James chapter two opens by telling us that God is no respecter of persons. One who wears good raiment and a gold ring have no more standing in the sight of God (James 2:1-5) than one who wears cheaper clothing. God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. Even poor men may be heirs of the eternal inheritance. One who would mistreat another because he is poor is guilty of blaspheming the name of Christ (James 2:6-7). Only one thing will stand tall in the sight of God and that is a faith which works by love.
The fruit of faith is deeds. Faith is of no worth unless it demonstrates its love by works. No sinner can be saved unless he is willing to be baptized in the blood of the lamb. The lesson in this chapter is to Christians. They then refused to care for those in need. It was impossible for them to be saved even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone (James 2:17).
James uses Abraham as an illustration of one whose faith was made perfect by his works. Abraham’s life was a demonstration of faith in action. When he was told to leave his home, “he went forth not knowing whither” (Hebrews 11:18) he went. This was an act of faith. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise” (Hebrews 11:9). Each of these acts of faith secured divine approval, but the supreme trial was when he offered up Issac.
Abraham’s faith was a working faith. The faith that saves is the faith that obeys. It takes faith plus action to secure a blessing from God. No man ever secured any kind of blessing either spiritual or temporal, on account of his own faith until after that faith had expressed itself in an action. Abraham was called the friend of God because he was always ready to do what God said for him to do.