Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Main Scripture passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

The passage here in 2 Corinthians 5 displays two things, among others: (1) the need for reconciliation, and (2) the means of reconciliation.

Main Scripture passage: James 3:1-12

Main Scripture passage: James 2:14-26

The objective of the book of James is the maturity of true saving faith. Thus throughout the book James gives several tests by which one’s faith can be measured or evaluated. The goal here is to know whether or not one’s faith is really genuine and, if so, the areas in which it lacks maturity. For clarity, it should be observed that Paul, in his epistles, answered the question, “How is one saved?” The answer, of course, is that salvation is by grace through faith. James, on the other hand, answers the question, “What is saving faith?” As part of the answer to that question, James puts forth the test of good works in chapter 2 verses 14-26. He says in verse 26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Concerning this relationship between works and faith four things ought to be observed. First, works are a proof of our faith (v. 18). Second, they are the perfection of our faith (v. 22). Third, works are profitable. And fourth, works are pleasing to God.

Main Scripture passage: James 2:1-13

In James 2:1-13 the author asks his audience the following question: You profess the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, so in light of your claim to be followers of Christ, how do you treat other people? Do you really follow the teaching of Jesus, who said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV)? By stating this question James is really asking: If someone were to observe how you live in fact, would it be obvious that you were a Christian? To answer this question James says to use practical expressions of love as a gauge for measuring one’s faith. Unfortunately, the people to whom James addressed his letter were not passing this test. Thus three things should be observed: (1) how James’s readers failed the test of love (what they were doing wrong), (2) why partiality is a failure of love, and (3) James’s exhortation to observe the law of love. Firstly, how were James’s readers failing the test of love? James tells us in verses 1-4. His audience failed the test of love because they were showing partiality or respect of persons. This means they were showing favoritism or giving preference to someone without proper grounds. They were making judgements that were not based on truth or justice. Specifically, the rich were being honored while the poor were being dishonored. And although partiality can take many different forms, in all of them it is really based on self-interest. Therefore it is a failure of love. This leads us on to our next question: why is partiality a failure of love? First, partiality is a failure of love because it is based on a false judgement or a false evaluation (vv. 5-7). James’s audience was treating people based on appearance; they were judging on externals rather than internals. They valued the rich because they looked good, smelled good, possessed money, and things of that nature. In response to this, James says that the poor are the ones who are truly rich–rich spiritually. There are of course other ways of making false judgements besides that of looking at the externals. We can also misjudge by evaluating something without all of the facts or by letting personal attachment influence our judgement. This is why James says in verse 4 that his audience had become “judges with evil thoughts.” Their judgements were not based on truth, and therefore they were wrong. And although partiality is wrong because it is a misjudgment of the truth, in the case of James’s audience it was also wrong because it was based on a misunderstanding of the law. His listeners most likely attempted to justify their partiality by stating that it was really just an expression of love and honor to those shown partiality. But this understanding is flawed because the royal law required them to love all, not just a few. So partiality is a failure to love because it is based on a misjudgment of the truth and a misunderstanding of the law. James’s response to this failure consists in this: to observe the law of liberty, which is the law of love. He says, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement” (vv. 12-13). We will be judged by how we treat others, and this includes our judgements. If we judge other people and show partiality, God will judge us the same way. He commands us to fulfill the law of love, and He will judge us by the same. Therefore, “so speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

Main Scripture passage: James 2

The objective of the book of James is the accomplishment of mature, genuine faith. So throughout the book James gives a series of tests, or measuring rods, by which to evaluate one’s faith. The first test he gives is the test of trials in chapter 1. The next test is the test of the Word (how we respond to it). In chapter 2, we have yet another test, the test of people–how we treat others. The reason for all these tests lies in the fact that James’s audience professed to be believers and were confident of their faith. Therefore James gave them several tests by which they could evaluate their faith to know if it was really real. The first thing to note about faith is that there are three kinds of faith: dead faith (vv. 14-18), demonic faith (v. 19), and divine faith. Firstly, dead faith is faith that is useless or idle. It has no substance; it produces nothing. That is, dead faith is a faith that has no works and produces no fruit. Secondly, there is demonic faith. Demonic faith is an intellectual faith that will not produce fruit. James says in verse 19 that “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!” What he is saying is that it is not enough to say that there is one God, or even to say that Jesus Christ died for your sins. It’s not enough to say it or assert it intellectually–to merely assent to it. Such faith by itself is demonic. In addition to dead faith and demonic faith, there is divine faith. This is the faith that works. Divine faith includes a firm persuasion of the mind and a reliance or trust on the object of faith. It includes knowledge and a persuasion of the truth, but it also includes a third element–trust. This is a reliance on the object of our faith. True saving faith, then, is an intelligent perception of the truth, a reception of the truth, and a reliance on the truth, as it is revealed in the gospel. Putting your faith in Christ involves self-renunciation; you are not trusting in yourself for salvation but are casting your soul on Christ. Faith believes the promises of Christ and rests on these promises. This is also called appropriation: applying Christ to yourself. It is embracing Christ, receiving Christ, and rolling on Christ. So how do you know if you have saving faith? Look at your works. True living faith will produce fruit simply because it is alive. To sum up, the important message James has for us is this: to look at our faith and evaluate it in the mirror of God’s Word. If it measures up, then it is true faith. If it does not, then it is not true faith. The remedy for those who lack saving faith is Jesus. Come to Christ, because He is waiting for you. Put your trust in Him, and He will wrap you in His arms of love.

Main Scripture passage: James 1:19-25

Regarding the word of God, James tells us firstly that we are to hear the word, secondly to receive it, and thirdly to be doers of the word. When James tell us to be hearers of the word, he means just that–we are to listen to the word being preached or spoken. And not just listen to the spoken word; we are to read the word, study it, meditate upon it, know it, and understand it. How do we do this? James tells us two things. (1) We are to be “swift to hear” (v. 19)–that is, to be eager, to be willing, to pay attention, to concentrate. In addition, we are to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Consider and ponder what is spoken, not objecting to the word or responding in anger. (2) We are to listen to the word purely. Verse 21 says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The reason James tell us to lay aside our sin is because the presence of sin hardens the heart. And when the heart is hardened, it is like the rocky soil on which the seed that is sown cannot grow. You see, sin causes our hearts to be prejudiced against God’s word. And when we are in love with sin we can’t be in love with God’s word because they are at enmity with each another. Therefore, in order to receive the word, we have to lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness. This requires an attitude of meekness and humility. Secondly, James tells us to receive the word. This means to allow the word to enter–not just the ear, but the mind, the heart, the conscience, the will, and the affections. That is, we are to allow the word of God to shape us. This entails embracing the word and cherishing the word. There is a profound difference between loving the word and just knowing the word. God wants us to fully embrace and cherish His word, allowing it to transform our lives. Thirdly, James tells us to be doers of the word. This is really the test of the things already mentioned. It is the test of whether we have heard and received the word. Because if we’ve received the word, we will do the word. This is in contrast with the hearer only. The hearer hears, departs, and then forgets. But the doer hears, receives, and then does. Therefore obedience to God is an indicator of genuine faith. That is, the only way to know if we are receiving the word is if we are bearing fruit in our lives. James’s challenge for us is to show that we’ve received the word by how we live.

Main Scripture passage: James 1:2-18

When we fall into various trials, James tells us how we ought to respond. First, we are to “count it all joy” (v. 2). This does not mean that we are to be happy or giddy at all times, as if nothing were wrong. Rather, James is saying that it is reasonable to be thankful for trials when we know and understand their purpose. If you do not know the purpose of the trial, you will not be thankful for the grief. What then is the purpose? James tells us in verse 4: “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” That is, the goal of our trials is that the glory of God might be reflected in our nature–that we might be spiritually and morally perfect. Therefore, it is reasonable to be grateful for the trial because we know God is working in us to conform us to the image of His Son, with the capacity to experience divine glory, bliss, and happiness. Secondly, we are to endure through the trial. James tells us to let patience have its perfect work. Do not abort the process. If we flee from the trial, God will continue to bring it back until we pass the test. Just as God was faithful to Israel in the wilderness, he will also be faithful to us. Thirdly, in our response to trials, James tell us to pray. Verse 5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” When we are in the midst of a trial, we may not know what God is specifically trying to teach us. We know the general truth–that God is using the trial to conform us to His image–but we may not know the specific thing God is working to perfect. This is when it is appropriate to ask God for wisdom–so that we might know what He is teaching us. To put it another way, it is okay to ask God “why” when it is done in the right spirit. Fourthly, James tells us to boast or to glory in our trials (vv. 9-10). Trials are a mark of God’s profound love for us, and thus we are to glory in the trials. Because God loves us, he proves us, and because God cherishes us, he chastens us. This is something to boast about. Fifthly, we are to continually look to eternity. Verse 12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” By looking to heaven, we are reminded of our future reward. Thus we will not complain and grumble. Lastly, James tells us not to be deceived. Although God tests us, He does not tempt us. The temptation to sin when we experience trials comes from our own heart. God is not leading us into sin; He is leading us unto maturity. And when we respond to trials in the wrong way, we want to blame God because we don’t want to be responsible. But James tells us that God does not tempt us. The temptation comes from our own heart. In conclusion, the appropriate response to trials consists in this: we are to “count it all joy”; go through the trial; pray for wisdom, glory in the trial; look to eternity; and not be deceived.