Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from James 2:23. It's a really powerful message about faith and how we are valued by God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says: “The scripture was fulfilled…” – This refers to the Old Testament prophecies (stories and laws written down) that spoke about Abraham. “…which saith, Abraham believed God…” – It tells us that Abraham believed in God. He didn't just passively accept God’s promises; he truly believed. “…and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:” - "Imputed" means something is given to someone as a reward or payment. In this case, God credited (gave) Abraham a reward – a special kind of reward – for his belief. It wasn’t earned through good deeds, but because of his faith. “…and he was called the Friend of God.” - This is the really key part! Abraham's belief in God led to him being called the “Friend of God.” It means he was recognized as someone who had a special relationship with God, and that relationship was given to him because of his faith. So, what does this all mean? It’s saying that faith is more important than our actions. Our good deeds and accomplishments are results of our faith – it's our belief in something that makes us worthy of God’s love and acceptance. Abraham’s example shows us that believing in God, even without doing great things, can lead to a wonderful reward. In short, the verse emphasizes that our worth is given to us by God through faith – not by what we do. Think of it like this: Imagine you have a really nice, shiny trophy. You could win it with your skills and hard work. But if you believe in yourself and your abilities, you might be awarded a special prize because of your belief. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you an example of how faith is used in everyday life?