Traits Of True Christians-2

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...