I ended my last sermon (Something Profound) with a quote from Martin Luther, so I’ll also begin this one with a nod to Luther.
Luther wanted to remove James, Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation from the New Testament. He particularly disliked the second part of James 2; I’ll address that shortly. This chapter revisits a couple of themes we’ve already explored this year in the Book of Acts, offering James’s helpful reinforcement of two essential truths.
James 2:1-9, My brothers and sisters…
(Gk.) Spiritual kinship among believers. I.e., family.
www.Biblehub.com: “The early Christian community adopted this term to emphasise unity and equality among believers, transcending ethnic and social boundaries. This was revolutionary in a society often divided by class and ethnicity.”
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Truth #1: Wise People Do Not Discriminate
V 1 states James’ main point: believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.
Glorious = God’s goodness to all people, regardless of their station in life. God accepts everyone – we should, too!
Favouritism was common in ancient times, with individuals often receiving preferential treatment based on wealth, nationality, or social connections. James calls on the Christian family to behave counterculturally and reflect the impartiality of God.
James says that if we behave this way, we have discriminated against one another and become judges with evil thoughts. A few verses later, he calls discrimination a sin.
Defn. Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people based on things they have no power over or didn’t choose (ethnicity, age, sex, or disability).
Bayside Church’s Inclusion Statement
At Bayside Church, we believe that every person is created in God’s image. All are equally worthy of respect, dignity, and love, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race, or ethnicity.
Everyone is invited, welcomed, and supported to grow in their relationship with God and each other. Everyone is encouraged to use their gifts and abilities to serve God and others.
At Bayside Church, we are committed to creating a safe space for all – we do this through clear policies and pathways so that everyone can feel safe and nurtured.
At Bayside Church, we courageously love and empower people to become like Jesus.
This statement goes to the heart of our church. We have nailed our colours to the mast—this is who we are and how we will act—and it is firmly based in Scripture:
Galatians 3:28 (NLT): There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:7, Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Q. How has God accepted you? Behave like that!
God is not against wealthy people; numerous rich and devout people appear in the Bible. James teaches that we should not treat widows, orphans, and those less fortunate differently than we treat the wealthy and prosperous. But neither should we discriminate against the rich.
We find a classic example of this in Luke’s gospel (Luke 18 & 19).
(18:43) Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
(19:7) When all the people saw this, they began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
(19:9-10) “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (regardless of their wealth or status).
The opposite of the sin of discrimination is summed up in what James refers to as The Royal Law:
James 2:8-9, If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Amongst all the laws in Scripture, there’s only one law for Christians to follow, and it’s this one: Love your neighbour as yourself. Both Jesus and Paul taught that the royal law sums up (summarises) the Law and the Prophets.
Truth #2: Wise People Possess Active Faith.
Back to Martin Luther and the Reformation:
• “Sola gratia” or grace alone.
• “Sola fide” or faith alone.
These two doctrines emphasise the exclusive role of faith in God’s grace for salvation, so it’s no wonder that Luther considered James to stand against these great truths. But is that true? Let’s find out:
James 2:14 states James’ main point and apparent contradiction with Paul’s teaching of salvation by grace: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (The inferred answer is “No”)
Paul: Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.
Q. How can we reconcile this apparent contradiction?
Two Options:
1. James disagreed with Paul.
Insert Notes
- James presented the other side of the same coin.
Summary Statement: (17) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I will show you my faith by my deeds.
I don’t believe James and Paul contradict each other. James is clarifying the truth by defining genuine faith. You can’t see faith, but you can see its effects (i.e., good works).
James concludes this chapter by referencing two biblical figures—Abraham and Rahab—to illustrate his point, effectively tying the entire chapter together. He begins chapter 2 by stating that believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism. He demonstrates this by contrasting Abraham and Rahab:
Abraham Rahab
A central Bible figure A minor Bible figure
God’s chosen race A Gentile
Respected Scandalous
A Man A Woman
Wealthy Poor
God significantly used both individuals to bring others salvation, safety, and blessings. Both of them were in Jesus’ family line. God doesn’t discriminate, and neither should we.
Discussion Questions
James nails the inappropriate, discriminatory behaviour of Christians of his day. How do you think today’s Christians could address prejudicial behaviour and express tolerance towards others?
Read and discuss Bayside Church’s Inclusion Statement in light of James chapter 2 and the definition of discrimination: “Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people based on things they have no power over or didn’t choose.
Watch this brief explanatory video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb29YFSU60YRead and discuss Romans 2:11, 15:7; and Galatians 3:28.
Discuss James’ statements faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. I will show you my faith by my deeds. How do you demonstrate active, genuine faith? What could you do as a Connect Group to show your faith at work?
The Royal Law resembles The Golden Rule that Jesus introduced into the faith he began: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 7:12). Discuss.
Rahab exhibited a courageous and compassionate faith. She risked her home, resources, family, and safety for God’s plan. And she was not let down. We find a prostitute in the royal line of Christ. How does this demonstrate God’s amazing grace? (Cf. Matt 1:5-6; Hebrews 11:31)