JAMES 2

In today’s study we should learn the differences between having faith and having works. And that it is by our works we are judged. James 2 and verse 1 reads.

James 2:1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

If the Lord has no favorites, then neither should we. Love all in all for his glory.

James 2:2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Let’s think about this for a minute. To suggest to use a poor man as your footstool is a very evil act against a fellow servant of Jesus Christ. It said in your assembly, meaning in the church. Who would do such a thing? But to show that evil can creep in among a church this is said. Have you ever known someone in a church to mock a brother publicly, I have. Now the writer, James, is warning the people not to appease the rich, and look down on the poor. I would remind you that we are to look after the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned. Jam.1:27. This is the charitable thing to do. Be a doer of God’s commandments.

James 2:5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

The poor may be poor, but are rich in faith. Their works show their faith. Let’s go to Revelations and read 2:9.

Rev.2:9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

He knew our works, and we are rich with his blessings. “Them that say they are Jews and are not”. These are Kenites among us even until this day. Back to James and verse 6 reads.

James 2:6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
[7] Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

But they despise the poor that are among them. They are among them in the church for only one reason, to hear the Word of the Lord, think how evil that is for a moment. And says it is the rich that persecute you for being Christians. Look around today, it is a true saying.

James 2:8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

This is the golden rule, Jesus taught this in Mat.5, let’s pick it up with verse 43.

Mat.5:43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Back to James and verse 9 reads.

James 2:9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

The law is very specific, don’t judge others lest you be judged.

James 2:10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
[11] 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.

It is written in the epistles of 1John 3:4 and it reads.

1John 3:4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Back to James and verse 12 reads.

James 2:12] So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
[13] For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

The law of liberty is forgiveness. Mercy is required for this opportunity to exist. Jesus says in Mat.6:12 and it reads.

Mat.6:12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Meaning we must forgive others who have sinned against us before our sins can be forgiven. Now we can understand the Joy given by mercy. Back to James and verse 14 reads.

James 2:14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Is not works because of Faith, if a man has no works, then he has no faith.

James 2:15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
[16] 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?

Because you saw it with your own eyes and have done nothing.

James 2:17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Comparing verses 15 and 16 to our faith. No works, no faith, it is dead. This “being alone” should scare anyone, imagine being without the Father and the Son, our Comforter.

James 2:18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

A man may say, you have faith, but I have works. But the facts are they have no faith, so their works are dead. You however can say, you will see my faith by my works.  

James 2:19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
[20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

But can you explain to them that have no God, their works are dead? Or say to one that says they believe, but have no works that their faith is dead? Difficult to answer any of those questions, but by saying that works come only by faith.

James 2:21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
[22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
[23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This word justified is judged. By our works a man is judged. Let’s go to Rev.14:12 and it reads.

Rev.14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Though by faith we wrought our works for the Lord, it is our works that follow us to heaven. Back to James and verse 25 reads.

James 2:25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Today’s study gave us a great way to discern good from evil. Let’s finish where we began. Rev.2:9 and it reads.

Rev.2:9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Whether a man be poor or rich is not the topic of today’s study. But how can one without works justify himself that he is a believer. For God’s word tells us how to be one with another. It is written in his laws, his prophets, by the word of Jesus Christ in the gospels, and by the apostles who he sent out to the brethren, who wrote these epistles for us to study. We love the LORD, and we will be a doer of his Word, but we noticed that with our good works evil can and does sneak into our churches. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible