Are the Other Sheep Only Counted Righteous as Friends?
and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend. (James 2:23)
Whether we are of the anointed or of the “other sheep,” Jehovah forgives our sins if we have faith in the ransom. He accepts as his worshippers those who dedicate themselves to him. He declares anointed Christians righteous as his sons and the “other sheep” righteous as his friends. (John 10:16; Romans 5:1, 2; James 2:21-25) (The Watchtower February 2017 pg. 10 par. 6)
James 2:23 is the only place in the Bible that mentions a human being counted righteous as God’s friend. Hence, the only scripture the Watchtower can use in support of their teaching that the other sheep are not sons of God but merely friends.[1] But what is the point being made by James?
18 Nevertheless, someone will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend. 24 You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:18-24)
An examination of the context reveals that his argument is if those he is writing to want to have God’s approval they need to demonstrate their faith by their works as Abraham did. Of course, because he lived before the time of Christ, Abraham was not able to become born again as one of God’s children. (John 1:12) Hence he would be considered as part of the creation waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. (Ro. 8:19) But James is not making a distinction between friendship and sonship. He is not discussing Jesus illustration of the other sheep. He says nothing about a separate group of persons that have the opportunity to exercise faith in Jesus but are not born again and can only be declared righteous as God’s friends. According to Paul, all Christians are declared righteous due to faith and become sons of God. (Gal. 3:26)
No Christian in the first century was ever referred to merely as God’s friend. Hence there is no scriptural basis for saying such is the case with any Christian today.
[1] This understanding was first explained in The Watchtower December 1, 1985 pg. 16. Pars. 13-15