James 2
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Don't look up to any person. There is only One to be glorified. There is only One you put your faith in.
2 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;
Two that come to hear Gods Word, rich of worldly things and poor are equal in the sight of God. It's what lives inside that counts.
3 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:
Treat everyone as the equal they are. There is not one human class above another on this planet.
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
When you think of yourself above another, your not judging in righteousness but in evil.
5 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?
Money, works and things don't get you into heaven. Christ Jesus is The only Way. Sadly that goes against many teachings today. The prosperity teachings are of satan and many teach it is but one of many ways to life everlasting. FALSE! I'll let you figure out who they are. They're everywhere on TV. Christ says otherwise. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Evil dresses in many different clothes. Some look like millionaires and some will look like they're homeless. Judge in righteousness = what is right. You may ask, "How do I know what is right or wrong"? You STUDY God's Word. It's The Manual for life in the flesh.
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Are you called that worthy name? "Christian"? We judge in righteousness not by their clothing. Show them how a Christian behaves.
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Do you want to hear the truth? Do you want to see yourself in heaven? Tell them about Christ, that's love you don't hold for yourself.
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Treat EVERYONE equal and you don't have to worry about this sin.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
That's right! The law is still in effect. Christ came to fulfill, not to change it. Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. It's not "ALL FULFILLED" yet. A "jot" is a word and a "tittle" is at the end of a sentence such as a period. It's ALL for us today as it was yesterday.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not murder. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou murder, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
It's that simple. Thank God He sent His Son for us, as we fall, we also have repentance within our hearts, we ARE forgiven.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
If you're telling someone they must do or not do, you better follow it also. This goes for Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. Same idea!
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
We will get what we deserve. Reward or punishment is totally up to each of us.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
What good are you if you don't do something with your belief? We aren't saved by works, but you better believe doing nothing isn't Christian.
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
A Christian helps cover and feed them. At the same time a Christian will use common sense and teach them to do things themselves when you see they can. Don't be a door mat in a entitlement society.
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
If someone ask for help and while helping them you don't take the time to plant God's Word, you miss giving a real blessing to them. If you refuse to help them, they would never listen to anything you have to say to them. Be fruitful in your works.
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Just as works without Faith in Christ is void of its meaning so is faith without works. If your soul is ready, so should your flesh be while here, having something to do other than sit around waiting? Christ came and showed us The Way, He didn't come waiting to die for us.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
True Faith and Works go hand in hand. Christian = Christ like and we know how to get things done.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Saying you're a believer in Christ isn't enough. satan knows Christ yet chooses evil over good. Do good brothers and sisters. Get to work! What we do or don't do is written in The Book of life. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
ARE YOU A Christian? Then show it in EVERYTHING you do. Christians are can do people of God. Get up and get busy. When you have Faith, you do The work of The Lord. NO REAL Christ is going to sit around saying they're "Christian". That would mean you have a dead faith. Real Faith does what is necessary, knowing God has your back, sides, front and above to get the job done in good works.
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham knew God had a purpose for what He asked. God has a purpose for what He asks of us and we don't have to sacrifice a loved one. All we have to do is Repent and follow Him. Christ set a path for us that love Him. Study His letter to us, The Bible and see blessings flow.
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
You can say things all day long, until you do the things you say with your actions, they are just words.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Are you being a friend to God? Friends show love. Do you give Him any time each day in the life He has given you?
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Haven't you heard, "Actions speak louder than words."
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Two spies of Israel went into Jericho and Rehab protected God's servants. She hid them then lowered them over the wall and gave instructions to avoid capture. Remember she wasn't a "harlot" in the sense of the word today. She was a very a successful women in business. Christ Jesus came from the bloodline of Rehab, Ref. Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; (Through Jesse would come David in which Jesus came. This is The Key of David.)
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Your actions define who you are and what you believe in.