Note for study: The Word of God is powerful and full bodied.
These are some thoughts on James Chapter 2.
The hope for all of us is that we hear from the Lord as we read
and integrate what we have learned into our lives.
This is by no means every explanation possible.
The word of God is alive and this is just what the Lord exposed to me.
Keep digging for more, the riches and richness of God’s treasure
is way beyond one person or any certain teaching.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. v 1
This reminds me of when Samuel had been told by the Lord
that the new king was in the house of Jesse.
So, Samuel came to anoint one of the sons to be king and one after another, Jesse brought his sons to Samuel.
The Lord knew Samuel was going to look on the outward appearance.
David was not mature yet. God warned Samuel:
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Finally after seeing all Jesse’s sons: And Samuel said unto Jesse,
Are here all thy children? And he said,
There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him:
for we will not sit down till he come hither.
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy,
and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.
And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:11-13
Can we get to that point? With God’s help, yes.
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring,
in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; v 2
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,
and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor,
Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: v 3
Are ye not then partial in yourselves,
and are become judges of evil thoughts? v 4
If we judge by the outward appearance, we are missing it.
Hearken, my beloved brethren,
Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith,
and heirs of the kingdom
which He hath promised to them that love Him? v 5
That means it is a blessing in this world not to have much wealth,
even to be poor. The rich do not need God much.
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal,
and take the name of my God in vain. Proverbs 30:8-9
Lord, give me just the right amount that I may serve you.
But ye have despised the poor.
Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? v 6
He is talking to some who have given the rich a higher position in the kingdom where God looks on the heart.
Remember how Jesus honored the woman
who put in two coins of little value?
And Jesus sat over against the treasury,
and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury:
and many that were rich cast in much.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing.
And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in,
than all they which have cast into the treasury:
For all they did cast in of their abundance;
but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Mark 12:41-44
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? v 7
Many who are rich serve money and do not have much respect for God.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
And let us not forget:
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: v 8
Jesus was kind to the evil and the unthankful.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;
and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin,
and are convinced of the law as transgressors. v 9
God is not impressed with any thing in this world that elevates humans.
We are to not look on the outward appearance
nor are we to treat any person with more respect than another.
But He answered and said unto him that told Him,
Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said,
Behold My mother and My brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven,
the same is My brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:48-50
This also goes along with leaving all behind to follow Him:
And he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Luke 5:28
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all. v 10
If you are going to follow the Law and live by the Law and trust in the Law,
there will be no mercy for you.
The Law is impossible to follow, so don’t trust in your own righteousness.
Trust in the Lord, fear Him and hope for His mercy.
And He said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee,
and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee;
and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,
and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. Exodus 33:19
Keep your heart clean and pure before the Lord not boasting in your own good works, for His mercy is what we should give and hope to receive.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36
For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.
Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill,
thou art become a transgressor of the law. v 11
Even so have these also now not believed,
that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. Romans 11:31
Be an example of that mercy that has been shown to you and extend it
that others may believe.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that
the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. v 12
The Law of Liberty? That is different than the Law.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
For He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. v 13
When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ we will desire His mercy.
So, freely share it with others.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7