In our study of James chapter two, we will look at poverty and God's plan for the church. If we stop and look at all of the government programs from around the world to fight poverty, we will be amazed by how ineffective they truly are. We may ask ourselves why this is so and why God allows so much hurt and suffering. The simple fact of the matter is that the "church of today" has largely went missing in action in God's war on poverty. The poor are mentioned often in scripture and it is made clear that it is the duty of believers in Christ (not governments) to take care of the widows and the poor. James reminds us of this in this chapter!
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My brothers, practice the faith of our Lord Yeshua, the glorious Messiah, without showing favoritism.
It is interesting to note once again that, instead of reminding us that he was Jesus' half-brother, he calls Jesus "our glorious Lord Jesus Christ". We can also see immediately that he is addressing us because of our relationship with that same Jesus. He gets right to the point in telling us not to show "favoritism".
Suppose a man comes into your synagogue wearing gold rings and fancy clothes, and also a poor man comes in dressed in rags. If you show more respect to the man wearing the fancy clothes and say to him, "Have this good seat here," while to the poor man you say, "You, stand over there," or, "Sit down on the floor by my feet," then aren't you creating distinctions among yourselves, and haven't you made yourselves into judges with evil motives?
Now, he gives an example from one of the believers' meetings. It is important to note here that he is not talking about going to a "church" building but is in fact talking about when the believers met in a home. James shows us two different reactions to men and the reactions are based on their outward appearance of riches. Then he asks them (and us) to examine those reactions and the motives behind them. We may be quick to say that we do not do this but just try to imagine these two men walking into our worship meetings. The simple fact is that in many cases the reaction is based on the judgment that the poorly dressed do not have the financial means to further the "mission of the church" and they are seen as takers and a burden to the rest of the "members". Often, leaders will fall all over themselves to get to the one that appears to be rich and not even notice the poor.
Listen, my dear brothers, hasn't God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to receive the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
James reminds us (with a question) that God uses the lowly and the poor (in the eyes of the world) and in fact that they are chosen to inherit the kingdom. If we look back at the family tree of Jesus (see Matthew 1:1 - 17), we will see that God chose these "poor" people to be a part of bringing Jesus into the world. There are murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, lowly shepherds and those without money on that list. We may ask ourselves why God uses this type of people and the answer is very simple. When God uses the "lowly and poor" to do great things it is obvious that it is only by God's power that the things are being done and not of the power of the humans. This brings greater glory to God and also helps us to see that God can use each and every one of us for His kingdom. Do you know of someone that is considered "lowly and poor" by the standards of this world yet God is using them? You can share the story with us and help us to build up the church.
But you despise the poor! Aren't the rich the ones who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who insult the good name of Him to whom you belong?
Many of us will be quick to read this and point the finger at "the rich" but we should first remember that, since you are reading this study on a computer, you probably are one of "the rich". Then, we must look at ourselves and ask ourselves the questions in this passage. You may ask: "How have I slandered the name of the Lord?" The simple fact is that by not remembering that all men are created in God's image (see Genesis 1:27) and respecting them/showing them love we do not present a true picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is slander to His name. Showing them love involves sharing with them and helping to meet their needs; that is what Jesus told us to do.
If you truly attain the goal of Kingdom Torah, in conformity with the passage that says, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, your actions constitute sin, since you are convicted under the Torah as transgressors.
Here, James reminds us of the commandment to love others as yourself. This was originally given to God's people in Leviticus 19:18 and Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was, said that this is second only to loving God (see Matthew 22:39). He shows us that the poor that we are discriminating against are in fact our neighbors. When we do not respect and show them love, we are breaking what Jesus called the second most important command.
For a person who keeps the whole Torah, yet stumbles at one point, has become guilty of breaking them all. For the One who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder."c Now, if you don't commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Torah.
James is pointing out the simple fact that sin is sin. It seems today that we act as if some sins are worse than others but, in reality, God sees them all as disobedience. James points this out to make us see that not honoring the poor is just as bad as murder or adultery in God's eyes.
Keep speaking and acting like people who will be judged by a Torah which gives freedom. For judgment will be without mercy toward one who doesn't show mercy; but mercy wins out over judgment.
Once again, James is not talking about becoming saved by works. He tells us to "speak and act" as if we are under the law not to show mercy to become saved. He is simply saying that, if we are saved by Jesus Christ, we will demonstrate mercy to the poor and others because of the love that is in us through Jesus. We, as Christians, will be judged on our words and actions but it is not a judgment of salvation it is a judgment of rewards.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to prove it? Is such "faith" able to save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, and someone says to him, "Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!" without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.
Now, James tries to reason with the readers and gives us a practical example. He asks us to look at the case of someone who doesn't have proper clothes or food and ask ourselves what good it is to give that man words. He will still be hungry and cold. In the same way, if we say we have faith and yet that faith does not bring about change in our lives, we have to examine our faith and our walk with the Lord.
But someone will say that you have faith and I have actions. Show me this faith of yours without the actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions!
Once again, James shows us that deeds do not stand alone and cannot save us. But, he also shows us that, if we are saved, our faith in Jesus Christ will cause us to demonstrate it through our actions. We must understand that God does not need our works as He created everything by simply speaking. But, He gives us the opportunity to serve Him so that we may bring Him glory and so that others may believe in Jesus Christ.
You believe that "God is one"? Good for you! The demons believe it too - the thought makes them shudder with fear!
There is much talk of faith these days and even the fact that there is one God is widely accepted. James tells us that even the demons believe that but real saving faith is a faith in Christ Jesus as the payment for our sins.
But, foolish fellow, do you want to be shown that such "faith" apart from actions is barren? Wasn't Avraham avinu declared righteous because of actions when he offered up his son Yitz'chak on the altar? You see that his faith worked with his actions; by the actions the faith was made complete;
When James is talking about "useless" faith he is talking about faith that is dead and by that he means faith that is not being put to use. It is like having a thoroughbred race horse but never taking it out of the barn to race. Even though it is not taken out of the barn, it is still a racehorse but it is not the runner that God made it to be. The same is true with faith in that many have faith in Jesus for salvation but they leave it in the barn. They do not realize the blessing of taking it out and putting it to work which will strengthen and help the believer to grow closer to God. James uses the example of Abraham and Isaac to demonstrate how faith and action go hand in hand.
and the passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled which says, "Avraham had faith in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness." He was even called God's friend. You see that a person is declared righteous because of actions and not because of faith alone.
The scripture quoted here is from Genesis 15:6 and refers to the fact that God told Abram that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and, even though he was an old man, he believed God. Justification is a legal term where an accused person is declared to be not guilty. James is talking about the fact that we are declared not guilty of sin because of our faith in Jesus Christ but he is also saying that, if we have faith in Jesus, there will be outward demonstration of it (works). You can think of your walk as an apple tree where faith in Jesus is the roots which nourish the tree. An apple tree when fed by the roots will produce fruit because that is what God created it to do. The same thing is true of a Christian in that, if we have a saving faith, we will produce fruit.
Likewise, wasn't Rachav the prostitute also declared righteous because of actions when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another route? Indeed, just as the body without a spirit is dead, so too faith without actions is dead.
Now, James gives us the second example of faith in action and the reason is that, with God, all matters are to be settled by two witnesses (two is the number of witnessing throughout the Bible). Here, he uses the example of Rahab the prostitute from Joshua chapter two. Then, James ends his teaching with the example of the human body and death.
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