Two people walk into the church. One is well dressed, clean, and well groomed. The other looks (and smells) as though the clothes on his back are the only clothes he owns, and he’s been wearing them for a while. What happens? Do they both get greeted? Would they both be welcomed?
James 2 reminds us to, “show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” The faith in our Lord Jesus teaches that all people are loved by God. All people sin and need a savior. Jesus died for the smelly and the clean, the poor and the rich. When we show favoritism to a group of people we deny that true message of the Gospel. Not only that, but we put road blocks between some who would come to the Lord and their Savior.
James focuses in on the contrast between wealthy and poor. Please remember that as a North American we are the rich in comparison to most of the rest of the world. However, we are called not to be rich with material blessings, but to be rich in faith. Faith brings us shoulder to shoulder with every person. We are all people in need of a savior, who need redemption. We’ve got the Savior, the Redeemer. That doesn’t make us better than anyone – it makes us people with something to share, and it’s hard to share if we’re cutting people off by showing favoritism.
Each of us faces the Judgment in the End, and James urges us to, “speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” We are people who are set free. We do not keep the Law out of compulsion, but we seek to do God’s will out of love for Him and love for our neighbor, and love (agape-love that is) does not show favoritism, but cares for everyone and sees each person as someone who is valuable to Jesus. That leads us to show mercy – the very mercy we have received from God’s hand.
James goes on to talk about faith and works. He famously says, “faith without works is dead,” and “I will show you my faith by my works.” He also says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” How does this square with Paul’s comments about salvation being completely by faith? (Romans 1:17 – “the righteousness of God revealed from faith for faith” – that is completely by faith.)
Remember that James and Paul are speaking to different audiences. Paul is teaching the Gospel to people who have very little knowledge of God’s Word or love. James is confronting people who know the Gospel and God’s Word but seem to have forgotten that God calls us to live our faith out. In other word, God calls us to put our faith into action. (“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Jas. 1:22) So both James and Paul talk about Abraham. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Paul focuses people in on the fact that it was Abraham’s faith that brought him into a saving relationship with God. James focuses in on the fact that Abraham’s faith moved him to act upon God’s promises. They are two sides to the same coin.
Faith takes hold of God’s promises for forgiveness, salvation, provision, etc. and then acts upon them.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me faith and forgiveness in Jesus. I have not always followed my faith into action, guide me by your Spirit to trust your Word and act upon your promises. Help me to show the difference You make in me in the way I speak, act, and conduct my daily life so that I will help to draw people to You for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
James 2 reminds us to, “show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” The faith in our Lord Jesus teaches that all people are loved by God. All people sin and need a savior. Jesus died for the smelly and the clean, the poor and the rich. When we show favoritism to a group of people we deny that true message of the Gospel. Not only that, but we put road blocks between some who would come to the Lord and their Savior.
James focuses in on the contrast between wealthy and poor. Please remember that as a North American we are the rich in comparison to most of the rest of the world. However, we are called not to be rich with material blessings, but to be rich in faith. Faith brings us shoulder to shoulder with every person. We are all people in need of a savior, who need redemption. We’ve got the Savior, the Redeemer. That doesn’t make us better than anyone – it makes us people with something to share, and it’s hard to share if we’re cutting people off by showing favoritism.
Each of us faces the Judgment in the End, and James urges us to, “speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” We are people who are set free. We do not keep the Law out of compulsion, but we seek to do God’s will out of love for Him and love for our neighbor, and love (agape-love that is) does not show favoritism, but cares for everyone and sees each person as someone who is valuable to Jesus. That leads us to show mercy – the very mercy we have received from God’s hand.
James goes on to talk about faith and works. He famously says, “faith without works is dead,” and “I will show you my faith by my works.” He also says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” How does this square with Paul’s comments about salvation being completely by faith? (Romans 1:17 – “the righteousness of God revealed from faith for faith” – that is completely by faith.)
Remember that James and Paul are speaking to different audiences. Paul is teaching the Gospel to people who have very little knowledge of God’s Word or love. James is confronting people who know the Gospel and God’s Word but seem to have forgotten that God calls us to live our faith out. In other word, God calls us to put our faith into action. (“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Jas. 1:22) So both James and Paul talk about Abraham. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Paul focuses people in on the fact that it was Abraham’s faith that brought him into a saving relationship with God. James focuses in on the fact that Abraham’s faith moved him to act upon God’s promises. They are two sides to the same coin.
Faith takes hold of God’s promises for forgiveness, salvation, provision, etc. and then acts upon them.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me faith and forgiveness in Jesus. I have not always followed my faith into action, guide me by your Spirit to trust your Word and act upon your promises. Help me to show the difference You make in me in the way I speak, act, and conduct my daily life so that I will help to draw people to You for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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