Good morning,
This week we continue our study of the book of James.
Chapter two explains how to deal with people, the law, faith, and works.
The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)
INTRODUCTION
People, Law, Faith, and Works
James 2
1. Respecter of Persons v 1-9
Rich vs. poor man v 1-4
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Poor: rich in faith, heirs to the kingdom v 5-6a
Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor.
Rich: oppressor v 6b-7
Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Respect to persons = transgressor v 8-9
If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
“James continues with the main theme of his letter: genuine faith in God results in genuinely changed lives. This includes the “works” that we do, which involves our actions and our thoughts. Those who have a saving belief in God, who receive the gift of salvation through trusting in Christ, are expected to act out that trust while making choices about all of their actions. In other words, according to James, belief which leads to no change, or no works, is not saving faith at all. The works do not save us, but they do reveal the character of our trust in God.
James urges his readers not to show favoritism or partiality. As a specific example, he refers to rich people, including any wealthy people that might come to Christian gatherings. To show more love and kindness to the rich than to the poor is not consistent with our professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
James asks the reader to consider a scenario in which a wealthy-looking man and poor-looking man come to their Christian gathering. Why should the rich man be given a place of honor and the poor man be made to stand or to sit on the floor? This is exactly what would have happened in the typical non-Christian environment of James’s day. Sadly, it happens in various ways even today. James is clear that it must not happen in the church.
Those who trust in Christ should trust God to provide for and protect them instead of hoping they will gain the favor and protection of the rich. After all, as James writes to his mostly poor Christian readers, it’s the rich who are currently oppressing them!
In fact, James writes, to favor the rich over the poor is a sin. It is breaking the command to love your neighbor as yourself. And since breaking any command makes one a lawbreaker, showing favoritism to the wealthy is as much a breaking of the moral laws of God as murder or adultery. We all stand in need of God’s mercy, therefore we should speak and act as people who honestly believe they will be judged by the law that brings freedom. Christians are obligated to be merciful to everyone.
(Bible Ref.com, What does James chapter 2 mean?)
The question we must answer is, do we honor the rich over the poor? If a shabby looking person came to our church, what would we do? Would we show them the same respect as one of our own members? Would we talk, sit, or even be concerned about that individual’s salvation?
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35)
2. The Law v 10-13
Keeping the law v 10-11
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Judgment and mercy v 12-13
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
“In fact, James writes, to favor the rich over the poor is a sin. It is breaking the command to love your neighbor as yourself. And since breaking any command makes one a lawbreaker, showing favoritism to the wealthy is as much a breaking of the moral laws of God as murder or adultery. We all stand in need of God’s mercy, therefore we should speak and act as people who honestly believe they will be judged by the law that brings freedom. Christians are obligated to be merciful to everyone.”
(Bible Ref.com, What does James chapter 2 mean?)
The law was impossible to keep. If the standard for salvation was the law, no one would be saved. Grace through faith is God’s plan. Before Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, it was still by faith in God.
God has shown mankind His mercy throughout every dispensation of history.
We as believers now should be showing God’s mercy to others.
Are we?
3. Faith and Works v 14-20
Destitute man v 14-16
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Faith needs works v 17-20
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 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. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
“For James, justification is by faith that works—by a genuine faith that manifests itself in post-conversion works. Before salvation, these Jews had believed in the efficacy of works. Now some were reacting to the opposite extreme, imaging that works play no part in the salvation experience. James retorts that the kind of faith that does not produce works is not saving faith. Can merely professed but undemonstrated faith save?” (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988, page 1940)
We as believers in Christ should be demonstrating our faith. This should be seen in the things we do, say, and our love for the brethren.
Do people see our faith being manifested throughout our community?
4. Examples of Faith plus Works v 21-26
Abraham v 21-24
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 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. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Rahab v 25-26
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
“James concludes with two examples of genuine faith: Abraham and Rahab. One was a Jewish patriarch of great sanctity, whose faith was perfected by his works. The other was the lowest citizen of a condemned Gentile city, whose newfound faith was dramatized by her works. No matter whether one has the mature faith of an Abraham or the baby-like faith of a Rahab, there must be evidence of that faith.” (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988, page 1940)
How are we exhibiting our faith? Could we be doing better? Do we desire to?
Ponder these things.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
CONCLUSION
Respect all persons equally
Keeping the law is unattainable
Faith without works is dead
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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