Read: James 2:20-24

Having made a case for "practising what you preach", James now cites two examples from the Bible how our relationship with God finds concrete expression in how we live - how we do what God says.

The first example is Abraham, the "father" of the Jewish nation. Abraham was a nomadic herdsman. God appears to him one day, out of the blue, and offers his friendship. In exchange for Abraham's fidelity, God promises to make his descendants into a nation with a misison to be a blessing to the rest of the people on the planet.

Abraham gladly accepts the offer with a handshake, but maintains a seed of skepticism. The problem: he is old, his wife is ole, and they have never been able to conceive. How is God going to make this happen?

You can read his story beginning in Genesis 12. The questions about what God is up to is settled when Issac the miracle child is born.

In ancient cultures, it is common to offer the first born child to the gods. There is some sort of ritual, and then everybody gets on with their lives. The "gods" don't ever come to collect.

So imagine Abraham's confusion when God says, "Abraham, set up a sacrificial altar because yes, I am taking this child." The Bible does not record Abraham's protest - if he did protest. The Bible just says Abraham does exactly what he is asked.

If you know the story, as James' readers do, then you know God surprised Abraham by calling the whole thing off at the last minute, and instead provided a lamb for the sacrifice. On that day, God put an end to the practice of human sacrifices.

And Abraham helped by doing exactly what he was told even though it was an impossible request. James is saying that it is not possible to be in relationship with God, and not grapple with doing what he wants. If we ignore what God asks, we are ignoring God. It is not possible to be in relationship with someone we casually, regularly ignore out of hand.

A real relationship with God will result in real action, real change.

Write
Think about your faith story: how has God challenged you with impossible requests? How did you respond? How do you feel now about what you did or did not do?

What is God asking of you presently? What values of his is he asking you to live out? How?

Who do you know is in need of a blessing from God? How can you help answer that prayer?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about how you are doing the things God asks of you? How do your actions and values reflect the vitality of your relationship with God?

Talk to God about the things God is asking of you. How do you find yourself responding to this request? Tell God your fears, your protests, or your excitement.

Pray for your friend who needs a blessing. Tell God what you need to help.

Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy as you work to do what God asks, and to participate in God's mission to bless the peoples of the earth.