JAMES CHAPTER 2 --------- Brotherly Love

Read along in your Bible while listening to James chapter 2

Note: (Nr.) is link to verse online - internet required.

INTRODUCTION

Jude devotes this part of his letter to testing.     In General the purpose of tests vary. In the academic world tests are administered to gage the progress of a student.  Ideas, hypothesis’, and plans are tested to gage their worth.  Love is also tested to find its depth.

Jude asks 10 questions in chapter two.  No one likes tests. So why did Jude ask so many rhetorical questions in this chapter?

I believe these questions were meant to cause the ready to think and perhaps look deep within himself.

OUTLINE
CHAPTER 2

Respecting others………………………………………………..1-7

The royal law ……….……………………………………………8-13

Faith and works ……..………………………………………..14-26

CHAPTER TWO Verses 1-7
Respecting Others

1  My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.  2  For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3  and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?  5  Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?  6  But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?  7  Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

*We will now discuss each of these verses separately.

  (1)  We who are children of God have received the gift of salvation not for anything we have done, but rather that we were predestined (Pre-known) before the foundation of the world.  A gift given to us by grace should not be hoarded and shared with only those who you happen to like.  Jesus treated all who came to Him the same, with no partiality given to any.  In God’s eyes all who have accepted His Son are seen through the blood of Jesus and therefore spotless and equal, none being better than the other.  When greeting a brother or sister in Christ we too should see them as God sees them; equal in every respect. 

Our testimony becomes tarnished if we fall into a click.  No church is immune from clicks.  Those people who have more in common with each other tend to gather together and fellowship more, or may socialize with the other members of the click exclusively.

(2-4)  A.B. Simpson ; is the founder of the Christian and missionary alliance church.  Simpson pastored a large Presbyterian church in New York.  He met with great resistance from his church leaders, because he was inviting immigrants into the church. He was deeply convicted by the Holy Spirit to minister to the immigrants; who were pouring into NYC.  He believed there should be no partiality in the church.  Because he could not convince the church of the error of there ways, he resigned from the church and formed the C&MA.

Rather than take an accusatory approach, James decided he would illustrate Christ like behavior through a story.  His story illustrates giving preferential treatment of one person over another, for any reason was wrong.  There were not a great many people guilty of giving preferential treatment, but even a few was far too many.  Once a seed is planted it must be nurtured to come to life and if weeds (sin) are not plucked out, these weeds/sins will take over the entire garden.

The very act of preferential treatment, in your heart or actions establishes yourself as judge and jury.  James goes further and states those that do this do so for selfish reasons.  Often times we see people put others down just to make themselves look and feel better.

(6 & 7 )  James, showing his love and concern for the wellbeing of the church, felt it necessary to stress the importance of non-partiality. 

Jesus ministered to all who would listen.  Jesus did not come to save only the righteous but rather all who were lost, which included both rich and poor.  Jesus spent the majority of the time witnessing to the poor.    Jesus knew the poor had great needs while the rich, having much in earthly possessions, had fewer needs, and would not hear the truth (Mark 10:25 ). 

Ian Mackervoy writes: “God chose those whom people in the world consider poor to be rich in faith. God has not limited his choice to poor people, but they have been his first choice.” 

Why did Mackervoy say the poor was God’s first choice?

We will see the answer in the next few verses.

The Royal Law
verses 8-13

adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  13  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 8   If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.  9  But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  10  For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.  11  For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit

  What is the Royal Law?

(8)  This is called the Royal Law because of its originator, Jesus.  Laws are usually given to keep people from doing certain things.  God’s Royal Law is different in that it tells people what God expects from us.  Jesus gave us this law which was recorded as follows: John 13:34, which says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” When a person loves another they do not put themselves above that person, nor do they draw judgements about the one they love.  This new commandment Jesus gave became part of the Law of God. 

(9 & 10 )   There is a saying that respect is earned; and this is correct.  However James is talking about basic respect here, which is due all people.  We are all equal in God’s eyes one no better than another.  God does not say I prefer this one because he gives more money than that one.  Consider the story of the poor widow and what Jesus taught (Mark 12:41-42).

God’s Law in its entirety must be obeyed.  Anyone who violates any portion of the law violates the entire law.

(11)  We have spoken of the law of love.  This law is one section of God’s law.  When people think of God’s law the Ten Commandments come to mind; and rightfully so, however the Ten Commandments are only part of God’s Law. Many people forget Jesus’s commandment to love one another which is part of God’s law.  To violate any part of God’s law is a sin and carries the same punishment.

What is the law of freedom? 

(12) The law of liberty/freedom is the law of God.  In following God’s law we are set free from sin and the resulting judgement of that sin.

(13)  James is telling his readers of the seriousness of violating any part of God’s law.  For those who do not follow God’s law the judgement will be severe.  To those who gave no mercy, none shall be given.  The Law of love will be satisfied by those who show mercy.

We are not to stand in judgement of others, but rather show compassion and mercy.  Judgement has been given only to Jesus (John 5:27; Luke 1: 37).   God has forgiven those who have accepted Jesus.  Jesus purchased our freedom with His own blood; we did not deserve mercy.  However He gave us mercy because of His love. 

Faith and works

14  What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?  15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?  17  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.   18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  19  You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?  21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?  22  You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.  24  You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 

(14)  Faith is based in love.  If we do not have love for one another; our faith is hollow and is without substance.  The proof of our faith in our belief in Jesus as Lord and Messiah is shown by our works.  Jesus showed us His love on Calvary.  This agape love is shown through our works. (John 3:16, 13:35, 17:23; Matthew 25: 34-40) .

(15, 16)  As humans we have five basic needs; food, water, clothing shelter, and most importantly a Spiritual need.  These basic needs fall into the category of urgent needs.  Physical needs must be met to sustain the body.  Our spiritual need, that is to know and draw closer to Jesus, must be satisfied to complete us as children of God.

Do I give money to beggars who appear in need, but maybe panhandling in order to buy drugs?

This is a question you will not be able to answer on your own.  Therefore If you have the resources, and the Holy Spirit moves you to give do so. 

All questions should be ready to provide the information needed for a person to fulfill their spiritual need.  The Christian who has the means to furnish these five needs and does not, has failed to obey the Royal Law (John 14:21). 

(17,18)  James is telling his readers to bring their faith to life with works in accordance with the Royal Law.  Without works your faith is dead serving only you.  Faith that is expressed through action is shared to all who receive, and or witness your faith through your deeds.

Johann A. Bengel writes: “Faith" is said to be "dead in itself," because when it has works it is alive, and it is discerned to be so, not in respect to its works, but in respect to itself.”

(19)  There is but one God.  Other references to monotheism are found in: Malachi 2:10, I Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6.  In John 10:30  Jesus states: “I and the Father are one.”   Which identifies Him as God.  The belief in monotheism (the belief in one God) was begun with the Jews, and later adopted by thee Christians.  The difference being Christians believe, as John did, that Jesus and the Father are one, whereas Jews do not. Lucifer and his demons all believe in one God, and believed Jesus to be the Son of God (Mark 3:11).  Demons fear even the name of Jesus because they know He has power over them.  Believing in the existence of God does not by itself save you.  Salvation only comes in the acceptance of Jesus as the perfect Lamb of God; who was slain to set the world free from sin.

(20) James begins this verse with a question, “are you willing to be instructed?” When speaking of faith James is not just considering the basic definition of faith “…the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrew 11:1) but rather a broader definition.  In this broad definition the apostle Paul writes:   “For in it (faith)the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith (Romans 1:17)”.  Paul, probably quoting Habakkuk 2:4, is telling his readers in Rome; by putting their faith into practice they become living testimonies of Gods righteousness.  I believe James had this same quote in mind when he wrote this passage.  James continues his plea in verse 21.

(21) God put Abraham to the test, asking him to sacrifice his only son (a foreshadowing of Jesus’s sacrifice).  God knew how much Abraham loved Him and the depths of his faith.  The test was for Abraham and his sons sake.  To show Abraham that God would provide.  The test also showed Isaac that his faith in his father was justified by his father’s faith in God.

As Christians our faith must be tested from time to time for the same reasons that Abrahams faith was tested.  

(23)  James is quoting Genesis 15:6 in saying Abraham was righteous with God, in that he believed in God and His promise to him.  Abraham, by faith, obeyed God and set fourth for the land he was promised; not knowing anything about this land.

In this verse we see the phrase “ and it was reckoned”.  This phrase in Greek is chashab khaw-shab'  which has several meanings, however the meaning most significant here is regard or valued.   God valued Abraham acceptance of God’s love, and because of this love Abraham had faith in God and His promise.  Abraham did not earn, nor could he have earned Gods love; His love was given to him by grace. 

(24)  Knowing what faith is, and its origin, and by Abrahams example, we can now see faith must produce works to be righteous.  Failure to put your faith into works avails nothing; whereas works of faith yields the blessings of God fulfilled in your life.

25  In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?  26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

*Click on link If you are not familiar with the Harlot Rahab.

 The word justified was translated from the Greek: dikaioo dik-ah-yo'-o from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous.

We read in  Hebrews 11:31 “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”  

Now Rahab was a harlot (a sinner by her actions).  However   she obeyed the word of God as given to her through Joshua’s spies .  We see an example of faith, in the story of Rahab; faith put into action.  Because of her demonstration of faith she was saved from death.  Had Rahab not believed in what the spies told her, and failed to have faith she would have perished along with all the residence of the city.  We do not know if she was forgiven of her sins, only that she was not killed. 

Just as a body is dead if it does not have a spirit, so also is faith dead, if it has no love producing works (Galatians 5:6 ).