I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD

About three years ago, I had the opportunity to teach Bible to our Jr. High and High School students. We studied through the book of James that year. As we studied this epistle, we came to several passages of Scripture that had to do with WORKS.
James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone"
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"

James, when teaching about WORKS, gives two illustrations and one of them was Abraham(James 2:21-26). Lord willing, we are going to look at a very important event in Abraham’s life in his walked with God and how his works showed in whom he had believed (Genesis 22).
In order to know in whom Abraham had believed, we need to ask these questions: Who was God to Abraham? Did Abraham know in whom he has believed? Was Abraham persuaded in the omnipotence and omniscience of the God in whom he had believed? Let’s look at the following background:
1. Abraham had a perspective of God that was comprehensive and practical. To him God was "the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth"(Gen. 14:22)
2. Abraham called God:
a) The Most High God – (Gen. 14:18-20) El Elyon (High)
b) Lord GOD – (Gen. 15:2,8) Adonai(The one Who Owns me) Jehovah(The existing One, I Am)
c) Almighty GOD – (Gen. 17:1) El Shaddai (The Nourisher)
d) Everlasting GOD – (Gen. 21:33) El Olam (Indefinite Period)

The knowledge that Abraham had concerning the omnipotence of this God, as we can see in the way he testifies of Him, was a practical reality in Abraham’s life as the laws of nature were overruled in the provision of the promised son (Gen. 18:13,14; 21:1-7). I believe that because of this intimate knowledge that Abraham had of our Heavenly Father; there is no wonder we read in James "...and he was called the Friend of God."

Now, knowing the God in whom Abraham had believed, we have a better understanding of the basis for his FAITH in this God, whom Abraham fearest, and through his obedience demonstrating his FAITH by WORKS. Now, with all this in mind: Is the God that you are trusting IN the same God that Abraham trusted? What is the basis for your FAITH? Are you trully persuaded so that God can say of you "I know that thou fearest God" because of your obedience without question?

We see that God was pleased when He says about Abraham "I know that thou fearest God". Therefore, coming soon, a study of Genesis 22 seeing Abraham’s WORKS that led to that wonderful testimony.

IS SIMPLE TO BE A SIMPLE MAN!!

In the book of Proverbs, we have a very well description of several types of men: the foolish man, the wise man, the prudent man, the scornful man, the simple man, etc. Let's look at one of the men in Proverbs, the simple man.
The simple man has the distict characteristic of being easily allured or deceived. The Hebrew word for "simple" has the understanding of: seducible; make roomy; delude; deceive; entice.
Now, having all of these things in mind; is it a sin to be a simple man? NO. But, it is a sin to stay simple (as one servant of God once said). Well, you may say, why? That is a good question that you are asking!!! So, let me answer that question.
1. Because the simple man believes every word: "The simple believeth every word word..." Proverbs 14:15a
2. Because the simple man does evil: "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 22:3; 27:12
3. Because the simple man is without understanding: "And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youth, an young man woid of understanding." Proverbs 7:7
Also, one example of many examples that we have in the Word of God conerning the simple man that can help, is in I Kings 13:7-26. I will exhort you to specially pay attention to v. 26 "...It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD..."
What is the simple man lacking? DISCERNMENT!!!! "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10