The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 1-13)

Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2: Verses 1-13)

¹ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; 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: ⁴ Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 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? ⁶ But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? ⁷ Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? ⁸ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ⁹ But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 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. ¹² So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³ For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment – James 2:1-13

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The Sovereignly sown “scriptures” themselves Divinely do indeed DECLARE that our great “God” is absolutely “impartial” in dealing with ALL people. And in that wonderful way He is utterly UNLIKE anyone else! Conversely, “we” are very “partial” and tend to put everyone in various categories COMPARED to the other people. This may be due to their looks or particular wardrobe or the kind of car they drive or the kind of house they live in. Perhaps it is due to their ethnicity, social status or their personality as such. Beloved, absolutely ALL of those things should NOT matter to “us” and are certainly of NO significance to “God” Himself. These trite “things” are indeed – NOTHING to Him!

Therefore, “James” begins this next challenging chapter with yet ONE more telling TEST for the lauded “life” of a true blood-bought “believer” beset in “Jesus Christ” eternal. We MUST avidly avoid showing a wrong “respect” of pertinent partiality to others in absolutely – ANY Way…

Putting OFF Partiality!

The NINETH true trying TEST is have no ranking “respect of persons” as such. To begin with, “James” takes a sincere stance on this mindful matter made by a WRONG wrangled “respect of persons” through a particular Partiality predominantly from an economic and social perspective. These powerfully poignant passages CONFRONT another serious “sin” problem within the “hearts” of the “brethren” in a very practical way concerning “our” own acquired ATTITUDES within the apt “assembly” assumed:

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; 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 2:1-4

Sadly, “we” can tend to “have respect” towards particular people within the “church” body to “our” own shame. WHY? Because of our fickle “fallen” and snide “sinful” human nature! We are often IMPRESSED with bank account balances or the cars some may drive. We can be IMPRESSED with beautiful wardrobes of “goodly apparel” or shiny “gold rings” and jewelry. We can be IMPRESSED with the vocations some people hold or perhaps their reputations before man. We can even be IMPRESSED if some have amassed a host of letters at the end of their names through higher education attained. “But… Our “Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” Himself is definitely NOT at all intensely impressed with absolutely ANY of these – Exemplified EXTERNALS!

Conversely, “our” loving “Lord” is not at all DISINTERESTED  in any of “us” because “we” may be financially “poor” or having certain “raiment” to wear. He is not at all DISINTERESTED in any of “us” because “we” may work a common job or perhaps haven’t acquired any higher degrees in education or in personal reputation or a certain social standing. He is not at all DISINTERESTED with “us” because of what we lack as such. Nor is He IMPRESSED in any of “us” because of what “we” may possess as such. This should be TRUE for each of “us” as well! The soul of the person IS the issue here, NOT their outward appearance. And “we” who belong to our “Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” each MUST be personally – Putting OFF Partiality!

Kingdom HEIRS!

“James” then makes an authoritative call to wholly “Hearken” carefully to him as he FURTHER addresses his “beloved brethren” with a quizzing QUESTION concerning the spiritually surmised “poor” within the “kingdom” of “God” granted:

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? – James 2:5

Although not everyone in the first-century “church” was financially challenged, the majority of the people in those EARLY years were indeed “poor” in regards to worldly wealth. They were quite UNLIKE the economically robust “rich” and piously ranking “religious” hypocritical LEADERSHIP reminiscent of “James’” big half-brother’s Sovereignly summoned Sermon on the Mount found within chapter 5 of Matthew's Gospel given…

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you – Matthew 5:3-12

However, in regards to the spiritually purposed “poor” pictured in “this world” referred to by “Jesus Christ” and the financially faithful “poor” saints of the “assembly” referred to here ARE indeed very “rich in faith” and indeed ARE wholly His “chosen” as the holy “heirs of the kingdom” to come – Kingdom HEIRS!  

The WORTHY Name!

Next “James” aptly ADDRESSES a serious “sin” of despicably “dishonoring” the economically particular “poor man” of “God” by asking TWO more poignant questions:

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

HISTORICAL HINTS: In other words, he says: “You are unbelievably UNLIKE God!” The reticent “rich” people desperately “draw you” before the jaundice “judgment seats” of both caustic civil and religious courts concocted of man. Not only did the “rich” deeply DEPRECIATE human value, they also direly DEPRECIATED the true “faith” found in “Jesus Christ” alone. Incidentally, world HISTORY proves to “us” that the godless ruffian “rich” of this “world” have ALWAYS overtly oppressed the “poor” people. The phrase "by which ye are called" speaks of a personal relationship unto “God” Himself. Therefore, “James” readily REMINDS the bewildered “brethren” that they “received” for themselves the worthy name of “Jesus Christ” alone! It was the godless “rich” people who oppressed them, NOT the “poor” people of “God” granted. And concerning “Jesus Christ” Himself, it was never the “poor” people who OPPRESSED Him. It was always the “rich” and wicked “religious” people – The Pious PRETENDERS!

The ROYAL Law!

Then “James” continues by appropriately APPEALING to the righteous “royal law” of the Sovereign “scripture” by rightly REFERENCING the Divinely first giving and second giving of the “Law” in where we find HIS view of rank “respect to persons” through pertinent partiality and the serious “sin” of fallen foolish favoritism fermented BY maniacal man:

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 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 2:8-11

Here “James” is definitely NOT referring to the phony psychological self-image of humanistic “love” to which plays MIND games and pampers the evil EGO saying: "I'm a WONDERFUL person and I DESERVE it!" Rather, he is referring to the Agape’ lavished “love” given of “God” in the Biblical sense which is always an appropriate ACTION related to meeting the true NEEDS of other people. The righteous “royal law” granted by our great “God” is intentionally NEVER discussed strictly through emotion alone. When the solemn “scriptures” Sovereignly COMMANDS each of “us” to actually "love your neighbor as yourself" it simply refers to meeting the true NEEDS in a verb tense. In other words, to “fulfill” this mandate, “you” must meet these nigh NEEDS in the very same way “you” are meeting – YOUR Own!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The torrid “transgressors” of the “royal law” in shadily “showing partiality” is completely FOREIGN to the eternal character and nature of our great “God” Himself! In fact, the Old Testament itself is replete with excellent EXAMPLES of how God’s people had “become a transgressor of the law” to His great displeasure directed:

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment – Deuteronomy 10:16-18

Incidentally, “James” quotes TWO of the 10 Commandments themselves.

The FIRST is spoken: Do NOT cursedly “commit adultery” taken from chapter 20 of Exodus exalted…

Thou shalt not commit adultery – Exodus 20:14

The SECOND is spoken: Do NOT cursedly “kill” taken from chapter 5 of Deuteronomy dictated…

Thou shalt not kill – Deuteronomy 5:17

These looming “laws of God” are ardently addressing the most SEVERE of social “sins” related to human life. WHY? Because in the Old Testament testimony, our great “God” attached to them the dooming – DEATH Penalty!

Also, when we combine them TOGETHER with these poignant Old Testament passages we have the sum total of the “law and the prophets” provided…

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart – Deuteronomy 6:4-6

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I am the Lord. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord – Leviticus 19:15-18

Therefore, we must “love the Lord thy God“ with ALL of “thine heart“ and with ALL of “thy soul“ and with ALL of “thy soul“ and with ALL of “thy might” as directly – Correctly COMMANDED!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: In fact, “Jesus Christ” Himself in the New Testament also pulled these powerful passages together in His Greatest Commandment found in chapter 22 of Matthew by providing for “us” the “sum” total of “God’s Word” wonderfully willed…

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets – Matthew 22:37-40

The “law” of “God” has NO garnered “grace” granted. WHY? Because it is meant to SHOW us that “we” are lost “sinners” of heart BY birth! And when we “offend in one point” through the breaking of “God’s law” we are “transgressors” doomed for “condemnation” and “judgment” in “eternal hell” heralded. Therefore, we must humbly “come” to our great “God the Father” through His “Only Begotten Son” the Sovereign “Savior” of Whom imparts His provided PERFECT saving “grace” in “us” through “faith” and “repentance” received – NO Grace IN Law!

The provided PERFECTION of our great “God” in His Divine character and nature is magnificently MANIFESTED in the fact that He is absolutely “impartial” to absolutely ALL people. Therefore, “God” treats everyone EQUALLY based upon their desperate need for a “spiritual” rightly realized relationship to Him through “Jesus Christ” alone. And so “James” is insightfully instructing the “brethren” to “love” other people EQUALLY with no partiality regarding their personal status in life. Therefore, these POWERFUL passages outline yet another trying TEST of a given genuine saving “faith” founded by “God” granted as according unto – The ROYAL Law!

Mercy OR Judgment?

Finally, because of the seriousness of these “sins” surmised, “James” closes with an apt APPEAL to dutifully DISCERN the dire danger of our great “God’s” Divine “judgment” juxtaposed:

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment – James 2:12-13

In this congregation there were TRUE bold “believers” who were fulfilling the Sovereign and perfect “royal law” of “God” granted as they chose to surely “speak” and “do” His will. However, there were also PHONY pious “professors” who were continually showing a wrong “respect” of a particular partiality as unqualified UNREPENTANT torrid “transgressors” and slothful “sinners” toward the PERFECT luminating “Law of God.” These false “followers” will be harshly JUDGED by our great “God's Word” warned. Therefore, the true “brethren” must “speak” and “do” as “those” who WILL be justly “judged by the law of liberty” through “Jesus Christ” alone. On the other hand, “judgment without mercy” will be given towards “the one” who has “shown no mercy” in kind – Mercy OR Judgment?

In closing:

A person's education, economic status, social relationships, professional job, personal prestige or earthly honor mean absolutely NOTHING unto our great – GOD Almighty!

The “Apostle Peter” in presenting the “Gospel” of “Jesus Christ” to a Gentile ruler was acknowledging that “God is no respecter of persons” with right reference to His saving “grace” given unto “every nation” and people group:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) – Acts 10:34-36

In other words, “God” is intentionally IMPARTIAL to absolutely anyone in any “nation” who “feareth Him” and dully “worketh righteousness’ in His sight – Accepted BY Him!

The “Apostle Paul” also aptly acknowledged that “God” has “respect of persons” concerning “every soul of man” with particular reference to His judgment:

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God – Romans 2:9-11

In the matter of eternal “judgment” considered, “God” is intentionally IMPARTIAL of persons “Jew” or “Greek” alike. Therefore, “everyone” will be “judged” by “God” purely on the CONDITION of their “soul” in regards to “salvation” eternal – NO Respect of Persons!  

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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