This post is Day 11 in a series of studies about “James”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

James – Day 11

Doing good often requires taking risks. The risk of failing, the risk of looking foolish. The risk of it costing more than we can afford or feel inclined to give. The risk of others taking advantage of us. But we have a God who will protect us from those things.

James 2:21-22

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

The Thought

These two verses are out of a whole discourse on faith and deeds which covers verses 14 to the end of the chapter. Real faith leads to real deeds, and real blessings.

We receive long term blessings and health through our obedience, and we receive curses because of disobedience or that of our ancestors (Deuteronomy 28).

Doing good deeds often requires taking risks. The risk of failing, the risk of looking foolish. The risk of it costing more than we can afford or feel inclined to give. The risk of others taking advantage of us.

But we have a big God who will protect us from all those things that we cannot handle or that are too much for us. If our faith is big enough, we can be like Abraham who went all the way and was even ready to sacrifice his son because that’s what God asked him to do (Genesis 22). He saw God’s amazing provision at the very last moment.

Jesus went all the way, and gave Himself up to the cross so that we can experience God’s amazing provision. Let’s step out in faith today, and be bold for Him.

Action

Take time today to read Genesis 22 and meditate on the feelings of Abraham as he walked with his son.

Praise God that He will not let us get into any situation we can’t handle with Him at our side.

Read the “blessings for obedience” in Deuteronomy 28. Praise Him for the multitude of blessings available to us if we obey His word.

Pray for your faith to be put into action and shown in your deeds.