James Answers - Chapter 2

JAMES 2     What is James warning against in vs.1? Do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. If we prefer the rich over the poor, what does James say we are guilty of doing? vs. 2-4 We have made distinctions among ourselves, and become judges with evil motives. What did God choose the poor of this world to be? vs. 5 - Name 2 things God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. What are the rich typically guilty of doing? vs.6,7 - Name 3 things oppress you personally drag you into court blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called What is the royal law of the Scriptures? vs. 8 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. What is showing partiality? vs. 9 Showing favourtism. Do you think partiality can be in more ways than between rich and poor? What are other ways that Christians can sometimes show partiality if they are not careful? Even if we could keep the entire law of God, and we fail in one point, what are we guilty of? vs.10,11 Note: This is a good verse to show that we could never earn our way or have a relationship with God based on our own righteousness. We become guilty of all. When we speak and act, what will we be judged by? vs. 12 We will be judged by the law of liberty. How will judgment be for those who have shown no mercy to others? vs. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy. What triumphs over judgment? vs. 13 Mercy triumphs over judgment. Does it do anything to say we have faith if we do not have any works to back up our faith? vs. 14 No, it is no use. What should we do if we know a brother or sister is in need of food or clothing? vs. 15,16 Give them what is necessary for their body. What is faith without works? vs. 17 Faith, if it has no works, is dead. How will James "show you" his faith? vs. 18 I will show you my faith by my works. Who believes that God is one and how do they react to it? vs. 19 The demons also believe, and shudder. If you believe that you can have faith without works, what has James called you? vs. 20 You foolish fellow. How is Abraham an example of faith and work and how they go together? vs.21-23 Abraham our father was justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." What was Abraham called by God? vs. 23 He was called a friend of God. James repeats that "a man is justified by works and not faith alone" (vs.24) ...How does he say that Rahab the harlot had the same kind of faith? vs. 25 Rahab the harlot was also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way. Fill in the blanks from vs.26 - James tells us that just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. As you think through James, chapter 2, we know that we are not saved by works, but it is obvious that we have been saved "unto" the good works that God planned for us to walk in. How will today's reading make an impact on your life? Summarize your thoughts and post a prayer if you like. GET THE FACTS: OBSERVATION: What does the text say? * We must not show favourtism between rich and poor. * Remember, God chose the poor to be rich in faith. * Royal Law: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. * If you show favourtism, you are committing a sin. * Break one law and you're guilty of breaking all. * Speak and act as those to be judged by the Law. * Judgement is merciless to one who shows no mercy.* Mercy triumphs over judgement. * Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. * Faith without works is useless. * Abraham justified by works when he offered his son. * As a result of the works, faith was perfected. * Man is justified by works and not by faith alone. * Rahab the harlot also justified by works. * The body without the spirit is dead. * So also faith without works is dead. POINTS TO PONDER: INTERPRETATION: What does the text mean? James wanted to help us practice God’s Word, so he gave us a simple test. He sent two visitors to a church service, a rich man and a poor man; and he watched to see how they were treated. The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about God! “If a man say, ‘I love God,’ and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20) James reached back into the Old Testament for one of God’s laws, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev. 19:18 ). In His Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus told us that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help (Luke 10:25–37). It is not a matter of geography, but opportunity. The important question is not, “Who is my neighbor?” but “To whom can I be a neighbor?” The question in James 2:14 should read, “Can that kind of faith save him?” What kind? The kind of faith that is never seen in practical works. The answer is no! Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. That kind of faith is dead faith. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). The men and women of faith named in Hebrews 11 were people of action: God spoke and they obeyed. Again, “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; faith is obeying in spite of consequence.” Dynamic faith obeys God and proves itself in daily life and works.  Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 1:26). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. PERSONAL INSIGHTS: APPLICATION: How can I apply this to my life? When visitors come into our churches, we tend to judge them on what we see outwardly rather than what they are inwardly. Dress, color of skin, fashion, and other superficial things carry more weight than the fruit of the Spirit that may be manifest in their lives. We cater to the rich because we hope to get something out of them, and we avoid the poor because they embarrass us. Jesus did not do this, and He cannot approve of it. We are to look at everyone through the eyes of Christ. If the visitor is a Christian, we can accept him because Christ lives in him. If he is not a Christian, we can receive him because Christ died for him.  The basis for relationship with others is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christian love does not mean that I must like a person and agree with him on everything. I may not like his vocabulary or his habits, and I may not want him for an intimate friend. Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me. It is an act of the will, not an emotion that I try to manufacture. The motive is to glorify God. The means is the power of the Spirit within (“for the fruit of the Spirit is love” ). We are not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 2:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

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