James Chapter 2 Part A

James 2:1-13

The theme for this section is continues to be faith and integrity. James provides two situations which we deal with and impact our integrity to the faith we claim. This is a further discussion of chapter 1.

James 2:1 NASB 2020

My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

Can we be humble if we approach the salvation offered by Christ as only for a certain group, status, heritage or those that fit our ideas of who can be saved? We are all called to the same position in standing before God. Redeemed, saved, and glorified by Christ or condemned. We are to view all who are saved as brothers/sisters on equal footing. I am no better in my standing before God than anyone else around the table. This is the application of chapter 1: 9. Christ offers salvation to all.

James 2:2–4 NASB 2020

For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

Why is it so difficult to not do this? Trying to be part of the “clique”. Trying to get into the circle. We selfishly want others to look at us in the same manner. Envious of the impact they have. Want to feel important. It is hard to pass the test of standing faithfully in integrity as a slave. What are some practical ways to help us?

James 2:5–7 NASB 2020

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: did God not choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?

We all are part of a royal priesthood. Sons/daughters of the King of kings. Salvation is the great equalizer. How can we as brothers look onto someone and say your not worthy? Is rich oppressing a truth or generalization? How can we tell the difference?

James 2:8–13 NASB 2020

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 22:39 NASB 2020

The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 5:19 NASB 2020

Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:14–15 NASB 2020

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.

James is setting up the next area regarding faith and works. He makes the argument, along with the rest of the New Testament, that if we are saved by fulfilling the law, then breaking any part of it condemns us. Instead we should function as though we are saved by faith which provides freedom from the law. Why does salvation based on faith lead to freedom? What kind of freedom?

Application

Are we starting to see the many occurrences of the test of our integrity? The opportunities to be tested are all around us.