your relationship with God. What steps can you take to deepen your intimacy with Him through both faith and works? ([03:40])
4. Rahab's actions demonstrated her faith despite her past. Is there an area in your life where you need to act on your faith, regardless of past mistakes? ([05:20])
5. How can you be a visible friend of God in your community, allowing others to see His work in your life? ([04:13])
6. Identify a specific biblical truth you can apply in your daily decisions this week. How will you ensure you follow through with this application? ([02:02])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence and intervention in your life. How did your actions contribute to this experience? ([03:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Justification by Works Invites God's Presence
In our spiritual journey, we often focus on justification by faith, which secures our eternal destiny. However, there is another dimension to justification—justification by works. This is not about earning salvation but about inviting God's intervention in our present circumstances. Our actions, when aligned with God's word, demonstrate our faith and open the door for His power to work in our lives. Just as Abraham's faith was matured through his works, our faith grows and is perfected when we apply biblical truths in our daily decisions. This active faith allows us to experience God's presence in profound ways, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us. [00:57]
James 2:24-26 (ESV): "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate your faith and invite God's presence into your current situation?
Day 2: Faith Matures Through Action
Faith is not static; it grows and matures through action. Like Abraham, whose faith was perfected through his obedience, our faith deepens when we apply biblical truths in our decisions. This process leads to a deeper understanding of God's power and purpose in our lives. When we act on our faith, we move beyond mere belief to a living, active relationship with God. This active faith is especially crucial during trials, as it propels us to new spiritual heights, much like a pole vaulter reaching heights unattainable by jumping alone. [01:27]
Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV): "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How can you apply a biblical truth to a similar decision today to deepen your faith?
Day 3: Works Propel Faith to New Heights
Faith without works is like a high jumper who can only reach a certain height. However, when we add works to our faith, it's like a pole vaulter using a pole to reach new heights. Our works propel our faith to new levels, especially during trials. By combining faith with action, we experience God's presence and intervention in profound ways. This dynamic relationship with God allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is actively working in and through us. [02:50]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing, and how can you combine faith with action to invite God's intervention?
Day 4: Intimacy with God Through Faith and Works
Intimacy with God is developed through a combination of faith and works. This relationship is not just about knowing God but experiencing His presence and intervention in our lives. Abraham was called a friend of God because of the intimacy developed through his faith and works. When others see God's work in us, they recognize us as friends of God. This visible relationship is a testament to the transformative power of an active faith, inviting others to experience the same intimacy with God. [03:40]
John 15:14-15 (ESV): "You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with God today through a specific act of obedience?
Day 5: Rahab's Story: Faith and Actions Redefine Us
Rahab's story illustrates that our past does not define us; our faith and actions do. Despite her past, Rahab was justified by her actions when she protected the spies. Her faith was not just a belief system but was demonstrated through her courageous actions. This shows that when we act on our faith, we invite God's transformation in our lives and the lives of others. Our faith and actions have the power to redefine us, allowing us to step into the identity God has for us. [05:20]
Joshua 2:8-11 (ESV): "Before the men 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, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.'"
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel defined by your past. How can you act on your faith today to invite God's transformation in that area?
Quotes
he says by works Abraham was watch this justified by Faith by works wait a minute that's an odd term the Bible talks about justification by faith Paul talks about that all the time you're justified by faith just by by faith alone you justify by faith apart from works because he's talking about going to heaven now we have a whole different use of the word justification in James 2. he says as a second justification by works the justification by faith has to do with eternal destiny the justification by works has to do with God's intervention in history in your life in our lives in our circumstances in our prayers answered in the power given in the victory over in the deliverances in the in the circumstances of life that has to come because you declared righteous by your work not by your belief system [00:29:24]
he says that his faith was perfected the word perfected means matured it developed his faith grew you don't grow Faith by looking for faith you grow Faith by doing the work because by his work his faith was perfected it matured he had a bigger view of God he had a bigger view of of of of of God's power purpose intervention it all grew if you want more faith do more work that is not just busy work but the application of biblical truth in life's decisions that is called obedience in scripture when the work is tied to the faith then the faith grows [00:87:18]
in the Olympics you have high jumpers they can jump about eight feet springing off the ground but you also have Pole vaulters pole vaulters can go 18 feet High jumpers about eight feet pole vaulters 18 feet that's because a pole vaulter has a pole and when they run and they put the pole in the Box the pole bends and the pole Springs them higher than they could ever jump on their own work is your Pole says you can only go so far with faith alone but when you grab the work and attach it to the faith the work propels your faith to a higher level than it existed previously [00:140:76]
so he says and Abraham was called a friend of God now I know we like to sing the song I Am A Friend Of God that's a lioness song a lot of God's children are not friends of God to be a friend of God speaks of an intimacy that has been developed because of the growth of faith and your experience of God intervening in your circumstances if God is Not intervening his presence is not being manifested it's because the intimacy is not there but when the intimacy is there two things happen God in the Old Testament called Abraham his friend but then people saw all that God was doing in Abraham and they said he must be a friend of God [00:197:45]
has anybody ever called you a friend to God because they saw what God was doing in you and through you that benefited you and from you benefited others too because the hookup is so tight and so close that it becomes visible in history not just academic in the head it is a relationship that is obvious so a lot of Christians aren't God's friends some of you some some of you and some of us have kids and they're not our friends their child but we're not close to them we don't we don't have that kind of connection to them [00:256:74]
so he says no Abraham passed the test and he got a deeper experience in history of God's reality in his life because his faith produced work he then goes to a female illustration in the same way was not Rahab the Harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way he says was not Rahab the Harlot justified by works when she received the spies and turned him out another way okay so you all remember the biblical story Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho okay [00:300:54]
so in the Book of Joshua God tells Joshua go to this Pagan City and he's going to judge it so they sent in a couple of spies to spy out the land Rahab lived in the red light district wherever you see rahab's not name in the New Testament her occupation is always attached to it when the spies came they thought the red light district would be a good place not to be detected Christians would have had a hard problem with them spies but they go to the red light district figuring this remember Rahab The Madam of the house decides she tells them I have heard about your God and I heard what he's been doing and I believe in your God she had a belief system so she took them in by faith [00:347:10]
the authorities discovered that the spies were at rahab's crib they discovered that the spies were at her house or at least the thought was that they are there and came knocking on rahab's door Rahab we heard that the spies are here from Israel is that true she said absolutely not she lied now parenthesis because I know what you're saying does that mean it's okay to lie sometimes [00:415:74]
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