Our second week in James brings us to chapter 2, wherein James makes the statement faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The purpose of doing good works, though, is not to earn God’s favor, but to show you have received God’s unmerited favor (His grace), and in response to that your life is now lived for Him. People should be able to see your faith in Jesus. The whole chapter’s theme is about putting your faith into action and living your life for Jesus.
Using Abraham as an example, James shows us that there is a reward for putting our faith into action. Because of Abraham’s faith, shown through his willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac, he was called a friend of God, (James 2:23). In fact there are two places in the Old Testament (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8) where Abraham is also called a friend of God. For someone to be called a friend of God is a mindblowing thing. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe calling one of his creations “friend” humbles and bewilders.
However, it gets better, for Jesus also calls people his friends.
Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” (John 15:14, ESV). Wait – putting our faith in Jesus into action by doing things like loving God and loving our neighbors means friendship with the Savior of the world? Yep, it sure does. Talk about humbling. It makes me want to obey Jesus’s commands even more and even better so that I can be a better friend to Him.
James gives us a few guides in chapter two on doing what Jesus commands. First, don’t show partiality (i.e. prejudice, or unequal treatment of others, James 2:1). Second, love your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8). Third, meet people’s needs when you can (James 2:16). These are general categories that can be lived out specifically wherever you are and with whomever your neighbor is. So, I encourage you to put your faith into action and be a friend of Jesus.