James 2

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler

James 1 closed with watching our tongues. Why? Many reasons. 

1) Our behavior, including what we say, reflects our representation of God. 

2) Gossip may be one of the most damaging acts.

Leviticus 19:16

Proverbs 11:13

Proverbs 18:8

Proverbs 20:19

Proverbs 26:20

Proverbs 26:22 

James also ended James 1 by reminding us not to be polluted by the world. The way we behave toward people reveals what we really believe about God!

In James 2, James continues to hammer away at the importance of REALITY in our attitude towards God and His Word. 

James 2:1 

Having lived with Jesus as His half-brother, James has a way better idea of His deity than scholars tucked away in musty libraries. If James says Jesus is the Lord, then that pretty much settles the issue for me. 

James 2:2 

We cannot profess our faith in Jesus and be a spiritual snob. Who are we to judge others at all? We need to be careful of the man-made stratification within the church: man vs. woman; rich vs. poor; Jews vs. Gentiles; pre- vs. post-Tribulation Rapture; etc. 

James 2:7 

When we mistreat the poor or tolerate injustice, we are blaspheming the name of the Lord. Our lives, the way we live, it is the most powerful defense of the Word of God. The way we live is more powerful than apologetics or clever arguments. 

James 2:8 

The royal law: Why does James calls it that? 

1) It was given to us by our King 

2) It rules over all other laws, including the Mosaic Laws; obeying it makes us Kings (literally). Hatred, on the other hand, makes us slaves. 

Christian love is loving others as God loves us. 

James 2:10 

A chain of 10 links that is holding a man back, preventing him from falling into the abyss. Only one link needs to break for him to fall in. ONE. That is the point James is making here. We stand before God as lawbreakers. We don't need to count how many we have broken. We break just one, and we’re done. And this is why we need Jesus Christ.

James 2:11 

James's point here is how hopeless we would be if we are attempting to be justified on the grounds of our own obedience. 

To those who say, "Well, all I want is justice." NOT ME. There are few mistakes that I have NOT made. I want mercy, the mercy of God. 

James 2:12 

John 14:15 

If we love Jesus, we keep his commandments. Our choice to receive God and salvation is not the climax of our lives. It's only the beginning! What have we done with the salvation? That is the crux of James’s epistle. 

John 5:24

Romans 8:1

Romans 14:10-13

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 

Jesus and Paul assured us that Christians will never be judged for our sins, but our works will be judged and rewarded. 

James 2:3

Matthew 12:36

Our words will be judged. 

Colossians 3:22 

Our deeds will be judged. 

Jeremiah 31:24

Hebrews 10:17

Through Christ, God remembers our sins no more. HOWEVER, our sins still affects our character and our works! We may pull a nail out of the board. The nail may no longer be in the board anymore, but the mark is still there. 

When we proclaim our faith in Christ, yet we continue to be okay with sinning, how is that not slapping Christ in the face, telling Him, “Hey, I’m glad you died for my sins. Here, let me load some more up for you!” I’m obviously being facetious here, but the point is, there is simply no way we can proclaim our faith in Christ and turn a blind eye to our sinning ways. 

James 2:13

Our attitudes will be judged. James's main point throughout this epistle is this: Are our walk consistent with our profession of faith? Our behavior reflects what we really believe.

FAITH IS A KEY DOCTRINE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 
Sinners are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The believer must walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Without faith, it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11).
Whatever we do that is not done in faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

But, what is faith? Faith in WHAT?

Missler: “Faith is not belief in spite of evidence. Faith is belief in spite of convenience.”

Faith is the confidence that we know God's Word is true, and that acting on His word will bring a blessing. It's more than just believing. There is the critical element of trust. 

What kind of faith saves a person? Is it necessary to do good works in order to be saved? How can a person tell if he's exercising true saving faith? 

James 2:14

James is hinting here that there are people who claim they have faith but have not salvation! 

Matthew 7:16-23 

Trees are measure by the fruits they bear. To those who have done things in His name, Jesus will not know them! Why not? HEART. Below, James elaborates on this.

Example 1: Dead Faith (James 2:15-18)

We can have faith, but that faith can be dead. We can have faith but be unsaved. For example, we can put our faith in a chair, but that chair isn’t going to save us. Think that’s a ridiculous example? Okay. We can put our faith in idols, but those idols aren’t going to save us. Isaiah nailed that topic pretty well. Our faith is only as good as the object we place it in. So… I’d argue it’s in our best interest to be certain that object is REAL. 

We are called to help meet the needs of people. The example given by James here illustrates the cynicism of lip service: They provide no real help but send the needy away telling them to depart in faith and be warm and filled. This example points to those who have the vocabulary but not the commitment. People substitute words for authenticating deeds. 

Galatians 6:10 

Paul says for us to do good to all, especially unto those who are in the house of faith. Paul's point here is that we have an obligation as Christians. As Christians, we are manifesting, demonstrating, and professing the character of god by our conduct. When we fail to meet our obligations to help, we are casting a cloud on the image of God, who we are supposed to be witnesses of! 

Matthew 25:40 

This obligation to help applies to ALL, both believers and non-believers. However, it rests more heavily on the believers. 

1 John 3:17-19 

If we have a brother in need but we remain unresponsive, how can we say God dwells in us? Let us not love in word or tongue but in deeds and truth. Words are cheap! 

Luke 10:25-37

Who is our neighbor? Anyone who is in need! 

Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and practical results is a false declaration. 

James is not drawing a separating between faith and works. He is saying they are inseparable. 

John Calvin: It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies is never alone. 

If it's real faith, it'll produce works. Faith without authenticating actions is in vain. This is James's focus. 

James 2:18 

Actions speak louder than words. James is repudiating the separation of faith and deeds. Mere intellectual assent is not enough. I may believe the airplane may fly, but it's different between actually getting in and flying in it. The first scenario is mere believing, an intellectual exercise. The second scenario is having true faith. We may know the doctrines of salvation, but until we submit ourselves to God, the intellectual exercise is incomplete. 

Example 2: Demonic Faith (James 2:19-20) 

There are no atheistic demons. THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS.

The point James is making here is that not only do demons KNOW God, they tremble in his presence!

In a way, demons are ahead of many Christians whose belief in God is only an intellectual exercise! They have better theology than some of us! They believe in the presence of God. They believe in the deity of Christ. They witnessed of Christ: Whenever they are in the presence of Christ, they bore witness to His Sonship (Mark 3, Matthew 8, Luke 8)!

Yet, despite all this knowledge, THEY ARE NOT SAVED.

Oh, man, I so hope we all learn from this! We can be enlightened in the mind and be stirred in the heart but still be lost!

James is making a very harsh but real point here: Demons know God intellectually, and they tremble in the presence of God. Yet, they are still lost. Knowing and trembling therefore is not a confirming experience of our faith! True faith is something more. It can be seen and recognized. It leads to a changed life.

Faith without works is dead. James makes his point three times in this chapter. 

"Dead" = useless, doesn't work 

Again, James is not drawing the separation of faith and works but is stressing that the two are inseparable. 

Example 3: Dynamic Faith (2:21-26) 

True saving faith is based on the Word of God, because we received our spiritual birth by it (James 1; Romans 10:17).

Again, faith is only as good as the object we place it in! We can have faith in a chair, but what does that mean? 

Dynamic faith requires the intellect, the emotions, and the will. The mind understands the truth, the heart desires the truth, and the will acts upon the truth. 

Missler: Again, faith is not believing despite the evidence. Faith is obeying despite the consequences. 

TYPES OF WORKS

Works of the law: Galatians 2:16 

Works of the flesh: Galatians 5:19 

Wicked works: Colossians 1:21 

Dead works: Hebrews 9:14 

Good works 

James talks about good works here and illustrates them with two situations. 

Situation 1 (James 2:21): The offering of Abraham's son (Genesis 22)

Abraham's faith in God was demonstrated in His obedience to God, in his changed life. In Genesis 22, Abraham is demonstrating his saving faith. Abraham He wasn't saved in Genesis 22; he was saved in Genesis 15:6! (Galatians 3 and Romans 4 both make the same point.)

Genesis 22:15 

Abraham expected Isaac to come back with him. Reflect on this monstrous faith Abraham had in God! Abraham knew that God had told him that Isaac would have children. Yet, God also told him to sacrifice God. If Abraham trusted in his human mind and his limited human knowledge, he would have never been able to understand how God could promise him both without causing a great paradox. However, Abraham just left it all to God. He doesn’t know how God is going to do it; he just KNOWS God keeps His promises. If God wants to sacrifice Isaac, then clearly, God will have to bring Isaac back to life to fulfill his destiny as the father of many nations. Abraham is showing us his faith in Isaac's resurrection.

Note also, that Isaac is an adult here. Abraham wasn’t sacrificing a child. Isaac went voluntarily. (The original Hebrew text doesn't just mean they went together. It means they went in agreement). 

By faith, Abraham obeyed despite the consequences. Isaac being sacrificed could not have been an easy choice for Abraham. We humans don’t know how to deal with death. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t. Abraham’s amazing faith in God shows us what it means to follow God’s commandment. 

What’s impossible for us is not for God. When we run into troubles, we don’t try and depend on ourselves. We turn to God. God has made many promises, and He will keep all of His promises.

Believing despite the evidence is not faith. That is myth! 

Genesis 22 a foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice

2000 years later, another Father would sacrifice His only Son. God sent Jesus to die for our sins.

Note also the many types we see in these passages. Abraham is a type of father. Isaac, a type of Jesus. Abraham’s servant, who was sent to find Isaac a bride, a type of Holy Spirit. 

James 2:22

Trees are examined by the fruit they bear. We are examined by the fruit we bear as well. One of the main fruits we bear is our changed lives! Abraham was saved by faith and faith alone. He was declared righteous in Genesis 15, 15 years before he was circumcised in Genesis 7 and hundreds of years before the Law of Moses. 

The Law didn't save Abraham. Circumcision did not save Abraham. Abraham’s faith saved him. And his works reflected his salvation. 

Situation 2 (James 2:25): Rahab 

James’s second example is Rahab, who is a very contrasting character compared to Abraham.

Joshua 2 & 6 

The text suggests Rahab was an immoral person, and yet she was saved. She ultimately became the mother of Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth is one of the few Jewish women who is named in the genealogy, the genealogy of Jesus Christ! Abraham was a Jew who was righteous.

Rahab was a gentile who was a prostitute. These are two very different people! Compare to Abraham, Rahab was significantly insignificant. Yet, she makes what we colloquially refer to as the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11)!

James would probably call this the Hall of Works.

Hebrews 11

How do we know these men/women walked by faith? By their works! This passage didn’t just list the names off. The author further elaborated in what they DID by faith! What was Noah's testimony? His making of the ark! Was making the ark the important thing? No. It was the demonstration of his faith! 

Luke 12:48

To those who have been given more, more will be expected! 

2 Corinthians 13:5

Check our faith and prove ourselves!

Some propose that there are two stages to a Christian life:

1) Jesus is our Savior.

2) Jesus is our Lord. 

We may be saved, but do we submit to Jesus?

What would James think about that? Judging by his writing, James would likely say that faith without submission to Jesus Christ is not genuine faith at all.

James is not calling for deeds instead of faith. He is calling for deeds in completion of faith. He is not calling us to do more. He is calling us to do things differently.

Abraham placed his son on the altar, because he loved God more than his son. Isaac laid himself on the altar because he loved God more than himself.

What do we put above God in our lives? We want to place on the altar. God is not number one on our lists of top 10. God is number one on our list of one!