You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. (James 2:22)
Expanded Passage: James 2:20-24
James unpacks this teaching beautifully by demonstrating the synergy between faith and works. Which one of us, if God asked us to give up a child, would do so willingly? Just the thought of not seeing that loved one again is enough to shut down the very thought. We would even go as far as saying that this could not be God speaking to me. He would never ask me to do such a thing. Not my God of love.
As James retells the story of Abraham and Isaac, we are reminded of Abraham’s willing obedience to God. Abraham both loved his son and trusted God—a powerful combination! Wow! Genuine faith is never passive, it moves the individual into action notwithstanding the cost. Abraham’s faith was perfected through his sacrificial act of obedience, and through this he gained the title “God’s friend.” What an honor to have the creator of the universe call you his friend. Can God call us his friends? Does our professed faith align with our expressed faith? From this passage we are reminded that faith and work are cohesive. Where faith and actions come together, our faith is made complete. Like Abraham, we can put our faith into action by listening for God’s instructions.
Let your love for God supersede that of anyone or anything else.
Iona Halliday-Simmonds is a wife, mother, and member of The Wesleyan Church who finds great pleasure in serving in community outreach and youth and family ministries.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
