James Chapter 2 Part 2

 

©lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”

Theme Scripture Chapter One:

Faith Without Works Is Dead: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” – James 2:26

The statement above to the eye of one not ‘born again’ [John 3:3-8] may confuse the person who is a ‘belief’ only believer. Or one who may have a passing understanding that the gospel is a combination of ‘believing and faith’ together with repentance but who does not believe, nor do they have faith in the subject of the gospel, who is Jesus. And they may not be inclined to repent of their sin. The greek word for ‘believe’ is ‘pisteuō’ [Strong’s # G4100] while the greek word for ‘faith’ is pistis [Strong’s #G4102].

This needs to be fully understood. For example only: You may believe each time you turn the light switch on there will be illumination as a result. Yet, one who is experienced in life does not have ‘faith’ illumination will always be the result. Why? Because many things can happen that will prevent the light from turning on. It may have burned out. Maybe the circuit breaker is off. It may remain unlit because electricity to the area is off, and so on. So you believe, maybe more habitually than mindfully, the light will turn on. Some mistake that habit as faith but each time it does not respond as you believe you must rectify your problem with ‘faith’ because of a major set back. In time, you turn on the switch knowing it may not work one/some time. 

Faith is based on something remaining unchanged so as not to challenge that in which you have placed your faith. For instance, the Holy Word of GOD states that HIS Word does not go forth from HIS mouth and returns void. It WILL be what it was intended to be.-- Isa 55:11 [Additional scriptures Romans 11:29; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17 & 13:8.] There is  a rich history, by way of the Bible, of instances when GOD foretold something and it transpired, regardless of the impossibility of the event/incident foretold from a human perspective. It builds faith in the ‘believer’. In fact, the Apostle Paul writes to Christians, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.: – Romans 15:4. 

FYI, the Bible definition of ‘faith’ is found at Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Do you see the connection between faith and hope? Paul basically says the Bible provides us with sufficient evidence to have a solid faith in GOD’s ability to deliver on HIS Word, which includes promises. Faith gives birth to hope. Further, there is this support: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 [Read the full context of this Romans 10:14-17. See the logical progress from belief to faith?] 

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

This is easy to follow as an example, right? Common sense really. In vs 15 we find a hypothetical situation. The brother or sister is in need but the ‘fix’ is to wish them well and send them on their way. But where is the evidence of a ‘Christian’ faith? There is no evidence of ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ because the situation was unaffected by the well wishes of the fellow believer. No works born from the faith in the one sending them away. Beyond that, consider someone might assist the person with their needs from an outpouring of humanity completely detached from a belief in GOD, a god or any religious inclination. You need not believe in anything but humanity and be moved to ‘work’ at fixing the need for food and clothing issues. How much more should a ‘believer’ manifest their faith by working at providing the needs to the one who has no clothes and no food? 

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed in God, and it was  accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Notice the final point made by James is vs 24. Abraham was justified by works and not his faith only. Works come from the abundance of the Christ’s Spirit in us. We have gifts of the Spirit and we should manifest the fruitage of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12/Galatians 5:22,23

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Another great example. She already manifested a tacit faith in the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when she expressed concern for her safety because of the miracles Joshua’s GOD had performed. Read Joshua chapter 2. Not only does she explain how she knows their GOD but also she strikes an agreement with them to protect her and her family. They commit to the agreement but give her a bit of responsibility on her part. See verses Joshua 2:17-20. Thus, by a combination of her faith and the works she was responsible to secure her family's safety. 

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Totally straight forward. From the moment you are born again, your faith grows through the first works – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” –Romans 12:1,2 

Presentation of ourselves a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Nonconformance with the world. Transformation and renewal of our minds. All works attending our faith.

Lastly, this finishes Chapter 2. Notice how the theme scripture is still applicable. If we know what is right and we do not do it it is a sin. James only makes that statement once but it is equally applicable in both Chapters 1 and 2.

Chapter 3 part 1 will be posted August 15, 2023, GOD willing.

Email questions: lightwritingmatters@gmail.com

©lightwritingmatters 2015

 NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post. Images are sourced from various places, mostly from travels done by the author and therefore the sole property of the author.