But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? [James 2:20].
Faith without the fruit of faith is empty and futile as far as the world is concerned.
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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only [James 2:21–24].
Paul said that Abraham was justified by faith (see Rom. 4:3), and Genesis tells us that he was justified by faith (see Gen. 15:6; 22:1–14).
Was Abraham justified when he offered his son Isaac? The question is: Did he offer his son Isaac? And the answer is: No, he didn’t.
Then what was Abraham’s work of faith? How did works save him? His faith caused him to lift that knife to do a thing which he did not believe God would ever ask him to do. But since God had asked him, he was willing to do it. He believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead. Abraham never actually offered Isaac, because God provided a substitute, but he would have done it if God had not stopped him.
This is a illustration of the fact that you demonstrate your faith by your actions. The action of this man was that he believed God.
BigMack
The action of the man was in doing what God told him to do. The faith was what led him to do so.
He believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead.
Where do you get this from?
SD
Paul said that Abraham was justified by faith (see Rom. 4:3), and Genesis tells us that he was justified by faith (see Gen. 15:6; 22:1–14).
Yes ... and not only this, but both Paul and James quote the Genesis 15:6 passage, ... which occurs before the passage describing the near sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. 22).
The Genesis 15:6 passage follows ...Genesis 15:1 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.So, Abraham's faith is credited as he believes God's promise to provide him with a natural-born heir, ... before Isaac is even born.
2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 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.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
James quotes Genesis 15:6, ... but uses the citation alongside the story of Isaac's near sacrifice.
Whatever the resolution of this ... it is clear that Abraham is commended for his justifying faith as he believes God's promise to provide him a natural-born heir, ... rather than for his willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
Abraham was commended and rewarded for his obedience to God in Gen. 22 as well (in the multiplying of his seed, etc.), ... but not in regard to his justification.
Abraham's justification was based on him believing God, apart from any works which he performed.
Yes!