A Letter from James - Part 3 "Faith without Works is Dead"

James 2:1-2 ERV
“My dear brothers and sisters, you are believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. So don’t treat some people better than others. Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing very nice clothes and gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.”
James 2:8, 13 and 26 ERV
“One Law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” If you obey this law, you are doing right.
“Yes, you must show mercy to others. If you do not show mercy, then God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the one who shows mercy can stand without fear before the Judge.”
“A person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead. It is the same with faith - faith that does nothing is dead”
Biblical Truths:
A. James 2:1-7: Love all people
1. Favoritism forbidden
2. Everyone should treat equal, no matter if person is rich or poor, free or slave, Jews or Greeks, Deaf or hearing - same minded in Christ Jesus
B. James 2:8-13; The royal law
1. Verse 8: If you really keep the Royal law found in scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourselves’. You are doing right.
2. Verses 12-13: Whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. If you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
3. Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy
C. James 2:14-26: Faith and Works
1. Verse 14: If a person who claims to have faith but does nothing, that Faith is worth nothing that cannot save anyone.
2. Verses 21-25: Examples of faith: Abraham believes God’s promise (Genesis chapter 12 and 17 and 22) - Rahab trusted God to protect her family (Judges chapter 6)
3. Verse 26: for as the Body without spirit is dead, so Faith without works is dead also
Let’s pray for us to keep Faith and also doing what the Lord wants us to do!