James writes of Abraham and says, "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? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." In order for man to be justified by faith, faith must reach a point where it will control the affections and impulses of the heart; and it is by obedience that faith itself is made perfect.

Jakob skriver om Abraham: Blev vor fader Abraham ikke gjort retfærdig af gerninger, da han bragte sin søn Isak som offer på alteret? Som du ser, virkede troen sammen med hans gerninger og det var af gerningerne, hans tro blev fuldkommen. Dermed gik det skrift ord i opfyldelse, som lyder: Abraham troede Gud og det blev regnet ham til retfærdighed, og han blev kaldt Guds ven. (Jak 2,21-24) For at et menneske skal kunne blive retfærdiggjort ved tro, må troen nå det punkt hvor den vil kunne kontrollere hjertets følelser og impulser og det er ved lydigheden troen bliver fuldendt.