James 2

Respecting All People

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

James 2:2 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;
James 2:3 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:
James 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

We are to judge right from wrong, yet here we are judging only by appearance. We are not to look down on someone who dresses differently or poorly. Jesus died for whosoever would receive his promise of new life. Our example to all who enter our presence is to show love and hospitality inviting them to share in what we have received of the Lord.

When we minister at the mission, there are many ages and races, some dressed poorly needing a bath. Our message is that God loves you and wants for you to be forgiven of sins. He has a plan for each life, and everlasting life in his family. First we must receive Jesus as our Lord and savior. Then the promises of God are opened up to us. Blessings and freedom come our way through the Lord Jesus Christ. We must not refuse this invitation. We cannot enter his kingdom in our own righteousness. Money and power will not buy our way into God's family. We enter by invitation and through faith. Will you receive Jesus and the forgiveness of sins? Praise God if you have responded to his invitation!

Rich and Poor

James 2:5 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?

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

You say, oh it is the love of money that is evil. You do not love money? Can you give it all away as Jesus commanded the rich young ruler? If we have all we need, then we often do not seek God. The poor who are rich in faith in their distress call out to God and God is rich in grace towards them.

James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money).
Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

What is highly esteemed before man? Wealth, money, selfish desires, pride, power over people, looking good on the outside while having no room for God.

These things are not pleasing to God who desires, mercy, knowing right from wrong, faith, love and obedience to God.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The prayer of Jesus for you

John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 Sanctify ( separate from profane things and dedicate to God ) them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

The greatest riches are to be loved by God and forgiven through Jesus, he will never leave you, he loves you forever and shall make you free.

Law Keeping

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Here is an important word, if you offend in one point of the law you are guilty of all. Many think that by doing the best they can, that they will go to heaven. If you have broken one law you are guilty of all. Let's remember the Pharisees. They prided themselves in keeping the law.

Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Did not the Pharisees do and teach the law? They lacked the most important thing. They did not believe that Jesus was their Messiah. It is faith in the promised king of the Jews, that is counted for righteousness.

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

James 2:11 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.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Most cults put law keeping and works as the means of pleasing God. God is pleased if we first receive his son. Then comes the fruit of righteousness through the Holy Ghost. Laws do not save, Jesus saves you from your sins. If we continue as we were in sins, then we are not changed.

After salvation, the heart becomes soft and Jesus lives through us by his Holy Spirit.

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Works are important, for if we show no mercy, we shall be judged without mercy.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Not a judgement for condemnation, for we are kept by God. Rather, a judgement for rewards which includes kingdom authority.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Meeting Anothers Basic Needs

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can (that) faith save him?

James is pointing out the danger of easy words spoken for salvation as opposed to confession and a changed life. A new heart hungers and thirsts for the things of God, his word, his love and spiritual fruit, if these are missing, is the salvation sure? Dead faith, like dead works are external with an unchanged heart, perhaps just an act in an attempt to please another.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 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?

Do we go without food and clothing? No, then we need to show love to another in need. These are extreme cases where basic needs are lacking for brothers and sisters in the faith. We should by the spirit take care of their physical needs.

What is in question is our salvation. If we are new creations we will act as the Lord's servant people and receive heaven, if not? we are lost.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Jesus was quite concerned about this. We are to love God with all our being and our neighbors as ourself. The Lord is not happy with a selfish heart of unbelief.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Works of Faith

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

Faith and works that are worthy to God are from his Holy Spirit, they are spiritual fruit, alive and not dead.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

They believe, but are unchanged and headed for hell.

Mat 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Now I believe that once saved, God keeps us. But the question is, if we are saved will we not show the evidence through good works? Some Churches quote Eph 2:8,9 but leave off vs. 10. Often these churches are full of people who do nothing, almost thinking it wrong to work because "Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." but what about verse 10?

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Yes, by faith and through Jesus we receive grace and salvation, now show the fruits of righteousness. Accomplish the purpose that God has set before you. Do whatever the spirit asks you to do. Do what is right in your heart. Knowing the word of God you will recognize the Spirit's guidance.

Faith and Obedience

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Abraham heard from God and obeyed him. Had not God promised him a great nation through his son? It was a test of faith. Will we be willing to give our very best to God?

Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23 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.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

These are Old Testament examples. Salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Works then follow to prove our faith. If we are children of God, then we love him and have his nature. Always we look for the evidence of a new life, but the saving is through faith in Jesus Christ.

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

To show God's grace and forgiveness, Rahab was included in the lineage of Christ through his legal earthly father, Joseph. Rahab found favor with the Jews and their God because she protected the Jewish spies.

Josh 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
Josh 2:19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

Red thread rope representing the blood of the lamb, which would be Jesus, protected Rahab and her household. Salvation came through faith and obedience.

Gary

James Chapters

James 3
James 1
Eaglewings Bible Commentaries
Eaglewings Topical Bible Studies
Eaglewings Testimonies