October 17, 2012 – Day 10

²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ 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. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. ^[1]

“’Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.’” Israel Houghton and New Breed has made popular a contemporary praise melody called, ‘I Am A Friend of God.’ The tune is intoxicating and the lyrics powerfully affirming, but I wonder how many have ever considered the context out of which it was written and what it really means to be called a friend of God. Abraham was called a friend of God because of the obedience of his faith. He had right standing with God because he combined what he believed about what God had spoken for his life as well as that of his family and acted upon it.

James emphasizes that believers are justified by their faith but not without deeds. Even Rahab, known as a prostitute (presumably without a moral compass), had right standing with God because she protected the spies Joshua sent into Jericho and then sent them off in a different direction than she told the authorities. In each of these examples James gives us a glimpse of persons who believed God more than personal reputation or security. Perhaps we betray our standing with God when we fail to act on what we believe. Perhaps our failure to act is actually indicative of the doubt we harbor in our hearts toward the things of God.

If, as the songwriter has written, we want to be known as friends of God then it will require more than verbal affirmations alone: we will have to put our faith into action. James’ final word on the subject firmly ensconces his attitude on the subject: deeds to our faith are as critical as spirit is to our bodies. We really cannot advance in the Kingdom and certainly cannot be known as friends of God without faith accompanied by deeds.

Heavenly Father, we want desperately to be known as Your friends, but we are hesitant to trust you. We want to believe that every Word You have spoken is intended for us but we confess our fear and doubt. The faith of Abraham and Rahab seem so out of reach for us and so unrealistic for our time that we cannot see how we can ever measure up to the standard they have set for us. Since we are not content to be known as anything less than Your friends, help us to walk in and act on our faith. Like Abraham, allow our faith to be made complete by what we do so that You are glorified. So, today show us how to be Abrahams and Rahabs as we move among an unbelieving generation, and through us draw many unto Your Kingdom. We confidently ask this of You in Jesus’ name. Amen.