Verse 1-4: Warning against Favoritism
Verse 5-7: The Rich and the Poor
Verse 8-11: The Royal Law
Verse 12-13: Judgment and Mercy
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
The Sin of Partiality
1My brothers,a show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodb is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Favoritism Condemned: The chapter begins by warning against showing favoritism, particularly towards the wealthy. James emphasizes that such behavior is inconsistent with faith in Jesus, who chose the poor to be rich in faith.
The Royal Law: He highlights the importance of the "royal law," which is to love one's neighbor as oneself. Violating this law, even in one aspect, is equivalent to breaking all of God’s commands.
Faith and Works: James argues that faith without works is dead. He illustrates this by providing examples, such as Abraham and Rahab, who demonstrated their faith through their actions. Genuine faith is shown through deeds.
Conclusion: The chapter concludes by reiterating that faith and actions must go hand in hand. True faith produces good works, and a living faith is evident in how one lives and treats others.
Main Points
Key Takeaways
Overall, James chapter 2 emphasizes the necessity of embodying one's faith through love and action, warning against hypocrisy and partiality. He emphasizes that genuine Christianity involves both believing in Jesus and living out that faith practically. He challenges believers to overcome prejudice and discrimination, showing equal love and respect to all people regardless of their background or circumstances.
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
A look in the mirror
- Darrell Powell
Our society is addicted to "reality." I guess it started a good while back with crime shows like Cops and Real TV. Then, we made the switch to relationship shows like The Bachelor(ette). It seems that nothing is too sacred or outlandish for people to turn into a reality show. There is even one now that consists of two families swapping mothers/wives for two weeks (if this isn't evidence that our nation's family values are out of whack, I don’t know what is).
The lure of these shows is the fascination we have with seeing "real" people in "real" situations… seeing who they REALLY are! Yeah right! With cameras in their face and the world watching, how real do you think these people are being? Reality or not, the key word is "show." Do we ever put on a show for others? What is the truth about who you are? What if everyone you know was able to look in your mirror and see exactly what you see… who you really are (James 1:23-25)?
How would your friends react? Would your Christian friends be shocked at the person you are in secret? Would your non-Christian friends be shocked to find that you are a Christian at all? Are you the kind of person who "observes himself, (in the mirror), goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was?" (1:24).
Most importantly, what do you see when you look in the mirror of truth? Perhaps you yourself are fooled into seeing something that's not true (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This is especially dangerous when it relates to eternal salvation. The devil says, "Everyone's ok," and "God doesn't mean what he says." But God will keep His promises, including, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
The REAL you peeks out when no one is looking (Mama always said). And the REAL you is determined by your actions… not by your intentions. Make your reality pleasing to God by obeying His will.
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LOOKING IN THE MIRROR
Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, "surely I can't look that old?" I love this story below that has been widely circulated:
I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 37 years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back then?
Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. Hmmm..., or could he?
After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School.
"Yes. Yes, I did. I'm a Mustang," he gleamed with pride.
"When did you graduate?" I asked.
He answered, "In 1967. Why do you ask?"
"You were in my class!" I exclaimed.
He looked at me closely. Then, that ugly, wrinkled old man asked, "What did you teach?"
It's so easy, isn't it, to see the faults in someone else? We see their wrinkles. We see their gray hair. Even more than that, we see all the "specks" in their eyes (Matthew 7:3). But we are not so quick to notice those flaws in ourselves.
When I was young, I was determined to change the world and make it a better place. As I grew older, I realized that was an unrealistic goal and re-committed myself to changing the people around me. I've gotten a little bit older (and grayer). I still want to try to influence people around me, but I have learned that, ultimately, the only person I can change is me, and there is plenty that still needs to be changed.
James compares reading the Word of God with looking in a mirror:
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:22-25)
May we truly view the Word of God, not as a microscope to examine the lives of others, but as a mirror to search into our own hearts and lives.
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3 Ways to Revive Your Lukewarm Faith
Here are three ways that I recommend to revive a lukewarm faith. Which ones would you suggest?
Witnessing to the Lost
If you want to turn a tepid faith to boiling hot, start witnessing to the lost. What this does is give you a good memory bank of Bible verses because you’re going to need them: verses that talk about the eventual fate of all who refuse to repent and trust in Christ (Rev 20:12-15), why we need the Savior (John 3:18b, 36b), what Christ’s death on the cross can do (2 Cor 5:21), and every one of us having an appointment with death and then the judgment (Heb 9:27). Witnessing to the lost is a scary thing, yes, but it is one of the most rewarding things that a Christian can do. There is such indescribable joy and peace after you have shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it forces you to memorize scriptures that show people why they need Christ (Rom 3:10-11, 23; 6:23).
Start a Ministry
A few years ago, I jumped into a nursing home ministry with cold feet and started a Bible study. I had no clue what I was doing. I was apprehensive because I didn’t know anyone, nor did anyone know me, but after a few weeks, the residents, their families, and the staff began to look forward to my visits, and I found out that next to witnessing, there is no greater joy than to visit with these seniors, who are very lonely and just want someone to talk to. And guess what? “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). There are two things worth mentioning here. This is one thing that God the Father accepts as pure and faultless religion. Also, how many in a nursing home are orphans and widows? Almost every one of them! That will fire up your faith, I guarantee it!
Take a Risk for the Kingdom
In many ways, a faith that has never been tested can never be trusted, so if you ever get an idea about doing something radical for the kingdom, do it. I would put it this way: Never suppress an urge to be generous. I heard one pastor who was in a grocery line watching a woman with two children and no wedding ring. This poor woman was counting out her change to see if she had enough to pay for her groceries. It appeared that it was going to be close, so the pastor had an urge, or perhaps a Spirit-induced impulse, to just pay for the woman’s grocery bill. This woman saw what he did, started crying, and thanked him. The pastor never said who he was but only said that “God has been good to me, and He seemed to be telling me to help you, so I did.” Interestingly, a few weeks later the woman happened to show up at his church, and she recognized him. That woman later came to a saving faith in Christ. Being a single mother might be the hardest job on earth, so if you get an urge or impulse to be generous to a single mother, or anyone for that matter, do it–take a risk. God will not forget your generosity.
Conclusion
Do you really want Jesus to feel like He wants to spew you out of His mouth because your faith is so lukewarm that it’s disgusting to Him (Rev 3:16)? Think that’s not serious? The Greek word for spew is “emeō,” which literally means “to vomit” or “throw up.” That’s how sick our lukewarm faith can make Jesus feel–so sick to His stomach that He vomits us out. Gross, I know, but that is the original language it is written in, so fire up your faith, witness to the lost, minister to the lonely, take a risk, and help someone who needs it. You’ll revive that lukewarm faith into a boil.
May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman
KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE WARNING LIGHT
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:12-15
A few weeks ago, the low-coolant warning light came on in my car. I took it to a shop and was assured that nothing was wrong. The light had just turned itself on for no reason. The light irritated me, but I could live with it over the next four weeks.
After taking a short trip, my car leaked all over the place after it was parked. I took it back to the shop and they examined it again and found the problem. A $12 hose had a hole in it. They fixed it for me. When I got home, I noticed the coolant warning light was no longer glowing.
I was a bit alarmed. What if the warning light was on for a reason over the last four weeks? What if the car had been running hot and the temperature gauge was not working?
I checked the oil and it looked funny. Back to the shop I went and found out that it had a blown head gasket. Now instead of a few dollars, that $12 hose was going to end up costing me over $800. Needless to say, I went to another mechanic.
Our sins seem to snowball on us, much like my car problems. Problems start small and when we ignore them, they get bigger and more expensive. The alcoholic had a first drink. The drug user had a first-time use. The adulterer crossed that first line somewhere. The malicious person was mean for a first time. The thief had to first feel envy. Some of us (like me) had to eat too much for a first time.
Thought of the Day = Keep your eyes on lifes warning signs when you first receive them. Then, your sins will not grow into expensive problems.
WHERE ARE WE HEADED?
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin.”
James 1:14
There was a time when all the talk after the Super Bowl was regarding the brilliant commercials. Last nights Super Bowl game was one of the greatest football games I can remember. It has also developed into an enjoyable time for our families and friends to get together and watch something together on TV.
Reaction to the Super Bowl halftime show has been largely positive, with critics calling it “showstopping” and “flat-out electric,” but I am questioning the message the NFL was sending millions of young fans.
The halftime show was shocking and disappointing. The NFL should take a hard look at what they are trying to accomplish while having such a large age diverse audience watching. Has America fallen to the point where we accept this type of entertainment as “family friendly.” I wasn’t expecting to see a replay of one of the old Billy Graham revivals last night, however, I was saddened in the way our society has accepted things in prime time that would only a few years ago been viewed only on a Pay Per View channel.
We've seen it all before. But it still retains its ability to shock when presented on one of the biggest stages in the world, reaching the widest audience – an audience that, indeed, included kids. Sunday night families were gathered around the TV to watch one of America’s most talked about events, and for some they got more than they expected. While I realize that to some I sound like a prude this morning, Scripture teaches us that the wise believer should guard our private thoughts, realizing how much power they exert on behavior. We must be vigilant about protecting our imagination, trying to think only about things that are wholesome and pure.
Pepsi and the NFL let down America for showing us that the sexual exploitation of women is still okay in America instead of raising the standard of what is acceptable and what is not. The show was filled with lots of pelvic thrusting, grabbing private parts, and costumes that left little to the imagination. We should be troubled by the sexually suggestive nature of the halftime performances. However, as I read this mornings paper it is being hailed as the most outstanding halftime show in Super Bowl history.
But if the Super Bowl is going to be touted as family entertainment, or at least not marketed as adult entertainment, perhaps the NFL has an obligation to warn people with children that what they're about to see may be upsetting to some viewers.
We just continue to accept what the world throws at us. After a while we aren’t even shocked anymore as we are shamed into being tolerant of the things that go against the teachings we say we believe.
Thought of the Day = It does make you wonder, what will next year’s Super Bowl halftime showcase?
