A quote from the message we heard this morning:

"If what is expressed on the outside is not in the heart, it's not real"



Scripture reference:

James 2:17-22
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
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?

Why did God require Abraham to perform the action of faith, even though this action made absolutely no sense whatsoever, if works truly do not matter?

AFTER Abraham had done this thing, the angel of the Lord said "for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. " Couldn't the Lord see the heart? Why did Abraham need to go through this situation so that God would truly know Abraham put God's Word first in his life?

Some of the same things I have wondered about. Since God gives us the power of choice, does that really mean that he doesn't know what we are going to do or decide? Or does he CHOOSE not to? But if he really is all powerful and knows all things before they happen, then yes, why does he test people? Maybe for the same reason that we pray,all the while knowing that he knows the whole situation before we pray but he still wants us to ask...but does he know what choices are going to be made by us or the ones we pray for?

Maybe he tests us for our own sake - to show US where we stand. Abraham maybe would never have known how trustworthy God was without this test. Sometimes if we fail a test it shows US which areas to brush up on even though God already knew.

**And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.**

"Some of the same things I have wondered about. Since God gives us the power of choice, does that really mean that he doesn't know what we are going to do or decide? Or does he CHOOSE not to? But if he really is all powerful and knows all things before they happen, then yes, why does he test people?"

I think that God does know what He has planned for us in this life. He has prepared a purpose for each saved person.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

 Our job is to find out what that purpose is. I don't look at it like testing me. I look at it like discovering what my gifts and talents are. I don't think He knows what we will choose, I don't think He chooses for us. I think He leads us to discover. For me that is why it's more important to focus on what my purpose is and not constantly doubt my salvation. I'm good at not doubting my salvation. I'm not so good at finding my purpose.