Welcome to episode 36 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of James, covering chapter 2. The series is called “Having a faith that works.” Today, we discuss:
- Favoritism is forbidden (vv. 1-7)
- Just judgment (vv. 8-13)
- Practical proof (vv. 14-20)
- Biblical basis (vv. 21-26)
Key takeaways:
- When we show favoritism, it makes us judges, and only God can honestly judge a person.
- The “royal law” for the believer is the law of love (love your neighbor as yourself). It is called “royal” because it is the supreme law to which all other laws governing human relationships are subordinate.
- The presence of love (or mercy) shows that God has performed a work of grace in the believer’s heart, making him or her like Christ.
- James is considering man in relation to his fellowman, in which case works are the visible evidence of faith.
- It is impossible to show faith without works, but it is possible to show faith through works.
- The problem with those who give no evidence of faith, James says, is nothing less than this: they do not possess true faith.
- Justification means to be declared righteous. It’s not that we are righteous, for we still sin. Rather, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us.
Quotable:
We do not have a works faith, but we believe that faith works.
Application:
- The right course of action is to show favor to everyone, whether they are rich or poor.
- To violate God’s law at any one point is not to violate one commandment only; it is to violate the will of God and to contradict the character of God.
- The cure for passing judgment on others is to remember that we must all face judgment ourselves.
- Good works cannot produce salvation, but salvation most certainly produces good works. Good works are a byproduct of saving faith.
- Action is the proper fruit of living faith.
- Deeds are the evidence that saving faith is present in a person’s life.
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