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| JAMES LESSON #39 There is much controversy over the second chapter of James. It is so important that you keep all that is given in this chapter in context. I want to go through some notes in review to place you into context. James is about a faith that is real � a faith that �works.� James shows us the relationship of works to faith. The Greek word for �faith� is �pistis.� The verb, �to believe� is �pisteuo.� When you look at the Greek word forms you can see that �faith and belief� are the same thing. A correct definition for �faith� would be: a firm conviction � or a firm persuasion.� When you are really convicted about something you will �live� that way. There are three elements to faith: 1) a firm conviction or firm persuasion (this is based on knowledge) 2) a surrender to that knowledge (this is based on trust 3) conduct that is appropriate to that surrender � or/ conduct that is inspired by the surrender (this is based on obedience) True faith has �EVIDENCE� to it: In chapter 2, James shows us that true faith does not show �personal favoritism.� Read James 2:1-7. An example of favoritism would be that you look down on a man because he�s poor and up to a man because he�s rich � or, you begin to divide your love and attention toward people by how they treat you � In James 2:8, James shows us that true faith lives by the �royal law� rather than by partiality. What�s that? The �royal law� = �you will love your neighbor as yourself.� Read on down through verse 12. In verse 12 James shows us that true faith speaks and acts by the law of liberty. We already discussed that the law of liberty is God�s Word. In James 1:25 James explains that the �perfect law� doesn�t constrain because it�s truth � and truth, sets you free. He�s saying that the Bible that we carry is a law of �liberty� � not chains of �restraint.� We�re to abide (live in, dwell in) that law of liberty. If you �abide� by that law you are not just a hearer, but an �effectual doer � so your faith is proven to be real � Why? Because your LIFE shows WORKS that prove the reality of your faith. James 2:13 � If I am truly born again I will be merciful-I will treat people properly-I will not treat them with partiality � I will love them the way I ought to love them. In James 1:1-12 James shows us that WE are perfected by trials. In James 1:19-2 on, James shows us that FAITH is perfected by works and that works are the fulfillment of our faith. James uses the word �perfected� all the way through the second chapter. James 1:4 says we are to be �perfect.� James 1:17 says �Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of light.� James 1:25 says that the �perfect law is complete.� James 2:22 talks about a completed and �perfected� faith. James uses the word �perfect� over and over. So � in review, James opens with trials that perfect us and then moves to faith that is perfected by works. READ all of James 2:1-8 After verse 4- He�s saying here, �Don�t have a faith that leans one way or another � toward the rich � or toward the poor. Have a faith that fulfills the �Royal Law.� Read on down through verse 8. What is the �Royal Law?� 1) Love your neighbor as yourself: (What two commandments do all the laws of the prophets hang on? A) Love God with all your heart, soul and might B) Love your neighbor as yourself. If I have faith in Jesus Christ I must fulfill the �Royal Law.� Read verses 8-9: Can I be a Christian and live against the Law? Well � I�m saved by grace and not by law right? I�m saved by �faith� � not by �works� right? So � can�t I �say� I believe � and then do whatever I want? No No No- How do you know that for sure? There�s a lot of people who go to the altar, ask for forgiveness and get up and go out and live just like they lived before. We already talked about �repentance� � If I�m not �saved� by the law � (the rules and regs) then, is it evil? What�s it good for? No � Romans tells us that there is nothing wrong with the law: the problem is with me. Jesus says in Matthew 5 in the sermon on the mount that He didn�t come to do away with the law, He came to fulfill it. SO- Being a Christian does not mean I can be lawless. Being a Christian means that I now have the ABILITY to fulfill the law � to live correctly � to say no and turn and walk away � because the Spirit of God lives inside me. If I show �partiality� am I am not fulfilling the law � Why? Because in John 3:16 God says that He loves ALL men- White, Black, Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, rich, poor � one�s with tatoos and Harleys, and ones with white gloves and china dolls. �Ones with 25 earrings and a pierced tongue, and one that wears no makeup and pastes memory verses on her mirrors. God loves ALL men. When God has stuff He wants to do � WHO does He choose? Look at I Corinthians 1:26-31 Read it-The word �calling� in the Greek is: klesis: and it means: (A call or an invitation to a banquet. It�s a call or an invitation to the kingdom of God and its privileges. God�s invitation to man to accept the benefits of His salvation is what this �calling� is all about. God�s call is heard by all so that none may one day have the excuse that they did not hear the call and that is why they did not repent. Those who believe on Him and accept His "�call" are truly saved. The calling is �not of works� but of the sovereign grace of God. The call is �IN CHRIST.� ) In verse 30 circle the word �BUT� and then double circle the words �HIS DOING� � there you see the �IN HIM� we�ve been talking about. The �joint effort� on His end is revealed in that verse. These, are who God chooses. All throughout the book of James he talks about the �rich and the poor.� Remember in James 1 that James talks about the rich- how they are to rejoice in humility because in it they will see that they can not survive on the riches they have � and in reference to the poor- that they should rejoice because they know God. In James 2 he talks about showing partiality between the rich and the poor. That was a BIG problem in those days. It was such a big problem that in those days they would go to the store and rent rings and clothes. In that society what they wore and how they looked determined position and respect. (Sounds familiar doesn�t it?) God said in James, �Don�t do that!� You belong to Me now. Prove your faith. Don�t have a faith that�s worthless. A real religion LOVES. GET THAT. It doesn�t just love the poor � it also loves the rich. It is not a respecter of persons. Some honor the poor over the rich because they figure the rich have it all. Some of the most hollow, empty, broken people I know �have it all in terms of stuff� � and live behind walls � because society has placed such expectations on them that to step out and be vulnerable could end up being very destructive. The �Royal Law� says I am to love you the way I love myself � I am to honor you the way I would want to be honored. The �Royal Law� says I am to love and honor you � Not what you DO or DO NOT HAVE � or DO OR DON�T DO FOR ME. This is a big deal. Do you want to be loved because of the way you look � or because of what you do or don�t have � or because of who you are? If you are walking in genuine faith you will not show partiality. Turn to Galatians 5:6. In James who is he talking to? Jews. Would they be circumcised or uncircumcised? Circumcised. Here, God is saying, your religious practices really don�t mean a thing-what is real is a faith working through love. Man oh man oh man..do we ever miss that point. I can not tell you how many people in church leadership are burned out because everything they �do� is out of �duty� rather than out of �love.� Examples: teaching a class in church � is it done in love � or because it makes me feel like a spiritual somebody? -visit someone in the hospital- is it done in love and concern � or so that I have one more spiritual notch on my belt? Offering in the plate � given in deep love and gratitude? � or is it done because somebody told me I�m supposed to � or because I feel guilty if I don�t? If you want to do a check on your �religion� � look at what you�re doing and ask yourself why you�re doing it. The answer will be a clarification for your heart. �Religion� without �love� is one of the highest indicators that �faith� in that picture is not �real.� Why? Can you really �love� outside of a relationship with God? More tomorrow! You are �loved.� Robin �copyright 2001 Jim and Robin Hibschman |
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