James 2

This chapter is about not showing partiality to certain people/groups of people and the importance of a living faith, one that is backed by works as an active and living faith is a faith that saves.

Discrimination:

James tells us that our faith should not be associated with partiality, which is discrimination. During the time of the Bible this was written, there was a lot of judgment and discrimination based on class and status, ethnicitiy, religion, rich vs poor, etc. and people were obviously more partial to those who were of higher status and paid very little attention to or even hated or oppressed the poor. Jesus came to reconcile us and allow us to become one body and do away with old commandments and ways of thinking (explained in Ephesians 2).

God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (James 2:5).

Those who are poor have to rely on the strength of God. Where the rich man may or may not trust Him, the poor must and that is why God especially blesses the poor. When He came to earth, He came into poverty. However, this doesn't mean he showed partiality against the rich.

James then discusses the importance of obeying God's commands.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of libery. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:10-13)

James explains that we cannot just pick and choose which commands we obey or disregard, God cares about the law in its entirety. If a man keeps all the commands except one, basically it's as if he has commited all of them and he breaks the whole law. We will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (Jesus says this on the Sermon on the Mount). God does and will extend his mercy, which triumphs over judgment.

Living faith in our action:

What does it profit, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? (James 2:14)

This is something that is really hard for me to wrap my head around. James implies that it's impossible for someone to have saving faith without works. They might say that they have faith but if they don't show good works then that fait is dead. Some people think that "having faith" is enough to save them but don't exercise holiness or righteousness. A commentary that I read says that James clarifies the kind of faith that will save us: we are saved by grace through faith, not by works alone BUT a saving faith will be accompanied by works. There are other pieces of Scripture that back this up:

• From Paul: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)

• From Paul: This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works (Titus 3:8)

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James describes the opposite of saving/living faith, which is dead faith. He talks about if someone is in need of food and clothes and we just give encouraging words but don't actually do anything to help, what good is that? A commentary said something that I found really powerful--When someone is in need, we can sometimes pray as a substitute for action. I've been guilty of this many times, saying "I'll be praying for you" instead of taking action and using myself to help others. Throughout the Bible, Jesus describes how important community is and yes, while He doesn't need our help to get anything done, it pleases Him for us to partner with him in helping others.

We are saved by faith alone, but James distinguishes it must be a living faith.

• Even the demons believe--and tremble!

This is a demonstration of faith without works, the demons acknowledge that God exists but just knowing and acknowledging is not saving these demons. This is why James says that real living faith is followed by works. Faith is not visible, we can't see if someone has faith. We can, however, see works and we can see their faith demonstrated by their works.

Examples of living faith:

• Abraham offering his son Isaac

  • His obedience in his works showed that he really did trust God

  • If he never had faith, he couldn't have been obedient through works

  • His faith was proven and made perfect by his obedient works

• Rahab the harlot (prostitute) (Joshua 2)

  • She hid spies and showed her living faith by doing something with her faith, specifically helping people

In both of these examples, obedience via works showed a living faith even at the expense at it costing them something.

James distinguish between a faith that is dead vs a faith that is living. However, both of them are faith; he is not denying that someone does not have faith. But he makes it clear the distinction between a faith that saves vs a faith that does not save.

Takeaway:

We are not to show partiality to people based on their status, religion, race, upbringing, etc. Each person is a child of God and we are to treat them that way. I've really battled the idea of a dead vs living faith and while I think it is clear that James thinks one cannot be saved without works, I have a hard time believing that if someone truly believes in God, His death, and His resurrection that they will not be saved. I think that God's mercy is greater. However, I also don't think that it is truly black and white. I believe that my God is good and just and that His grace and mercy is more than my earthly human mind can fathom. I think that maybe we're not meant to have all the answers here on earth but if it is true that faith without works is dead, then why not just live a life that is pleasing and obedient to the Lord? Oftentimes we try to dissect the Bible so much that we forget the bigger picture that we can all agree upon: we are called to live for God and to spread His love.