2 Corinthians 5:17

-Walking in Wisdom- A Living Faith (James 2)

6:04 PM



Please read: James 2

As we begin reading today’s scripture James warns us:
“My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people—show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. (James 2:1)
This first verse is where we should stop and consider:
Is this my attitude regarding my family, friends, neighbors, fellow workers... our elderly parents?
How about someone who is not Christian?; or someone who has no education because he is poor; or someone who is an immigrant (different race)?
It may be that apparently we are not looking down at people, but what about the words we say (and the tone we use) to our children, our spouse?

Let’s continue with the following verses:
“ If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality [prejudice, favoritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as offenders. 10 For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.” (2:8-10)

I love how James through these simple words of wisdom, brings conviction to our hearts.
Oh, but James still has something very important to say to us:

“What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] 15 If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? “(2:14-16)

“To fail in the most simple good work towards a brother or sister in need demonstrates that one does not have a living faith, and we can only be saved by a living faith in Jesus.” (David Guzik)

Yes, we must be very receptive to the needs of all of those who are around us. Some people have had fewer opportunities in this life, than most of us. Some people may say that they have what they have, because they have worked hard for it. But does this mean that the rest of the people are lazy?

It is by our testimony –our faith- that many around us are touched and are eager to listen to God’s Word. We must remember:
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Are we really representing Christ to this fallen and needy world?
“So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. “ (2:17)

 A living faith is simply real faith. If we really believe something, we will follow through and act upon it. If we really put our trust and faith on Jesus, we will care for the naked and destitute as He told us to.

 A living faith cannot be separated from works.
 "But James has quite another thing in view, even to shew that he who professes that he has faith, must prove the reality of his faith by his works. Doubtless James did not mean to teach us here the ground on which our hope of salvation ought to rest; and it is this alone that Paul dwells upon." (Calvin)


Works must accompany a genuine faith, because genuine faith will always show the evidence of becoming a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). If there is no evidence of a new life, there was no genuine, saving faith.

 As Charles Spurgeon said: "The grace that does not change my life will not save my soul."
Faith is one of the attributes of the fruit of the spirit, and just as we read in Matthew 3:8:
 “So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]"

May we yield in obedience to His Holy Spirit so that we will produce this living fruit: a living faith.

"Man is not justified by faith alone, that is, by a bare and empty knowledge of God; he is justified by works, that is, his righteousness is known and proved by its fruits." (Calvin)

Blessings,
 Mari


Becky Austin

Mercy Triumphs {James 2}

11:02 PM



We are all unique and different.  We are born into different cultures, have different genetic characteristics, different backgrounds and different personalities, likes and dislikes. Our differences can become a source of division unless we learn to see people as God sees them and look past the differences to love the person for who they are. 
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” V2

I guess I was blessed growing up to have parents and a grandmother who exposed me to being interactive with a wide variety of people in a wide variety of settings and circumstances.  Rich or poor, young or old, black or white or in between.  I learned to see the beauty and value in every face.  I was around people with handicaps, people in nursing homes with dementia, people who were brought up in church and people who were brought up in homes without Christ.  It didn't matter what the circumstance, people were loved for being a human being who deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. I'm thankful for that upbringing and I'm sure that contributed to my desire to be a caregiver and go into the medical field. I try to treat all of my patients with genuine concern and compassion, whether they are a distinguished VIP in society or a homeless drug addict or alcoholic. Sometimes it takes a lot of prayer for Jesus to help me love others, for not all are easy to love.

Jesus taught us by example to minister to people of all walks of life. He called us to extend genuine, nondiscriminatory, unconditional love. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34

James warned the church to be aware of how they treated the people who walked through the door. Even our thoughts towards people can reflect a sinful, judgmental heart. If we shun certain people and show favor toward others, we are being judgmental and unloving - “have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts." (v4) We have to remember that Jesus showed us mercy and expects us to extend that same mercy to others. “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
(V12-13)

James goes on to point out that our true heart desires and motives will be reflected and lived out in how we respond toward others needs. It's not enough to say we believe God's Word if we don't put those beliefs into action. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (V15-17). 

How can we represent Christ to a world in need if we do not become actively involved in the lives of others and try to meet genuine needs? We don't perform "works" to earn brownie points with God or to secure our salvation.  We put our trust in the finished work of Christ and as God begins to transform us into the image of Christ, we will naturally desire to glorify God through our actions.