James 2:8-13

James continues dealing with partiality

James 2:8–9 KJV 1900

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Royal = major law - king of all laws

Matthew 22:34–40 KJV 1900

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The 10 commandments are summed up into two commandments. 1- 4 deal with God; 5 is the connection; 6-10 deal with our neighbor as ourselves

Romans 13:8–10 KJV 1900

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Verse 9 shows that showing partiality is not only wrong but a sin.

Convinced of the law = convicted of the law

This is why partiality even in obedience is sin

James 2:10–11 KJV 1900

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

We can’t pick and choose what we do or don’t do as it comes to serving

How to operate as one seeking mercy

James 2:12–13 KJV 1900

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

We will all be judged

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 5:7 KJV 1900

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Merciful = compassionate

If there is a great penalty when we don’t show mercy; there is a great blessing when we do show mercy

From this discussion; James transitions us to understand the need of working faith

James 2:14–16 KJV 1900

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Faith only doesn’t save us;

Our works don’t save us; but the work of the cross done by Christ was designed to save us and go to work

Faith should affect our behavior;

James 2:17 KJV 1900

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Coming to church is not a indicator of us having faith