The Way - Day 040 (James 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
James 2:1-13
In this very practical writing, James provides some superb advice on how to live as a wise follower of Jesus Christ. He spent the first chapter focusing on having the proper perspective of trials, as well as the importance of God’s word in our daily struggles. James had just challenged his readers to not only be hearers of the Word, but also doers. He will spend the remainder of the book writing practical ways a believer can exercise their faith.

In the first part of James 2, he tackles a very important issue that the church has encountered for thousands of years - favoritism. James illustrates this topic by developing a scenario that could occur in any place of worship.

 "…if there should come into your assembly [synagogue] a man with gold rings, and fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes...have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (2:2-4).

Most people can relate to James’ illustration because there are too many unfortunate opportunities where one feels as if he must judge who is important in a particular setting. Most of the time this judgement is based on outward appearance and maybe even the potential status gained by speaking to a rich or more well-known individual. James was very concerned that the church had become obsessed with those who brought prominence to the gathering rather than treating everyone the same. God's perspective is that He sees everyone as equal and, therefore, deserving of identical treatment.

James reminds his readers that "God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him..." (2:5). There was a genuine concern that the church would cater to the rich, while ignoring the needs of the poor. The rich and the poor alike should be treated the same. James continues by recalling the second great commandment - "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (2:8). The church should be consumed with meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all people instead of becoming judges of who is worthy of their attention.

When a person shows partiality, they "commit sin" (2:9). Showing favoritism is always sin because an individual places value on one, while minimizing the importance of another. Carefully examine your life and see if you are showing partiality.

James 2:14-26
Throughout the book, James has been writing about the very practical side to faith in Jesus Christ. Topics such as equality, perseverance, love for God’s word, wholesome speech, humility, patience, and fervent prayer are addressed throughout his writing. James hopes that believers will be obedient to God in these matters.

But can a person who is not concerned with obedience to God’s word have genuine faith? Apparently, some of James’ readers thought obedience and faith were not necessarily connected. Some may have viewed faith as nothing more than a simple, mental belief in the existence of God with no desire to live a righteous life (2:19). In response to this thinking, James poses a glaring question to his readers, “If someone says he has faith but does not have works…can faith save him?” (2:14). James illustrates this question by presenting a real-life situation where someone claims to have faith and sees a person in need but chooses not to provide for his need (2:15-16). The real question James is posing is “Can a person who claims to have faith in Jesus Christ ignore His command to love others?” The implied answer is “no.” Genuine faith in Jesus Christ will always produce good works. Genuine faith does NOT result in perfection, but true faith will manifest itself in a desire to obey God’s commands, even if a person sometimes fails to love. One who has no passion for doing what is right in the sight of God has not been saved by faith. Paul declares that those who believe were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

James presents two very clear illustrations from the Old Testament concerning people who were saved by faith, which was proven by their willingness to obey God: Abraham (2:21-24) and Rahab (2:25-26). Neither of these individuals were perfect, but their faith was proven by their good works. They didn’t always choose right, but they had a genuine desire to obey God…even if they struggled from time to time. Here is a simple way to summarize the words of James – works do not lead to faith, but faith leads to works. Faith is a gift from God and works are the result of that faith. James states this truth plainly when he writes, “faith without works is dead” (2:17, 20, 26).

Dear God, thank You for saving me from the power of sin. Please provide the desire to obey Your commandments and follow Your will.