Search the Scriptures

James 2:1-17 (English Standard Version) 1/4/09

1My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," 4have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honourable name by which you were called?
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. 9But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Reflection

James condemn the snobbish conduct in verses 2, 3 on these grounds:
We make distinctions between the rich and poor, dishonouring and humiliating the poor when God has chosen them to be rich in faith and heirs of His Kingdom and honouring the rich whom God has humbled.
We judge people on what they wear and possess instead of who they are, people who love God and are loved by God.

Why is partiality a serious sin?
We take the seat of judgement which rightfully belongs to God when we show partiality, especially that which is based on people’s appearance and social status.

We are not set free from obeying God’s law, but are set free to fulfil it.

“Mercy will finally triumph because when the merciless are condemned, the merciful will be forgiven.” Note from "Search the Scriptures" IVP

ESV
James 1:19-27
19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Reflections
What are the possible hindrances and dangers which may prevent God’s word from taking root and bearing fruits in our lives?
• Our unrighteous anger;
• Not putting away sinful deeds and thoughts in our lives;
• Not receiving humbly God’s word - spiritual pride;
• Being hearer and not doers of God’s word – deceiving ourselves;
• Forgetting who we were without Christ – look into the mirror/word and walk away without being effected by it;
• Does not control what we say- gossip, slander and lies.

Meekness is not inactivity.

Jame’s illustration of “Mirror, mirror on the wall” teaches us that we must not fool ourselves by just being hearers and not obeying God’s word that is implanted in our hearts. It will be like looking into the mirror and walked away forgetting what we look like. Else where it is written: "Like a dog who returns to its vomit!" Yuk! Yet that is precisely what we often do - letting sin take control of our lives. Sigh!
God blesses those who humbly accept His word and are doers of His word – the implanted word that has the power to set us free and save our souls.

The control of our tongues is so crucial that James said that without it, our religion is worthless.

We must be champions for the orphans, widows and I trust it includes those who can’t speak for themselves, like people with special needs. It is a command to take care of them without ulterior motives.

James teaches us to refuse letting the worldly (that which is anti God) thinking and attitude corrupt us. Remember the phrase: "Be in the world but not of the world." In Jesus’ words “be the light of the world and the salt of the earth” –be different!

Hearing God's word alone without doing it is self deceiving: James exalts us to put away sinful deeds and thoughts and to receive God's word in humility. The 'putting away' and the recieving must go hand in hand; don't get angry; control our tongues and take care of orphans and widows and the defenceless.

Search the Scriptures: James 1:1-18

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is written to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. Greetings! Faith and Endurance 2 Dear brothers and sisters,* whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. 5 If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do. 9 Christians who are* poor should be glad, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements. 12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. 14 Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. 15 These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights.* Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. 18 In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession.

Reflections:

Verses 2-7,12
Our attitude to trials/troubles should be: Rejoice! Because:
The purpose of trials is: They test our faith and produce endurance which builds our character and make us ready for anything.
The Goal of trials: Know that God blesses those who endure testing patiently, expect a reward for loving God-Crown of Life – whatever that is! (V12)
In trying situation we need wisdom, how can we obtain it?
Ask God for wisdom and believe that He will answer, and do not doubt!

Verses 13-15
The origin of temptation: The lure of our own evil desire/lust.
The inevitable products of yielding to it habitually without repentance: Evil actions/sin and death.

How to avoid being deceived and gain strength to overcome:
Don’t take it as from God. Know that God will not let us be tempted beyond our strength. (1Cor 10:13) Be aware of the consequences of yielding to it. Rely on God,(Prov.3:5,6) ask for wisdom, look for God’s provision for a way of escape (1Cor10:13)
.
Verses 9-11, 16-18
What is God’s will for us? How did He fulfill it?
His will is to make us His children by giving us His true word. We become his children by faith in Jesus, and faith comes from hearing of God's word. (Somewhere in Romans 10 i believe)

You and I who believe and remain in Christ have and will become His choice possession/first fruit!

Rejoice! Rejoice always, even in the midst of trials and temptation!