When did God deal with Abraham's faith — at the beginning or at the offering of Isaac?
God dealt with Abraham's faith at the very beginning, when he believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness. The offering of Isaac occurred some fifty years later and concerned works, not Abraham's origin. James addresses that later event, showing faith made perfect by works, not Abraham's initial saving faith.
Les explains that James 2 asks about Abraham being justified by works when he offered Isaac upon the altar. Les raises the question of when God deals with Abraham's faith: at the very beginning, or later when Isaac is already on the scene, some fifty years afterward. The answer is at the beginning. Therefore, James is not talking about Abraham's origin but about something that took place fifty years later, at the offering of Isaac. Verse 22 says faith wrought with his works, and by works his faith was made perfect, fulfilling Scripture that Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God. James then says by works a man is justified, and not by faith alone. On the surface this seems contradictory, but Les says James is looking at the faith of an individual as man determines it. If people are to determine whether someone has saving faith, the only criteria they have is works. But God does not need works.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
More Questions
Why does James say Abraham was justified by works if he was saved by faith at the beginning?
James 2:21 is not describing Abraham's origin or first justification, but an event about 50 years later — the offering of Isaac on the altar.