Was Abraham Saved

Was Abraham Saved?

"I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 8:11 N.V.)

Abraham was assured of a place in heaven by Jesus. Was Abraham saved? Jesus said he was. How is this possible? Readers of the Bible have offered several different answers. One explanation is that Abraham was saved because he, "walked in all the light he knew." Others tell us that Abraham was saved because of the works that he did. A third answer is the central teaching of the New Testament: Abraham believed God and God declared him righteous.

WALKING IN THE LIGHT

Certain teachers, not wanting to discount Christians who claim salvation by faith in Christ alone, have tried to give them a place in God’s kingdom by saying "they followed all the light available to them." This is done for Luther, Wesley, Edwards, Hudson Taylor, Fanny Crosby, et. al. Rather than say, those, who followed less than full salvation, were lost because they have not obeyed a certain "plan of salvation," they attempt to include them in the "saved," because they did the "best with what they had." By this, they assume that, since the Cross, God had different plans of salvation (or different levels to His Kingdom) to fit the "darkness of the times." To restore the Church to New Testament full salvation, the world had to go through several stages or eras of "revelation." In these eras or periods of revelation, God saved individuals based on how much truth that person obeyed.

The most glaring problem with this scheme is that it has absolutely no in basis Scripture basis. Actually, the idea of being saved-by-how-much-you-obey-of-what-you-know is not New Testament salvation. It is vague and unbiblical expression used as a substitute for a clear, precise biblical understanding of salvation. [The expression "walking in all the light one knows" was used by Charles Finney. He has influenced most modern Revivalists. He did not believe in justification by faith alone (nor did he believe in Pentecostalism).] Whether one gives these "sub-Christians" a place in the Kingdom by calling them "friends of the Bride" or "tribulation martyrs" or even "righteous ones who inherit the righteous earth" the problem remains. How can you have several tiers of salvation, when the Bible teaches there is one Door, one Way, one Christ, one Sacrifice, and one Gospel?

Jesus did say, "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." (John 12:35) But Jesus was not referring to a formula, a plan or a temporary way of salvation that would change in the next "dispensation." He was talking about Himself! He was the Light. What did he teach as the proper response to that Light? "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light." (v. 36) Since Jesus became our Savior, there has been only one Light for all periods of the Church history. Not one person was saved by the "amount of light" in which they "walked," unless it was the Light of Jesus.

That Light has been the same for two thousand years. Anyone who believes the truth of Scripture and that Jesus is the only way to God and salvation, could not consistently hold to several ways to be saved, depending on the "light" available. Since the Cross, all have received the same light of the Gospel. In truth, everyone in the Bible, who was saved, was saved the same way: BY FAITH IN A JUSTIFYING GOD ALONE! Any other explanation leads to a complex of awkward fitting, contradictory, or vague teachings which have either a strained or no biblical support at all.

FAITH OR WORKS

Those who say Abraham was saved by works often use the book of James 2:18-26. A common attempt to counter the teaching of salvation by faith alone is to set James 2:24 (You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.) against Paul’s statement in Romans 3:28 (For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.) They say James’ statements support the teaching that works (or anything in addition to faith) must be added to faith in order for one to be saved.

Others actually make a terrible mistake of setting the teaching of James against Paul. They do this to buttress their theology of works’ righteousness (I mean by this, adding one’s obedience to saving faith as a condition for salvation). Those, who do not believe we can be saved through works righteousness, are as confused. They cite James to prove that faith is only a step in the plan of salvation. Teaching a series of steps in salvation places the emphasis on what we do to get to God to be saved. The Gospel declares that the steps have been taken by God in Jesus Christ. We are called to trust in the steps that Christ has taken for us on Calvary and in rising from the dead for our justification.

We must ask: "Does James teach that works (human obedience) are a part of salvation faith?" I say the answer is an emphatic "NO!" Some attempt to solve the "problem" of faith and obedience by making obedience part of saving faith. This may simplify the issue, but it contradicts the very meaning of the Gospel. We are not saved by our obedience, but by our faith in Christ’s obedience for us. More importantly, does James teach that one cannot be saved by faith alone? Again, the answer is clearly NO! Then, what is James saying? Is he in conflict with the Apostle Paul? Why do they seem to say opposite things?

AUTHENTIC FAITH

First, it is important to understand that James and Paul are talking about two different subjects. If one does not understand this fact, one will constantly misapply the teaching of James. Paul is talking about the justification of the sinner before God, while James is talking about the justification of the faith of the believer before people. This is a very important distinction and is the key to resolving what appears to be a conflict between Paul and James. Paul deals with justification before God. James addresses justification before people. In other words, James asks his readers, "How do we as people know when faith is authentic?" This is the question most important to James.

Paul, in Romans and Galatians, talks about how we are right with God through faith in the work of Jesus alone. Our work, whatever fashion or form it takes, is insufficient to make us acceptable to God. On the other hand, James is talking about the person who says they have "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1 ), but does not live a "justified" life. In other words, their works do not show the world that they have true justifying faith.

James talks of Abraham being "justified by works," but we must pay close attention to the subject of his book or we will think he is contradicting Paul. He is not. He is saying that Abraham's works justified his faith - not his soul before God. Abraham’s faith was justified before men by his works. James chooses to use a definition of the word justify (dikaio) which is "to show to be right." This is one root meaning of the word. Abraham’s works "showed him to be right" with God. This makes sense when one takes note of the time when each "justification" occurred.

Notice that James speaks of the time when Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22). This is close to thirty years (and some say possibly 50 years) after Abraham was counted righteous by faith (Genesis 15:6). Abraham was said to be counted righteous by faith by the writer of Genesis in chapter fifteen. Does James contradict this by saying he was not truly justified until Genesis twenty two? No. James is not talking about the same event as that which Paul cites in Romans four.

Genesis fifteen and Paul in Romans four speak of the time when God justified the person of Abraham. James speaks of when Abraham proves this justification is true by the sacrificing of Isaac (by faith). What James says is that God approved Abraham’s faith through the offering of Isaac. He does not mean that God saved him because he offered Isaac. A careful reading of Romans four makes this very plain.

James tells us a marvelous message of hope and assurance. God’s Word of justification in Genesis fifteen was sure enough to last Abraham 30-50 years. It was not "cheap grace." The justification endured. Also, James teaches us that God declares us righteous based on His sovereignty. When God justifies, it lasts. It is not an unstable, up and down, life of faith. It affects the heart of a person deeply, moving them to live a life of joyful obedience and unreserved consecration. This is not to be saved. But, it is because of the salvation one has received.

WHAT ABRAHAM’S FAITH MEANS

The story of Abraham concerning the promised offspring is a perfect, God-inspired illustration of the working of justification by faith. God gave Abraham a word of promise that he would be the father of many nations. He was to be the father of the Messiah. Through him would come the offspring (singular) which would bless the whole world. But, Abraham was childless. Sarah was barren. They could do nothing to make the promise come to pass. They did try to do many things to help God, but He rejected them all. The child they had was a miracle - a supernatural work of conception by God. Sarah gave birth by faith alone: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." (Heb. 11:11-12 KJV)

All they could do was receive the miracle. The promise was given to Abraham before he was faithful. He was not faithful in order to earn the promise, but because of the assurance of the promise. This is true of justification by faith. We bring nothing to the table of salvation but open empty hands. God promises, fulfills the promise supernaturally, and we in awe, wonder, and trust receive the gift of new birth.

This story tells us something else. The faith that Abraham placed in God’s declaration of justification was not mental assent. It was a faith which endured throughout and up to the end of his life. Justifying faith is anything but "easy believism." It is a rugged faith created in the heart by the entrance of the Word of promise. Nothing will separate one who believes from the love of God. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6)

If we understand James correctly, we see that Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac was evidence that God was right in Genesis fifteen. God’s justifying work was effective in Abraham’s life the rest of his life. The test of time and of God proved that the work of justification is valid. This is in fact why God tested Abraham. It was not to see if he was worthy of salvation. But, it was to show the world that his salvation was sure. Based on this sure salvation, God gave the world an object lesson of the Gospel: the offering of one’s only son.

While Abraham was justified (made right with God) by faith alone, without works (Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4), Abraham's faith (not his person) was justified by what he did. [No person justified by faith is free to live a life of ungodliness. All who are justified by faith are called to a life of obedience to Christ and true holiness, which is the character of Jesus Christ.] Paul says in Romans, ABRAHAM was justified. In James, Abraham’s FAITH was justified. For Paul in Romans, the SINNER is forgiven. In James, the believer is approved as a believer evidenced by a changed life. When we are justified, we are saved through trust alone in Christ alone. As a result, that faith will be demonstrated through the living presence of Jesus in our everyday life. If it is not, we must examine our faith to see if it is in Christ alone or in Christ plus something else. THIS IS THE TRUE AND FINAL TEST.

Abraham showed by his works that his faith was in God alone. This is why Abraham was saved. He was saved by faith in God alone. His faith was "justified" or proved by his works. He was not justified FOR his works. His justification or salvation was APART from and PRIOR to his works. But the works will always follow because the heart that is redeemed will desire to glorify God in true discipleship and submission to the will of God.

James was not teaching that a person must keep the Law or perform certain religious functions to be saved. That is far from the message of the book of James. It is also interesting that the people who want to quote James against the "believe only" people don’t seem to have a proper understanding about what James is teaching. In fact they may come under James’ correction for unwittingly doing what James is denouncing.

INAUTHENTIC FAITH

James'’ letter (as is true in most epistles) reveals certain problems among his readers. We can discern these problems by noting the admonitions given to them by James. The controversy of James was that some Jewish Christians were claiming to have the "faith of Christ," while their lives failed to reflect the presence of Christ. How was this known? Was it by super-spiritual discernment? No. It was by the absence of Christ’s character in their lives. This is an observation that even the world can make (John 13:35). They were very religious and had their doctrine fairly straight. However, their faith was lacking because it did not reflect the One in whom they supposedly believed.

James’ admonitions indicate they failed in many areas of character and conduct. They did not have compassion on the widows and orphans (1:27), they were showing favoritism and were prejudiced (2:1), they were intolerant (2:4), they failed to fulfill the "royal law" (2:13) [not the Mosaic Law] which was to "love your neighbor as yourself" [which was the ethic or law of Jesus], they came up short in providing for the needy (2:16), some were cursing others with their tongues and violating others with their mouths (3:10), out of the heart they displayed bitter envy and selfish ambitions (3:14), they were boastful and "false to the truth" (3:14), they engaged in conflicts and disputes (4:1), they were proud and arrogant (4:7-10)(4:16), they spoke evil against their brothers (4:11), they were judgmental (4:12), they did not do what was right although they knew it to be right (4:17), they grumbled against other brothers and sisters (5:9). James says this type of living is not inspired of God, but is unspiritual and devilish. It is inspired by the flesh (Jas. 3:15).

The works that they failed to keep were not the works of the law. James was correcting their failure to keep the ROYAL LAW of Christ. This was even after claiming justifying faith in Christ. He was saying that their behavior did not reflect that of one who had true faith in Jesus. They should have been compassionate, impartial, tolerant, blessing with their words, sweet and contented, selfless, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, full of righteousness, humble, patient, confessing sins, and leading sinners back to God. [Notice that James does not list any formulas, duties, ordinances, or codes of outward appearance in this list. I point this out because James is used by some to prove that these are the "works" to which James is referring. And then the huge assumption is made that they are necessary for justification (or salvation).]

DEMON FAITH

The greatest condemnation James attributes to them is that their faith is no more than DEMON FAITH. Isn’t that a harsh accusation? Not if you understand the gravity of the error these Jewish Christians were making. In 2:19 he praised their faith in the central tenet of Judaism - belief that Yahweh was One. He says, "you believe the central tenet . . . good!" He commends them for making a significant response. However, he tells them, so do the demons. James defines their faith as no better than that of the demons. What does he mean by "demon faith?" Demon faith is belief or assent without saving trust. The demons can believe that God is One. They cannot believe that God is their righteousness. They cannot be justified by their faith!

Demon faith is having knowledge and loyalty to the traditional beliefs without having true, living, vibrant, justifying faith in Jesus Christ alone. The way James shows them that they have demon faith and not justifying faith is in their character. It is in the very way they lived. They do not do the works of Jesus. Those who truly trust Jesus will manifest the life or Spirit of Jesus. Not in merely adhering to all the correct teachings, or possessing spiritual power through signs and miracles, but in showing forth the love, grace and mercy of Jesus in their relationships with others.

James is not saying we are saved by works (with "works" meaning obedience). He is saying that if we are saved, truly right with God, it will show in our attitudes, character and relationships with others (especially brothers and sisters in Christ).

Those who want to make James say that we are saved by our obedience, commit the error of making sanctification their justification. Sounds complicated? It really isn’t. In Romans and Galatians Paul is clear that we are saved by justification and not by our sanctification. Granted, our sanctification is necessary and will flow from our justification. However, we must keep the distinction between justification and sanctification clear. This way we won't fall into either legalism or lawlessness.

We are not justified by our sanctification. Justification (salvation by faith in Christ alone) is not dependent or conditional to sanctification (growth in the likeness of Christ). But, sanctification depends on and is conditional to justification. I know this all sounds technical. But, it’s important that to have a clear understanding of the differences. If we don’t, we will fall into all types of corrupt ways of believing. When we err in our faith, we err in our living. I believe that many Christians struggle with depression, guilt and loneliness because they do not really understand the Gospel. The Biblical Gospel will free us from these things.

ACTING ON OUR FAITH

One wise person asked a very poignant question: "Is acting upon our faith a part of faith itself?" With respect to justifying faith, the answer is a definite NO. The act of believing is the point of being justified and accepted by God. The "acting upon our faith" is the result of that faith. It is not the condition for our justification. As made clear in Romans four, when we work for something we are paid out of debt. But, when we do not work, and are paid something, it is a gift - an act of grace. We are saved by grace (gift) through faith (not work) in Jesus Christ alone.

A great error that too many Christians make is thinking that justifying faith INCLUDES obedience. They subtly slip obedience into their definition of faith and change the whole meaning of justification. When they do this, they take the traditional Roman Catholic position against Protestantism. This is the central issue over which the Reformation was fought.

This is not hairsplitting about language. It is of the utmost importance! The adding of obedience to salvation undercuts the grace of God in a most profound and serious manner. Why? Because it is God who saves us. He does it supernaturally - by His power and grace. He does it outside of us and our obedience. Our obedience is in response to what He has done. But it does not save us. Christ saves us! It is so simple, yet it seems so hard for many to believe.

Adding obedience to faith makes a person's salvation dependent upon their performance. It makes grace insufficient. It takes away their assurance. It makes justification a reward and not a gift. To protect a denomination’s traditional interpretation of certain passages of Scripture, some teachers make a formula out of salvation. Some give three steps, some four, and I recently saw seven steps to salvation. The Bible says there is one step (if I dare call it that): Trust in Jesus Christ alone as your atoning sacrifice and righteousness before God.

We are not judged or accepted by God because of our performance. Period! We are accepted because of the righteousness of Christ credited to us by faith. This is our source of joy and assurance. GOD has saved me. HE has done it for His glory. I am his child and no one can take that from me. One can say with Paul, "I have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). That liberty flows out of my heart into my hands and feet. It leads me to glorify and serve Christ with joy for Who He is and who I am in Him. I do not count the points at the end of the day and find out how much He loves me or how saved I am. I am justified when I wake up, all day long, when I lie down and while I sleep. Why? Because I trust in Him alone. I ‘work’ as a Christian to glorify the One who has so marvelously saved and kept me. He is my peace! He is my joy! I am complete in Him (Col. 2:10). He is my righteousness! I take His burden, and it is light.

True faith exceeds that of the demons. How? Through the gift of the righteousness of Jesus Christ given to us! We do not believe and tremble. We believe and are assured that we are righteous before God through Jesus. THIS IS THE FAITH THAT DEMONS CANNOT HAVE.