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The key is in the kind of works involved. Abraham was willing to offer his son as a sacrifice. Rahab protected the Israelite spies. These are not "works of the law", mere ritual without faith, nor are they the works of charity commanded in James 2:14-17. They are acts that proclaim faith in God, actions that make no sense apart from a deep confidence in God. Abraham placed all his hope on the altar along with Isaac. If God had failed, Abraham would have been left a bitter old man with unfulfilled promises. Rahab sided with God against her own people. If God had proved unworthy of her trust, she would have been executed as a traitor. Both showed that they were willing to trust God at tremendous risk to themselves.
When was the last time that we took a step that would have resulted in disaster if God had failed us? We are not to take risks just to test God, but we are to be willing to risk everything to obey Him.
"Reflections on . . . " is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by George C. Bush of Bedford, Nova Scotia. Freelance submissions (200-250 words in length) are welcome.
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