James 2 opens with an admonition against partiality. In James 2:1-7, he addresses the different treatments of the rich man and the poor man. He is speaking a principle here that uses a hypothetical example. As God's people, we are not to judge and LIMIT access to God based on a standard seen in our culture. We should show no special favor to a rich man simply because he is rich. Both the rich and poor have the same access to salvation by God's grace. At the same time, we are not to show favoritism toward the poor man (class envy). Worldly wealth is not a barometer of holiness or an indicator of God's favor. Men are to be treated according to their possession of Jesus as Lord and Savior...not according to their wealth.
Some may have begun to argue (at least in their minds) that if they were guilty, it was only of a "small sin"...and was no big deal in God's eyes. James 2:8-13 reminds us that to be guilty of one sin makes us guilty. To obey one aspect of God's law and not another...still makes us guilty under the Law. NOTE: For those who may say..."Whew! We are under grace and not the Law...so this doesn't apply to us." NOT SO! Remember real religion is the life of holiness. We are called to live holy lives (James 1:27).
Some may begin to object...saying that our relationship with God is not dependent on our works...but by faith alone. This is true...but what kind of faith? Are we speaking of mental ascent (an intellectual agreement with a set of facts); Or, are we speaking of a saving faith? James explores the distinction in the remainder of the chapter.
"Faith" without corresponding action based on that faith is not really faith...at least not the "saving kind" (James 2:14-17). Even the demons (who are obviously not in the "saved" category) know and accept/believe the facts about God (James 2:18-20). The faith that saves always manifests itself with corresponding works (James 2:20-26).
Works do not save us. God saves us when we respond to Him by faith. Our response to Him is evident in our actions. Our "confession" of belief in a set of facts is no more effective in "saving" us than anything in the world. Our response to the God the facts speak of...is one of faith and is evident by our actions. As someone said, "what you do speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say."
Proverbs 6:30-31 is the takeaway today. There is understanding when a man sins because he is overwhelmed by his need. This is not an excuse...but an explanation. Still, the man must repay/make restitution for his sin. He is not absolved from responsibility simply because he was overwhelmed.
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2 comments:
I am really enjoying James, full of so much wisdom... Good stuff!:)
Something I found reasonable, although I'm not going to draw a line in the sand over it, is that Paul was mainly addressing Judaizers/legalists who wanted to add works to grace (you must be circumcised, you must follow dietary laws, you must celebrate certain days, etc.) and James is addressing those who were using grace as an excuse to be "spiritual" and disdain getting their hands dirty.
I do know that Paul, Peter, the author of Hebrews, and Christ himself spoke of believers doing good works, to show good fruit for the glory of God.
I've had a scene from a western being brought up in my mind lately in context with my Scripture readings and the men's study.
A traveling preacher has just arrived the night before in a mining camp. The next morning:
Preacher: Meantime, why don't you put me to work?
Miner: Oh no, I couldn't ask you to, uh... Well, I mean, ya know - maybe if there was somethin' spiritual.
The Preacher: Well, that Spirit ain't worth spit without a little exercise. Now you tell me where.
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