"Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: an he was called the friend of God." James 2:23. And Paul says, "They which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Galatians 3:7. But Abraham's faith was made manifest by his works. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.?" James 2:21, 22. There are many who fail to understand the relation of faith and works. They say, "Only believe in Christ, and you are safe. You have nothing to do with keeping 154 the law." But genuine faith will be manifest in obedience. Said Christ to the unbelieving Jews, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39. And concerning the father of the faithful the Lord declares, "Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Genesis 26:5. Says the apostle James, "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17. And John, who dwells so fully upon love, tells us, "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3.

"Abraham troede Gud, og det blev regnet ham til retfærdighed" og han blev kaldt Guds ven." Jak. 2, 23. "De, som er af tro, de er Abrahams børn." Gal. 3, 7. Men Abrahams tro åbenbaredes gennem hans gerninger. "Blev ikke vor fader Abraham retfærdiggjort af gerninger, da han bragte sin søn Isak som offer på alteret? Du ser altså, at troen virkede sammen med hans gerninger, og ved gerningerne nåede troen sin fuldendelse." Jak. 2, 21-22. Der er mange, der ikke forstår forholdet mellem tro og gerninger. De siger: "Tro blot på Kristus, så er du på den sikre side. Du behøver ikke at holde loven". Men en ægte tro vil vise sig ved lydighed. Kristus sagde til de vantro jøder: "Hvis I er Abrahams børn, gør så Abrahams gerninger." Joh. 8, 39. Og om de troendes fader siger Herren: "Abraham adlød mine ord og holdt sig mine forskrifter efterrettelig, mine bud, anordninger og love." 1. Mos. 26, 5, Apostlen Jakob siger: "Sådan er det også med troen; hvis den ikke har gerninger, er den i sig selv død." Jak. 2, 17. Og Johannes, der taler så meget om kærlighed, siger: "Dette er kærlighed til Gud, at vi holder hans bud." 1. Joh. 5, 3.