James 2:1-7

James 2:1-7

This is such a fitting passage for where we are in our timeline of life events. James although writing almost 2,000 years ago could not still identify more with current issues and narratives. Lets take a closer look at the issues being discussed and the heart check we should take as inventory.

My brothers, show no partiality, this term partiality can also be rendered favoritism. Favoritism. Such a good and sobering word as we think through this passage. Partiality is by no means limited to skin color, but absolutely includes it, James here talks about socio-economics...favoritism to the wealthy ( as they would be seen as those who could give more) or the poor (dirty, filthy, less likely to contribute). James lived in a society where people were divided between Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free, men or women. And as a result people, whether aware of it or not had preferences and favoritism towards others.

We do the same. I love that James uses the example of someone walking into the church gathering. What a gut check. A family walks in, or a single mom walks in, or someone we would consider "shady," walks in, do we greet them? Do we push over? Do we pretend we didn't see them? Do we wonder why they are there?

James 2:4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

All men are created as image bearers of God. We must see one another in this light if we are to love one another in this accord. That is why in 1 Peter we are told to honor everyone. We do not have to agree with nor understand people to honor them because they are a people just like us. 

A word of caution lest you run with zeal towards any current movement. Be weary of what does not hold up to biblical truths. There are A LOT of misinformed and mis-intended persons out there trying to take advantage of the chaos and turmoil around. Our only hope, our only peace, our only capability to be kind comes in and through and from Christ. May Christ abound more today. 

An excellent sermon on this topic: Faith in the Church. Make sure you click on the sermon with that title!

James 1:27b

 James 1:27b: and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 

KJV reading of this uses the word 'unspotted,' and Strong's Greek defines it as, unspotted or without vice.

As we wrap up the entirety of chapter 1 today we are reminded in this very simple yet profound verse; that we are to keep ourselves unstained from the world.

It is good to realize this is not a call to perfection. This although James is making the assertion that we should be not just hearers of the Word but doers, our doing or lack of doing does not merit our salvation. Just as this is not a call to legalism or not having friends or relationships or shopping with "the outside," so to speak. This is a good reminder that we are to be in the world but not of it. 

What does that mean? 1 John 1:15-17 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the loves of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

When you look at your response to trials, does it look like your secular neighbor's? Are people shocked when they find out your a Christian? If you hear more than not, "WOW! I didn't realize you were a believer!" It is time to do a heart check. We should present differently because we are strangers of this world. Our residency and therefore our allegiance is with the Lord of Hosts. Our actions, our lifestyle, our choices should point to the fact that we serve a Risen Savior. If we have the same desires before coming to salvation and then after, something is wrong. 

James is encouraging us to examine this. Chapter 1 has been such an excellent reminder to me of so many areas that I still respond, maybe with the right Christian lingo but not with a heart after God's. When trials come, do I try to numb away the hours with mindless entertainment, or vices; or do I sink in deeper yet to the steadfast love of Jesus? Oh love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee!!! I wish I could sing that in full honesty, but there are days I cannot. I get anxious, fretful and full of fear. I become a hearer of the Word but as we read I can look in the mirror and walk away forgetting instantly what  I saw. I become tossed to and fro- and it is no wonder I get sea sick in worry. My response is not in direct relation to what I profess. 

To practice true religion is this: to do what we say! To care deeply for those around us, and to be known by our fruits. That we live in a way that radiates Christ that people are not left thinking we are nice; but knowing what it means to follow Jesus.

In our trials in our temptation, in our neighborhoods, in our home, in our marriage, to strangers around us do we demonstrate the love that will not let us go!?

Worship: O Love that wilt not let me go

James 1:27a

 Every time I sit to study and write I think to myself, surely we can get through a couple verses today. Then I sit and dig in. I take more than my prone to cursory glance, and realize the seriousness of the truths being spoken. James has been wrecking me- but in a good way. I have had to come face to face with some serious issues in my own heart. As, be as life would journey us, we have been walking through a series of trials- and I have gotten to see first hand...do I practice what I teach?

The answer to that, is yes and no. Last week I can say in full disclosure that when we walked through a trial of perseverance, and hope; I met it with anxiety and fret. I could feel temptations chasing me down- to try to just drive the hours away by checking out and keeping busy. I felt myself short with my kids and utterly exhausted from worry and the what if games. Yet, there my Savior met me. Speaking to me, through His written Word, with truths he laid out generously for my good. As I cried and repented I felt the amazing goodness of God's grace washing over my heart and soul. We serve a tender Shepherd who takes us through trials for our benefit. And I can honestly say, did I get any of the answers I was fretting about? Nope. Would I and will I possibly be in the same week this week, yup. But, oh but God, being rich in His mercy has shown me that I can wait in Him. Its a far better place than waiting in ourselves. 

Okay- Side note over, James 1:27a Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions...

In John MacArthur's commentary on James he writes, "proper reaction to the Word of God is the willingness to apply it to one's life without selfishness, with genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially those in great need. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is to serve them with love and compassion. Jesus said, "by this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35)."

In our currect age even care of widows and orphans has become political. We try to tap out saying its not our job there are programs...or try to make our whole service to God about serving widows and orphans- but only the most destitute. We will skip over our single moms living next door chasing after "more orphaned and widowed than that," for religious accolades. James is writing this because for the early church, these were the most needy around them. There were no programs, no after school clubs, no reduced lunches or soup kitchens. It was the churches job. And James is saying and will say again, don't just glance by these persons, care for them. 

People matter. And we are in a society where self matters more. Widows and orphans exist in every tribe, tongue and language. We can pray, we can help, we can make dinners or go school shopping. Ask, help, seek. We live in a season right now, back to school...what does this look like for the single mom who needs to work? Can you help? Our society is hurting. It is full of perversions, exploitation, we are trafficking and aborting our children and having zero regard for the lives of the elderly. We can step in. Send cards to elderly family members, or in your church. There are many who can't travel or are scared too. Who haven't left their homes since March, and a text just isn't suffice. We can start now, we can look next door, next town, next state and next country over to see where and how we can help. 

Rosaria Butterfield wrote an excellent book on this called "The Gospel Comes with a House Key." It is a sobering and challenging read. Yet, I think it comes out of the convicting of the Word and teachings like James 1:27a.

It can feel overwhelming, don't let it be. Practically speaking today: make a list of 3 single moms you know, 3 widows you know and pull out your church directory and find 3 persons living is assisted care. Pray for them, write to them, safely visit them. We can be the hands and feet of Christ starting right at our kitchen tables. <3

James 1:26

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:26

James will go further yet into this study on the tongue in later chapters, but brings it up now. James will be a sharpening tool, a pruning sheer and a stumbling stone to many of us. We are being taught polar opposite of what our instincts might in fact be telling us to do. Trials being for our good? That we must not follow our heart but Christ's lead through all circumstances. That it is not acceptable to simply "do christianity," and now this- that we must look to see- does our tongue act as a weapon of treason against the faith we claim or does it spread the hope of the Gospel?

Covid has brought out the good, the bad and the absolutely hideous not just from America, but the church. It has become a dividing line, a division wall and a sounding board. And the unsaved world is watching. We have gone from being silently judgmental of others to throwing stones as hard as we can via social media or in stores or on blogs. My heart is grieved. There are thousands of people perishing every day, every single day; who will find out that there is a God whether they chose to accept that truth or not. Thousands of people who either never heard or rejected the gospel that will die. There are children being sold into trafficking every moment. The lockdown has caused the viewing of child pornography to climb to horrific, repulsive levels. People are scared to leave their homes. I was at the grocery store the other day and encountered two elderly women, who were visibly shaking, wrapped head to toe in covering and gloves and masks and a hat; and I heard both of them speaking to the cashier on just how scared they were to be out. My heart ached. BUT- where are we? Mocking people that wear masks on social media because we disagree? Mocking people scared because we think they are stupid? Consuming ourselves mindless entertainment to pass the hours because #covidsaysIcan? What has happened to us?

Today- might sound hard- and I don't mean it to but in the same regard I am broken. When is the last time that the thought that your talk not matching your walk has brought you to tears? When is the last time the gospel made you weep; or furthermore made you mobile?! Springing into action to tell others about the glorious good news of Jesus Christ?! The one who is sovereign over all things? The one who laid out the sun to govern the day and the stars and moon for the night? The One who calms the raging sea by the sounds of His Voice? When is the last time your confidence in salvation motivated you to lay down your life for a friend?

Sister. We will look back at this season one day, and maybe one day soon. Did you tongue cause your religion to be worthless to those who desperately need Christ? Or was your tongue used to administer the Balm of Gilead to the broken, sick, lost world around us? Do not be hearers only- but doers today <3 

Spread Christ. 

God the Uncreated One

James 1:22-23

James 1:22-23 But be doers of the word, not just hearers only.

James has been an incredibly convicting book. We are yet on chapter 1 but I am finding constant areas of reproach and yet encouragement along this journey. Today, yet again is one of them. Oh to be doers and not just hearers of the Word.

This passage, was incredibly convicting. It brings to mind the very true reality of being able to come to God's Word, every morning or evening or whenever you make the time, read it and then walk away as if nothing was different. Its like sitting under a beautifully convicting Sunday morning sermon, then going home putting on the football game or grabbing your shopping coupons and resuming every day life...as if it never happened. You fulfilled Sunday obligations, can under the authority of the Word and then went home and forgot all about it. Ugh. This happens too often. Or I will listen to a sermon on my walk or feel so impassioned by my reading in the morning and then by 10am I am cranky, short with my children, muttering things I shouldn't and consumed with things that in 100 years won't even matter.

Its easier than we think to look in the mirror and immediately forget what we look like. Its easy to be in the Word and see ourselves through the lenses of God's Law realize we are sinners and then go back to our everyday. May it not be so anymore!

Something that has been a challenge to me right now is walking through a few trials in light of what we are learning. I feel very convicted of my typical pattern in trials and now am face to face with biblical truths and exhortations on how to handle it- and it is still SO HARD! It is hard to walk worthy of the calling that we have been brought into. Its easier to fall into habitual patterns that to make the effort to die to self and give it to God. SO. HARD. But this passage reminds me again and again how much I can be a hearer only, and that is not what I want. The goodness of Christ reminds us to be not just hearers but doers of the Word.

Today- Take some time, see where you need to change on this. Ask God to reveal where you struggle to be a hearer only. And allow God to change your heart. May God soften our hearts and renew our minds to transform us into His likeness day by day!

Worship today: His Mercy is More

James 1:20-21

Verses 20-21 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

This passage continues to overwhelm me with beauty and clarity and truth. If we respond to the word of God in anger, or pride, or self-justification we will not be able to produce the righteousness of God. We will have zero fruit if we are constantly debating the Lord on why we are less sinful or need less work or less change, or above the law; especially compared to the 'other guy.' If we respond as spoiled children who when don't get their way or are told no, or are corrected- by fits of rage,anger or outright rebellion we will miss the fruit of the Spirit. 

Therefore, a key study word as we have learned, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness. What does this look like?  Ephesians 4:22 and 1 Peter 1:23 reminds us we are to be putting off our former selves. Those desires, or practices that were done when we were outside of Christ. When we come to Christ the old is gone and the new has come! Do not keep picking up you rags and trying to put them back on! Don't pick up the filthy cloak of obscene talk, impure thoughts and desires, gossip, slander, malice, anger and trying to wear it! Cast it aside! Throw it out and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness! To seek Christ we must die to self.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God.  James is reiterating that. What is the Kingdom of God? Eternal salvation. The meek, those who receive the Word will inherit the Kingdom. 

There will be a link at the bottom of the study to a fantastic sermon on the verse blessed are the meek. Especially as Westerners, meekness might not be something we understand or aspire too. Quite frankly in the demand for our constant rights and needs; we fail to demonstrate meekness on a daily basis. Perhaps we have it wrong? What does it look like to be meek?

In the study notes of my Bible there is a beautiful comment, " When the Word takes hold of a person it is as if it were engrafted, or rooted, into their very being." We get the Word grafted into our hearts. And out of this we produce fruit that pleases our Savior. Take a close look at your heart today. Are you bearing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control? Or is their little evidence to your encounter with Christ and His Word? His implanted Word, which is able to save your soul, is the Gift of Salvation. In John 1:1 we learn In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

His implanted Word- is Himself. Therefore, do not respond in anger, or the putting on of filthy rags. May we radiated the Light of Christ to those around us, because we allow Him to be the Light within us. 

Sermon Link: Nate Pickowicz Matthew 5:5

James 1:19

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger

Have you ever read a passage, like a million times, then read the study notes on it- and realize you might have not understood the passage? Or taken it out of context? This was my experience with this verse. I always assumed that this was just a nugget of advice to be properly used for daily dialogue or current social media interactions. So much so I read 5 commentaries and then listened to a sermon on it- nope, its me- I was off. And that is the beauty of expositional learning. We we study verse by verse rather than one offs we are able to follow the thought, thread, theme and intent of the book.

James is writing to the believer, his beloved brothers. James is a pastor, writing to the flock that is trying to figure out how to go about being Christ followers. Keep in mind the book of James was possibly the earliest written. They did not have Romans or 1 Timothy or the Gospels to guide them. They had their teachers and the Old Testament. We live with the privilege, and I don't say that lightly because we can so take this for granted, the privilege of the Old an New Testament. We see the bigger picture- the prophecy fulfilled and now through even church history, the command to share the gospel being lived out.

Actually, have the Word written for us, in so many ways, in so many translations, in such ease of accessibility makes today's passage even more poinient. Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger...this is talking about the Word of God! 

Be quick to hear scripture. Be slow with a rebuttal or a refute of Scripture. And be slow to anger regarding the truths we read. 

Seriously. My mind was a little topsy turvy this morning when I read this now in context. And it makes so much sense. Studying this in its passage we can now further the discussion that James is marking out key elements of a believer. How they handle trials and temptations in 1-18 and now how they respond to the Word in 19-27. 

2 Timothy teaches us, " All scripture is breathed out by God, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." James is going to go on as we study this passage to instruct us to be doers of the word not just hearers. Not in a works based salvation but as a response to the living breathing Word of God! 

It is so easy to forget that God's written Word is God's spoken Word. We go to it apathetically. Half-hearted, distracted. we can glaze over it nonchalantly and take it like a fortune cookie. This should not be so! The Word of God is living and active! Sharper than any two-edged sword! I am reminded of the Psalmist heart in Psalm 119.  Verses 1-8 and then 9-16 are beautiful words that should be read over and over today. Oh that we may we declare with our lips the laws of the Lord!  May we meditate on His precepts and fix our eyes on His ways! May we not forget His Word!

Today: What ways to we not respond appropriately to God's Word? Do we take it for granted? Do we read it with a " yea, but in today's world..." Do we go to it with an opinion ready not seeking to be taught truth but trying to confirm an emotion or opinion? Are we angered when God's Word does not match up with what we want?  Do we long for His Word meditating on it day and night?

May this day find us seeking Him through His Word with our whole hearts. 

Be Thou My Vision