21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
- When you are shopping for something and believe that what you have just found is the best combination of quality and price, what do you do? If you decide not to buy it, why not?
- How do faith and action work together?
- Which is more important to you, faith or works? Why?
- Why do you resist doing some things that God tells you to do? Is it a faith or a works problem?
- What would a stranger think of your faith from only looking at your life?
- What can you do to increase your faith?
- What can you do to increase your works?
The works vs faith struggle continues, and yet it seems to be a fake battle. This passage points out that true faith with always be manifested by works. Granted it is possible to do the works for the wrong reason (the Pharisees were apparent masters of this), but most of the true challenges to action in my life start with my trust in God. Do I really trust God enough to give up my favorite sin? Do I believe in my heart that God wants me to tell others about Jesus? Am I assembling with other Christians to encourage them the way God wants or just because it is my lifelong habit? Choosing between faith and works is like choosing between your lungs and your heart. You really need both to survive.
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