Wednesday, October 17, 2007
James
Teacher 4
Last week we studied True and Pure Religion, True is being a doer of the word, Pure remaining unspotted from this world.
Chapter 2 thru 3rd chapter v12 deals with
The Nature of true Faith:
To avoid discrimination; avoid inactive profession of faith; avoid boastful positions
James Chapter 2
Jas 2:1 ¶ 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?
Respect of persons, now we all might have problems with this after all my granddaughter is….., but this is speaking to us as in the church.
Showing special attention or favoritism toward a person because of wealth or the lack of, showing respect because of clothing or position.
It displeases God.
Where does God look? God looks not on the outward appearance but on the inward appearance.1Sam. 16.7
V4 …. and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Judges of evil thoughts, carries the meaning we have already judged that one is better than the other or more worthy than the other.
Jas 2:5 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?
Jesus declares to us in the Gospels how hard it will be for the rich to enter into the Kingdom, because they trust in their riches instead of trusting in God.
Jesus also declares to us as believers how we should respond to the poor. Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18; 6:20 says:
Often it is the poor in this world who are the richest in faith and spiritual gifts and who in their need cry out most intensely to God in sincere hunger for His presence, mercy, and help.
The rich who place their faith and trust in money will ultimately blaspheme the name of the Lord.
Jas 2:8 ¶ 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.
Avoid discrimination
If we have respect of person we commit sin, you do not have to commit adultery or kill someone to commit sin.
Notice the word LAW in these verses, this refers to Moses law, it is impossible to find victory in the Law, any kind of law. So these verses refers as believers unto the what Paul gave in 2Cor. 5:10 the judgment seat of Christ that we as believers will appear before and give an account according as we have done, good or bad.
Sin can be forgiven but consequences of sin may remain. (I believe it has a reflection on whether a person sinned with knowing or sinned in ignorance.)
Avoid Inactive Profession
Do you know how many members of this church have never attended a Sunday night since I have been here? Do you know how many members have never attended a Wednesday night since I have been here? I have a good ideal, I know some work, and some don’t get out at night, but most do.
Jas 2:14 ¶ What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
My Bible notes: These verses speak of the ever present problem of those in the church who profess to have saving faith in the Lord, yet at the same time show no evidence of sincere devotion to Him and His Word.
Saving faith is always a living faith that does not stop with a mere confession of Christ as Savior, but prompts obedience. Obedience is better, Saving Faith in Jesus is not a profession only, but also an action coming from the heart of a believer who follows after Christ.
On the other hand we must not think that we maintain our salvation by the works we do or our efforts. The grace of God, the indwelling of the HG works in us and enables us by faith to live for God. If we ever cease to be receptive to God’s grace and the leading of the HS we will surely die spiritually. :26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Examples are given of Abraham and Rahab of their faith in God.
