James 2

James 2 (NIV)

As expressed in last weeks study, the Book of James can be described as a “how-to” book for Christian living. James the half-brother to Jesus, called himself a “servant of God”. We as believers, should also remember we are also servants of God as well and should act as such- in all we do!

Favoritism Forbidden

2 1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

For those who call themselves Christians, James here is warning us not to judge or discriminate other people based on outward appearances or circumstances.

Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely…

Matthew 9:4 (NIV) 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Romans 2:6 (NIV)

6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”

John 7:24 (NIV)

24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

We should always question ourselves to check our motives and actions. We are all God’s children, and God doesn’t have favorites, neither should we.

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[Lev 19:18] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.”[Ex 20:13-14, Deut 5:17-18] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James is reminding the reader that Scripture gives us a law, ”Love your neighbor as yourself”. This law is a “Royal” law, it comes from the King of Kings, and if Christians break this law or act unjustly, they will be convicted by that law and punished accordingly! God takes this law seriously, since God has created all mankind in His Image and His Likeness!

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[Dead]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[Gen 15:6] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

It is one thing to just say you believe in God, it is another to act as though you believe in God! Faith without works is dead, dead meaning nothing, nothing to back it up … 0 , zip.

Scripture plainly shows that an acknowledgment of God without works is a lack of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus said, people will say to Him- “Lord Lord”, and He will say to them, “away from me for I do not know you”.

There is NO middle ground, everyone must either live for God or live for the devil, you can’t serve two masters.

Faith is the root, good works or deeds are the fruit, we must, as believers, have both.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

“does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. That’s works.
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’