The Character of Faith Pt. 1

James 2:1-13

 

James 2:1-13 (ESV) 

    My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  [2] For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,  [3] and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet,"  [4] have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  [5] Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?  [6] But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?  [7] Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

    [8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.  [9] But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.  [11] For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  [12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.  [13] For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

1- Our Faith Must Center in Christ (vs. 1)

Why does James make such a dogmatic statement as this? 

A- God the Father shows no favoritism in regard to social classes- (Acts 10:34 -35; Romans 2:11 ; Galatians 3:28 ; 1Peter 1:17 )

B- Jesus shows no favoritism according to social classes- (Mark 12:14 ) 

We are not to hold the world and its values and judgments but we are to hold fast to Christ.

James is telling us that we are to not hold fast to worldly vision and worldly judgments and at the same time, while we are not making judgments based on worldly assessments we are to be holding fast in faith to Christ.  We are not walking by sight but by faith.  Let go of all things that would ensnare your heart and by faith hold fast to Christ.  We are not to hold the world and its values and judgments but we are to hold fast to Christ. 

 A pastor from the 1600’s Thomas Vincent had this to say:

If you ask me what this faith is that gives an interest in Christ, what it is to believe, I answer out of John 1:12 that it is to receive Christ: But to as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”  Be persuaded, then, to receive Christ, and accept Him upon the terms of the Gospel.  Receive and take hold of Christ by the hand of faith and, that you may do this:

(1)   You must let go your hold of sin.

(2)   You must let go your hold on the world.

(3)   You must let go your hold of self.

Also see Romans 12:1-6, 16.

Making self asserting judgments based on outward appearances is not living in the realm of faith but it is living with both hands locked tight to the world and its values.

 

2- Our Faith in Christ Overcomes Social Distinctions (vss. 2-13)

A-    There is no Place for Partiality in the Life of the Church (vss. 2-4)

The Holy Spirit working internally within individual believers and with the church will be working toward peace and unity with all that God has sovereignly placed together to make up the local body. 

B-    There is no Place for Partiality in the Plan of God (vss. 5-7)

God chooses whom He wants to make up His church.  Many times He chooses those who are not the wisest, richest, or most talented to make up His special people. (1 Cor. 1:26-31) 

C-      There is no Place for Partiality in the life of a Believer (vss. 8-13)

To be slack in this area of favoritism is to be guilty and a transgressor of the whole law of God.

We are accountable to all of it because we haven’t only sinned against the poor person we have judged but in fact we have passed judgment on the One who made the Law and called that very person out from among sinners, namely God.