TRAITS of TRUE CHRISTIANS=II—James 1:26—2:13
James revealed the practical aspects of true Christianity.
True Christianity is both conceptual & inherently tangible & practical.
But...
How is true Christianity manifested?
Previously in James, we saw that....
Tell-tale traits of True Christians are...
1—LIVING BRIDLED(1:26)
2—LIVING HELPLESSLY/Helpfully(1:27a)
3—Living SPOTLESSLY(1:27b)
4— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION(2:1-4).>.>.>.>.>.> 4— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION(2:1-4)
Explanation:(2:1-4)Impartially
:1—“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
The Christians of Jewish tribal descent—representing the twelve tribes of Israel(1:1b)—God’s people,-are counseled in regard to their “Faith.” Faith in Christ can be lived out with partiality, but is an affront to God to do so. Partiality was not a characterization/virtue God intended His Son’s atonement to produce.
Our faith must be that which is immediately subsumed in our Savior’s being 1)Our master to whom we belong(“Lord”) 2)A man who is a living declaration of the focus of our salvation(“Jesus”), 3)The promised Messiah(“Christ”)—who would bring the consolation of Israel from heaven itself, as 3)He is of divine origin(“glory”).
“Hold/Have/Show”—ecw—1) To have, i.e. to hold—1a) To have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as; 2) To have i.e. own, possess—2a) External things such as pertain to property or riches or furniture or utensils or goods or food etc., 2b) Used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship; 3) To hold one’s self or find one’s self so & so, to be in such or such a condition; 4) To hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to.
“Faith”—pistiv—Strong—Persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, Constancy in such profession; by extension, The system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:-- Assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
“Glory”—doxa—1) Opinion, judgment, view; 2) Opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone—2a) In the NT always agood opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, & glory; 3) Splendor, brightness; 4) A most glorious condition, most exalted state.
“Partiality/Favoritism”—proswpolhqia—Strong—Partiality, i.e. favoritism:-- Respect of persons. Thayer—2a) The fault of one who when called on to give judgment has respect of the outward circumstances of man & not to their intrinsic merits, & so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high born, or powerful, to another who does not have these qualities.
:2—“For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, & there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,”
Concrete examples of blatant partiality follow thru :13. James relates a picture of partiality which can occur right in the midst of congregational worship. How ironic that such can occur among God’s people as they worship God, seeking His desire. The concept of this seems more fitting for a Gentile audience than those who have been reared on the word of God & the Law.
Someone may enter the Christian’s “assembly” who outwardly betrays his wealth. Some of these outward signs of wealth are “gold rings” & the wearing of “fine apparel.” The quality of one’s possessions is determined largely by one’s ability.
Likewise, another someone may enter the assembly of believers who outwardly betrays his obvious poverty. The hallmarks of his poverty would also be apparent thru his apparel. The poor man’s would be “filthy clothes” as compared to “fine apparel.” His clothing would reveal a minimal ability or means to even afford minimal comfort for himself.
This inadvertently tells us that the assembly of believers was open & attractive to all. Economic ease & stress, cultural acceptances & taboos —were & are— irrelevant to one’s need for worship & service in Christ. The church of God will do well to practice the same, thru the end of the age.
“Assembly”—sunagwgh—1) A bringing together, gathering (as of fruits), a contracting; 2) In the NT, an assembling together of men, an assembly of men; 3) A synagogue—3a) An assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers & listen to the reading & expositions of the scriptures, 3b) The buildings where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held. According to their derivation, sunagwgh is simply an assembly, a mass of people gathered together. Strong—An assemblage of persons; specifically, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, A Christian church:-- Assembly, congregation, synagogue.
“With gold rings”—crusodaktuliov—Gold ringed, adorned with gold rings.
(CONT...)4— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION(2:1-4)
“Fine”—lamprov—1) Shining—1a) brilliant, 1b) Clear, transparent; 2) Splendid, magnificent—2a) Splendid things i.e. luxuries or elegancies in dress or style.
“Apparel/Clothes”2X—esyhv—Clothing, raiment, apparel. Strong—from ennumi (to clothe); Dress:-- Apparel, clothing, raiment, robe.
“Poor”—ptwcov—1) Reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; 2) Destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor; 3) Lacking in anything. One who only obtains his living by begging. Strong—To crouch; A beggar (as cringing), i.e. Pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy(relying solely on alms), although also used in a qualified or relative sense; literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed):-- Beggar(-ly), poor.
“Filthy”—ruparov—1) To be dirty, grow filthy; 2) metaph. To be defiled with iniquity.
:3—“& you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes & say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” & say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,””
These two people from—& representing—extreme opposite ends of the economic spectrum come together in Christ, yet the wealthy one quite possibly will receive more “attention” than the poor one. This would play out very quickly & practically in his being offered a “good place” to sit. People who are appreciated for whatever reason are seemingly given preference. the word “here” implies being catered to personally—being led to the seat.
In contrast, the poor man could be disdained(filthy) & thus instructed to “stand” rather than sit. He would have even been shown an area to which he would have to be pointed to & to go to himself. In fact he may even be told to sit at the footstool of his host. This would be even more demeaning & demoralizing than standing as it would seat him on the bare floor—no comfort sought for him— making him appear as a slave(property) which he is not.
This also tells us that in an assembly of believers, there were places to sit. Beyond that there were places to sit which were definitely better than others—more comfortable, more accessible, more noticeable/unmistakable/prominent/visible, more desirable.
This also informs us that Christian assemblies were very possibly full of people & that these very probably did not have to be begged to join in worship. Thus we must never compromise spiritual truth to cater to flesh for the sake of numbers. Anyone of this mentality has reached a sad state spiritually!
1Sam. 16:7—“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.””
“Pay attention/Have respect/Pay special attention/Show special attention”—epiblepw—1) To turn the eyes upon, to look upon, gaze upon; 2)To look up to, regard; 3) To have regard for, to regard. Strong—To gaze at (with favor, pity or partiality):-- Look upon, regard, have respect to.
“Good place”—kalwv—1) Beautifully, finely, excellently, well. Strong—Well (usually morally):-- (in a) Good (place), honestly, + recover, (full) well.
“Stand”—isthmi—1) To cause or make to stand, to place, put, set. 2)Stand. (CONT...)4— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION(2:1-4)
:4—“have you not shown partiality among yourselves, & become judges with evil thoughts?”
This statement is a summarization of the above actions & reveals to us that such behavior is an expression of “partiality” that has become accepted even among the church. By the phrasing of this statement, James is chiding his audience for being so blinded to their actions that they cannot see sin when it is apparent to corporately. This is something the audience should readily see in themselves.
Such partial actions within the Church of God(or anywhere for that matter), reveals the state of the heart to be judgmental. Judgmental actions are the result of personally “evil” ruminations within our own thought processes. Thus the church’s(one’s) heart has deceived her(1:22).
“Shown partiality/Made distinctions/Discriminated”—diakrinw—1) To separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer; 2) To learn by discrimination, to try, decide—2a) To determine, give judgment, decide a dispute;3) To withdraw from one, desert; 4) To separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend; 5) To be at variance with one’s self, hesitate, doubt.
“Judges”—krithv— One who passes or arrogates to himself, judgment on anything. Gives prominence to the mental process, whether the judge is a magistrate or not. Strong—A judge (genitive case or specially):-- Judge.
“Evil”—ponhrov—1) Full of labors, annoyances, hardships—1a) Pressed & harassed by labors, 1b) Bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith & steadfastness; causing pain & trouble; 2) Bad, of a bad nature or condition. A word at once stronger & more active, it means mischief-making, delighting in injury, doing evil to others, dangerous, destructive. Strong—Hurtful, i.e. Evil (properly, in effect or influence; figuratively, Calamitous; also (passively) Ill, i.e. Diseased; but especially (morally) Culpable, i.e. Derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) Sinners:-- Bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness).
“Thoughts”—dialogismov—1) The thinking of a man deliberating with himself—1a) A thought, inward reasoning, 1b) Purpose, design; 2) A deliberating, questioning about what is true. Strong—Discussion, i.e. (internal) Consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) Debate:-- Dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
The fact is, your relationship to Christ passes beyond any political, geographical, racial, creedal boundaries. It sees no distinction made by men.
Argumentation:
Job 34:17-19—Elihu to Job—“Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.”
Ps. 109:30-31—“I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him.”
Mat. 7:1-5—““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; & with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; & look, a plank is in your own eye? “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, & then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Jn. 7:24—““Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.””
Illustration:
This past week, we held local & state elections/Many judges were up for election & re-election/The overriding character of a judge is to be impartial—to make determinations without prejudice/Many we don’t really know if they are impartial or not/In order to be completely fair, they must...LIVE DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION
Application:
?You convicted & guided by the principle of a LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION?
?You a True Christian?
5— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING ACTUALLY(2:5-7).>.>.>.>.>.>.> 5— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING ACTUALLY(2:5-7)
Explanation:(2:5-7) Reality/by Reason in Faith
2:55—“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith & heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
James makes a statement thru a rhetorical question effectively putting it to the responsibility his audience.
God has indeed “chosen” those who are not(in the eyes of the world), to unseemingly be “rich.” Their richness is centered “in faith.” Therefore they are also by grace, the undeserving “heirs” “of the kingdom” of God. This is “promised” to those who, in actuality, “love Him.” Their love for God in Christ, is signified by the exercise of faith in the One they love. & thus is my/your love a sign of my/your faith.
2Cor. 8:9—“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
Heb. 5:9—“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”
We will not obey Christ Jesus if we do not love & thus respect Him.
:6—“But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you & drag you into the courts?”
Treating a poor person as a 2nd-class citizen, simply because he is poor, is a personal insult & “dishonor” to his dignity as a special creation in God’s image(Gen. 1:26-27). It is a total disregard for his status before God as wealthy beyond comparison, via his faith.
To make it worse, the “rich” are the very ones who have the means & even employ it to destroy Christ’s work in the world. They do this by their determination to “drag” the powerless “into the courts.” This is an expression of their desire rather than God’s.
It is the Christian who has dishonored the poor man. James then places his Christian audience in the very place of the poor man thru his referring to them as “you.” Thus Christians & poor are considered the same in the eyes of the rich oppressor, whether or not they are economic equals.
Thus to give deference to the rich is ironic at best. Honoring secular position & secular/worldly power is a “dishonorable” stance for any church of God, particularly during an open Christian assembly.
2Cor. 10:4-11—“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, & being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification & not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- lest I seem to terrify you by letters. “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty & powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, & his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.”
Authority must be used as a helpful tool & not a weapon!
Likewise we must never abuse our authority as Christians!
“Dishonored”—atimazw—1) To dishonor, insult, treat with contempt—1a) Whether in word, deed or thought. Strong—To render infamous, i.e. (by implication) Contemn or maltreat:-- Despise, dishonor, suffer shame, entreat shamefully.
“Oppress”—katadunasteuw—1) To exercise harsh control over one, to use one’s power against one; 2) To oppress one. Used 2X. From—dunasthv—1) A prince, a potentate; 2) A courtier, high officer, royal minister of great authority.
“Drag”—elkuw—1) To draw, drag off; 2) metaph., To draw by inward power, lead, impel. Strong—To drag (literally or figuratively):-- Draw.
“Courts”—krithrion—1) The instrument or means of trying or judging anything; 2) The place where judgment is given; 3) The matter judged, thing to be decided, suit, case. Strong—A rule of judging ("criterion"), i.e. (by implication) A tribunal:-- To judge, judgment (seat).
(CONT...)5— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING ACTUALLY(2:5-7)
:7—“Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?”
Evidently the rich, to whom James refers, enter Christian assemblies as unbelievers & for no other reason than to find fault & discredit the believer’s God. These “rich” take advantage of the poor by virtue of their position & monetary power. These very people are reproachful of that beautiful & good name of God in Christ. But it is by this lovely name also that all Christians are granted our true & spiritual status. The nobility belongs to Christ & all Christians share in that beauty & goodness by virtue of His calling us His children & friends.
Why would any local church indulge/accommodate anyone of worldly status when they have arrived at that status by worldly workings means rather than by godly measures? $$$$!
Money is a great slave but is a horrible master!
“Blaspheme”—blasfhmew—1) To speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; 2) To be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at. Strong—To vilify; specially, to speak impiously:-- (speak) Blaspheme(-er, -mously, -my), defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.
“Noble” (See :8—“Well”)—kalov—) Beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable. Strong—properly, Beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) Good (literally or morally), i.e. Valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use:-- X Better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.
“Called”—epikaleomai—1) To put a name upon, to surname; 2) To be named after someone; 3) To call something to one; 4) To invoke; 5) To call upon by pronouncing the name of Jehovah. Strong—To Entitle; by implication, To Invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.):-- Appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.
Argumentation:
Jn. 15:12-17—““This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you & appointed you that you should go & bear fruit, & that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.”
We will “bear fruit” only if you have an actual love for God in Christ.
Mat. 5:37—““But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
Illustration:
Little kid/Back in the 50‘s/Watches Clark Kent turn into Superman on TV/Superman ‘faster than a speeding bullet’/Kid opens his window on the second story & faces the reality of his not being Superman/Superman is also ‘More powerful than a locomotive’/One trip to the Spencer Shops train museum will convince him otherwise/LIVING ACTUALLY
We live in an age where much of our society feels a need to have this-that-&-the-other-thing in the church/To have all the gadgets & gizmos of popular culture/But then the reality is there/LIVING ACTUALLY
Farmers/Real living/Honest day’s work/Make no pretenses/Not caught up in pretenses of ‘city life’/LIVING ACTUALLY
Political decisions wrongly made by what they can get out of the govt./These same politicos take away our freedoms/LIVING ACTUALLY
Practice what I preach/Don’t say one thing on Sunday & live something else at home/LIVING ACTUALLY
Application:
?You convicted & guided by the principle of LIVING ACTUALLY?
?You a True Christian?
6— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING BEYOND LAW(2:8-13).>.>.>.>.>.>.> 6— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING BEYOND LAW(2:8-13)
Explanation:(2:8-13)
:8—“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;”
To love one’s neighbor as himself is considered the Royal law & is presented in Scripture first in Lev. 19:18—“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”—& by Jesus as the 2nd greatest commandment(Mk. 12:30-31) but so closely related to the first(to love God) as to be one with it.
“Really/However”—mentoi—But yet, nevertheless, howbeit. Strong—Indeed though, i.e. However:-- Also, but, howbeit, nevertheless, yet.
“Fulfill”—telew—1) To bring to a close, to finish, to end; 2) To perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.); 3) To pay. Strong—To end, ie. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):-- Accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
“Royal”—basilikov—1) Of or belong to a king, kingly, royal, regal; 2) Subject to a king; 3) Befitting or worthy of a king, royal; 4) metaph. Principal, chief.
“Do”(See :12, 13—“Shown”)—poiew—Strong—To make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Well”(See :7—“Noble”)—kalwv—Beautifully, finely, excellently, well.
:9—“but if you show partiality, you commit sin, & are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
Prejudice is the principle guiding all of the practical & rhetorical instruction & discussion.
*Blatantly....a heart & its corresponding action of “partiality” completely misses the mark set by God’s desire for His people. And as such, anyone practicing partiality is faulted as breaking God’s Law of loving one’s neighbor as himself(:8).
“Show partiality/Have respect of persons/Show favoritism”—proswpolhptew—1) To respect the person (i.e. the external condition of man); 2) To have respect of persons, discriminate. From two words meaning ‘to take hold of the face.’
“Commit”—ergazomai—1) To work, labor, do work; 2) To trade, to make gains by trading, "do business"; 3) To do, work out; 4) To work for, earn by working, to acquire.
“Sin”—amartia—Meant originally the missing of a mark. When applied to moral things the idea is similar, it is missing the true end of life, & so it is used as a general term for sin. It means both the act of sinning & the result, the sin itself. Strong—A sin (properly abstract):-- offence, sin(-ful).
“Convicted”—elegcw—1) To convict, refute, confute; 2) To find fault with, correct. Strong—To confute, admonish:-- Convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.
“Transgressors”(See :11)—parabathv—1) A transgressor; 2) A lawbreaker. Strong—A violator:-- Breaker, transgress(-or).
(CONT...)6— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING BEYOND LAW(2:8-13)
:10—“For whoever shall keep the whole law, & yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
The quantity rather than the quality of sin is what condemns us. & that which is the focus of James’ argument. Conviction is conviction no matter where it takes place because sin is sin regardless of the degree of its damage.
Many take the degree of their sin lightly , saying, ‘All sin is sin to God.’ This is a fleshly attempt to remove personal guilt & responsibility for past or present sin.
“Keep”( See 1:27)—threw—To attend to carefully, take care of. Expresses watchful care & is suggestive of present possession.
“Whole”—olov—All, whole, completely.
“Stumble”—ptaiw—1) To cause one to stumble or fall; 2) To stumble—2a) To err, make a mistake, to sin, 2b) To fall into misery, become wretched. Strong—To trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation):-- Fall, offend, stumble. Used 5X.
“Become”——1) To become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being; 2) To become, i.e. to come to pass, happen; 3) To arise, appear in history, come upon the stage; 4) To be made, finished; 5) To become, be made. Strong—To cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) To become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
“Guilty”—enocov—1) Bound, under obligation, subject to, liable. Strong—Liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation):-- In danger of, guilty of, subject to.
:11—“For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”
In speaking of law, two commandments are mentioned, which are on opposite ends of the extreme in most people’s minds. Both of the committers(the adulterer & the murderer) have committed sin regardless of the reach/heinousness of that particular sin.
All sin is like every other sin in God’s eyes—but only in regard to its preventing us from living in His pure sinless/holy presence. Therefore even one sin, no matter its seeming harmlessness/innocuousness, warrants us hell.
“Transgressors”(See :9)—parabathv—1) A transgressor; 2) A lawbreaker. Strong—A violator:-- Breaker, transgress(-or).
:12—“So speak & so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
Judgment is a final decisive determination by the One in authority over you.
This “law of liberty” is the Good News of God’s saving grace thru faith in Jesus Christ. That which truly brings about a transformation to a new creature thru the new birth.
Thus to conclude his argument begun in 1:22, James relates that the Christian’s speech is to match their religion. That is, the Christian’s religion is to be that which is lived out in the power of his being “judged” by that very “law of liberty”(1:25) one possesses in having Christ as Savior in actuality.
“So”2X—outwv—In this manner, thus, so. Strong—In this way (referring to what precedes or follows):-- after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
“Speak”—lalew—Strong—To talk, i.e. Utter words:-- Preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.
“Do”(See :8, 13)—poiew—Strong—To make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Judged”—krinw—V.—Strong—properly, to Distinguish, i.e. Decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to Try, condemn, punish:-- Avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
(CONT...)6— A tell-tale trait of True Christians is...
LIVING BEYOND LAW(2:8-13)
:13—“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
We know that judgment comes to a lawbreaker without mercy, as the law itself exists for those who have willfully chosen to be lawless(1Tim. 1:8-11)...thus giving those within law, power/authority over the lawless. Judgment itself, being rightly without mercy, cannot destroy Christians as we are judged by the law of liberty(1:25, 2:12)—Grace thru faith in Christ—with its freedom of conscience & heart to serve God aside from law.
1Tim 1:8-11—“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless & insubordinate, for the ungodly & for sinners, for the unholy & profane, for murderers of fathers & murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, & if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.”
Judgment is particularly focused upon that person or persons who show(s) no mercy to others. Because of this fact, “mercy” truly exults against “judgment.”
“Judgment”—krisiv—N.f.—Strong—Decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, A tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):-- Accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
“Without mercy/Merciless”—anilewv—Without mercy, merciless. Strong—Inexorable:-- Without mercy.
“Shown”(See :8, 13— “Do”)—poiew—Strong—To make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Mercy”—eleov— Mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable & the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. Strong—Compassion (human or divine, especially active):-- (+ tender) mercy.
“Triumphs”—katakaucaomai—To glory against, to exult over, to boast one’s self to the injury (of a person or thing). Strong—To exult against (i.e. over):-- Boast (against), glory, rejoice against. Used 4X.
Argumentation:
Mat. 5:19-22, 27-30—““Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, & teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does & teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes & Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, & whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”....“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out & cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off & cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
How can we effectively do this physically?...it is impossible! But we can turn our flesh over to the control of God in His Spirit within us & thus LIVE BEYOND LAW!
1Jn. 5:18-21—“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, & the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, & the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come & has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; & we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God & eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
Gal. 2:16—““knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ & not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
Illustration:
Property boundaries/Do you Push the limits of the law OR satisfied that the law is encompassed within the love of Christ & is inconsequential/
Kleenex box to the East Rowan football game/I had to leave to get Miller in the gate & left the tissues/Came back & the lady behind us apologetically admitted to taking a tissue/I graciously saw fit to offer her more/Law, unmercifully wielded, would have demanded she ‘pay the price’ for her ‘thievery.’/LIVING BEYOND LAW
Application:
?You convicted & guided by the principle of LIVING BEYOND LAW?
?You a True Christian?
CONCLUSION:.>.>.>.>.>.>.> CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Action:
Tell-tale traits of True Christians are...
4. LIVING DISTINCTLY With INDISTINCTION(2:1-4)
5. LIVING ACTUALLY(2:5-7)
6. LIVING BEYOND LAW(2:8-13)
1. LIVING BRIDLED(1:26)
2. LIVING HELPLESSLY/Helpfully(1:27a)
3. Living SPOTLESSLY(1:27b)
Presented 11/07/2010pm to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
