Category: JAMES

Re:Verse passage – James 2:14-26 (day two) 

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? vs. 15-16

This is perhaps one of the most prevalent of denominational differences that shows itself clearly when talking about what we believe. It’s James vs. Paul, some say. This is a topic that many have written and debated for centuries. Let’s be clear, we believe that we can do nothing to merit salvation. In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul says it this way in regards to the idea of keeping the law: “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:21

Strong words – nothing Christ did was needless, including, and especially the cross. While it may be cut and dried to us about the placement of faith over works; it may not be as clear to others. As we go about considering our response in debate, let me ask this question: what are you doing in the mean time? It’s not enough to be right in this situation. There are hurting people living right next to you. There are needs all around. We may be on the side of faith, but we are compelled to live out that faith in a tangible way. Loving, serving, helping…doing. If we are to be salt and light shouldn’t we be bright and full of flavor?

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day seven)

“Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” vs 5

What must it have been like for James growing up in the same house as Jesus? Did James hear the phrase “Be more like your Brother!” too often? Did James have to listen to the story of the miracle virgin birth at every birthday? Was it jealousy or resentment? Or was Jesus hiding his identity from His brother? Something was off, because John 7:5 states “For not even His brothers were believing in Him.”

He may not have believed in the moment, but James was watching, listening, and internalizing everything Jesus did his whole life. James’ Epistle is full of quotes and teachings from Jesus. This passage of scripture in particular is a reference to the Sermon on the Mount “Blessed are the poor…” But who did James give credit for the quote? God. James was watching!

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day six)

…if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:9

Pastor James clearly teaches that prejudice is a big deal, even if, for all appearances, we have everything else put together.

Crystal clear creek water can still be poisonous if a dead animal is stuck somewhere upstream. Or even the smallest bit of leaven effects the whole loaf. In the same way, it doesn’t matter how squeaky clean we appear to be if prejudice is lodged in the tributaries of our heart.

Here’s the thing, it is easy for us to minimize prejudice when we invest most of our time with people just like us. We can even dismiss it, “Oh, I’m not prejudice; we don’t live in a prejudicial society anymore.” When the reality is, we don’t see it because we avoid it, insulate it or compartmentalize it.

James will not let us get away with that. He says, root it out, no matter how small, or how little space it occupies on the often overlooked storage spaces of your life. We can’t afford not to.

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day five)

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day four)

James is known as a practical application of righteous living.  In verse 8, James refers to the royal law.
The admonition to not show partiality goes back to Levitical law (Leviticus 19:18) as well as Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:19.  Scripture is consistent from Genesis to Revelation…it does not contradict itself.  The amazing quality of the biblical message is that, even though the Bible was written over hundreds of years by multiple writers, the message validates itself.  The truth of the message speaks of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in its authorship.

Do you believe the Word of God?  Do you believe in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit?  James says if you believe in the truth of Scripture, you will obey it.  Your everyday life will reflect the Truth to a lost world…things like not showing partiality.  Love you neighbor as yourself.  Show your faith by your obedience!

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day three)

“Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?”

James’s statement about “the rich” tends to elicit defensive responses claiming that there are some good rich people, too, just as there are some bad poor people. Okay. But that’s not James’s point. Rather, James declares that it’s not the poor who are calling the shots in this world. Behind every war, piece of legislation, rezoning plan, tax policy, banking rule, or economic strategy, there are wealthy decision makers who hold power and who shape the world we find ourselves in – much like wealthy leaders of prosperous nations carving up the Middle East in the 1920’s after the Great War. James doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, per se. The question he puts to the church is, “What system of living with people are you propping up?”

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day two)

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Favoritism, partiality, class distinction…if we are not careful our faith begins to look like keeping up with the Jones’. As I read this passage I was reminded of our call to care for each other. When we begin to create distinctions for who gets care we have lost sight of the gospel. Why is this such a difficult lesson for us to learn? We are called to help those in need. It is the need that should be the catalyst for our help, nothing else.

Re:Verse passage – James 1:19-27 (day seven)

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  vs 19b

We live in a polarized society. There is no doubting that. You feel the tension when you log in to social media. You feel it when you turn on the news. You feel the tension in the break room at work. You may even feel it around the table at family gatherings. No matter who your “Us” is, it feels like it is Us vs Them.

The truth is, it is Us vs Them, but our “Them” is not each other. Rather, our true enemy is “the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Pairing this text with our reverse passage, we need to remind ourselves when we begin to feel this tension, it is time to slow down. The anger we feel is not warranted. Listen to what they have to say. Listen to what the Lord has to say. When you do, you will find peace in knowing that “Them” is not the enemy, and in fact, you might even be on the same team.