James 2
Can you imagine what life would be like if the Jesus wasn’t the sacrifice for our sins? The Bible says ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins’. Before Jesus’ death on the cross, they had to kill specific animals to atone for their sin…constantly! Imagine if we had to do that now? How does James talk about that Grace and what are we to do with it?
- MERCY TRIUMPHS (V.1-13)
- Remember James audience is the Church scattered by Saul through the Roman world outside of Israel. The Romans were used to “looking the part” so much so that some even rented gold rings to look like a higher status than they were (sound familiar social media?). At this time the assembly would have been divided from Jew and Gentile because Christian converts, who were once Jewish, were used to the separation in the Synagogue. The Roman world is soon amazed at the Church and this is what actually grows the Church through tribulation. James is appealing to our sense of judging outward appearance vs. the heart (remember Samuel anointing David?). We are under the law of liberty (Peter alludes to this by not using our freedom for fleshly desires)…which means we have free will but still sit under the authority of the Jesus—who is the fulfillment of the Law. So the law is not useless…in fact it is necessary for us to see the irresistible grace of God. We can’t be so caught up in the Law we are Judges…that’s God’s job! We are not called to convict others…that’s the Holy Spirit’s job! Our job is to LOVE!
- FAITH ACTUALLY WORKS (v.14-26)
- This is HEAVY HITTING! We are saved by faith in receiving Jesus as our Savior and though that faith our works are affirmation of our faith (our works are not the reason of our faith). Many in the religious word have misconstrued this by saying we have to work our way to Jesus…NO! We show Jesus to the world in our actions by how we Love God Love Others (see above Mercy Triumphs). James lived in a time that the Jewish converts felt once they were saved by faith in Christ that they didn’t need to bear fruit but stay comfortable…not so in following Jesus step by step! He reminds them that prayer is not a substitute for action…we are compelled to action through faith & prayer! Many times we have the greatest Scripture quotes but even satan can quote scripture…it’s what you do with the knowledge that matters (remember the Rich Young Ruler). Spurgeon says it best…”the grace that does not change my life will not save my soul”. Our works show our faith!
James 2 reminds me that the only 2 places still segregated in the US is the Church and the Barbershop…we must show unity to the world by not dividing ourselves from the .05% genetic difference we have but instead in the 100% fact we are all sinners in need of a Savior. When we rally around that it’s amazing the work we are committed to do in bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth in we Love God Love Others.
Take Away:
Why do we naturally tend to show partiality towards certain people?
What current actions show your faith is alive? Which actions show it is not?
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Tyler West 