Abraham's faith and works.

Mo. 4/1/13: Gen. 15:1, 5-6       What did Abram, now old, believe?
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
What did Abram, now old, believe? Abram believed God that he would have a son.

Tu. 4/2/13: Rom. 4:2-3              Did God account Abraham as just by his works?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Did God account Abraham as just by his works? Abram believed God: his faith was counted as righteousness.

We. 4/3/13: Gal. 3:7-8                 Where was the Gospel preached beforehand to Abraham?

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Where was the Gospel preached beforehand to Abraham? Gen. 15:1, the first verse this week, says that the Word of the LORD (Christ) said to Abram, “I am thy shield,” or, I will take the punishment for your sins before God, and “I am thy exceeding great reward,” or, I will be your (great…) Son.

Th. 4/4/13: Gen. 22:2, 10-12         What was Abraham’s test of faith?

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
What was Abraham’s test of faith? Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son: he believed that God would raise him from the dead!

Fr. 4/5/13: Jas. 2:21-23                      How, then, does James say Abraham was justified by works?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

How, then, does James say Abraham was justified by works? Abraham acted on his belief and even went for the knife to sacrifice his son! Abraham’s faith was tested and proved by his works.