Bible Study - James (5) - Faith on Display in Facing the Enemy - James 4:1-10 - October 2, 2022

 

Bible Study – James (5) – Faith on Display in Facing the Enemy – October 2, 2022

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “James: Living Out Your Faith.”

Our focus scripture is James 4:1-10.

You can stand triumphantly in CHRIST over sin, the world and Satan.

Often, our flesh and the Holy Spirit war against each other after we experience the miracle of Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS. Satan loves to cause dissension among brothers and sisters in CHRIST. When we, who know the truth, allow our flesh desires to take over and rule our lives, there will be trouble within our body. This often spills over into our relationships and the brick-and-mortar church where we attend. James saw this and wrote to fellow Christians to warn them that they cannot serve two masters, the flesh and GOD.

James identified the source of wars and fights as we read on ----

Let’s read James 4:1-3:

Proud or Humble

4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?^[a] 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war.^[b] You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

The source of wars and fights among fellow Christians and people in general comes from conflicts which come from hearts that are clinging to the desires of the flesh, while giving the impression of being spiritual.

Christians, in name only, have difficulty seeing the hand of GOD at work in their lives. Why? Simply, they have not allowed the transforming power of GOD, through faith in JESUS, to fully change their lives. They have not been born-again in their spirit by the transforming power and Spirit of GOD through faith in JESUS, thus, they have an internal war. They may desire to be fully committed to GOD through faith in JESUS but they hold back for many reasons or fears e.g., what will my friends think or can I hold out.

Many of us desire to be spiritual for a number of reasons. Often, being spiritual is good for our business, ego, status in the community, etc. But our true spiritual nature raises its head when we interact with others, especially fellow Christians.

James gives Christians a check list for them to use to measure their true relationship to GOD, through faith in JESUS:

-         Wars and fights among fellow believers come from our hearts.

-         We desire and have not – why?

-         Some have murdered and covet to obtain but you come up empty handed – Keep in mind, hate can equal murder - why?  

-         You go as far as to fight and wage war and you come up empty handed – why?

-         You do not have because you do not ask.

-         Oh, some of you ask but you do not receive because GOD knows your heart and you ask with the wrong motives. You want to have what you ask for to spend on the things that bring you pleasure.

James desired for his readers to focus inward to discover why they were not experiencing the unity and power of a changed life coming from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Were they being led by the Holy Spirit or the flesh? If they were being led by the flesh, what did they need to do?

James continued, as we read on -----

Let’s read James 4:4-5:

⁴ You adulterous people!^[c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So, whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?^[d]

James, in essence, goes back to his original concern, “What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?^”  

The followers of JESUS made a commitment to GOD through faith in JESUS. You asked GOD to forgive you for your sins believing that JESUS paid for your sins, in full. At that instant you became a child of GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth. You were “born-again” in your human spirit. Now, you have broken that covenant by the way you live because you are living according to the dictates of the flesh and not according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. You are still GOD’S Child but you are living according to the flesh.

It is time for those who once asked JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives to ask GOD to examine their lives. The Holy Spirit needs to help them determine whether or not their salvation was real. If so, what they need to do to come back into a covenant relationship and fellowship with GOD.

James gave his readers some points to consider in verses 4 and 5:

⁴ You adulterous people!^[c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So, whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?^[d]

James referred to his readers as an adulterous people. He compared salvation to marriage.  In essence, they had broken their covenant or vow with GOD. GOD had not broken HIS covenant or vow with them. They need for the Holy Spirit to search their hearts to reveal what they need to do to restore their covenant/vow relationship with GOD. Repentance is always a good starting point both in marriage and returning back to having the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

The scripture is clear, GOD is jealous and HE does not share, just as the marriage vow is a convent, so is our eternal relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth. GOD keeps HIS promises and can be trusted. HIS desire is for HIS wayward Children to repent and come back home to HIM.

One might ask, “if a person is Spiritually born into the Family of GOD and they are living a Spiritually adulterous life, what happens to them when they die?” Keep in mind this is a truly Spirit-born person, as we read on ----

In 1 Corinthians 3:15 we read, “¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.” This verse follows Paul describing the building material Christians use to build upon the foundation of CHRIST e.g.  gold, silver and precious stones versus wood, hay and stubble. These building materials will be tested by fire, which do you think will burn up and which will survive the test of fire?

When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, that person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be Spiritually unborn. All who are Spiritually born are done so by the grace of GOD. GOD’S Grace is greater than all of our sin. Therefore, once a person is saved and Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, that person is never Spiritually unborn but their rewards are impacted.

We read in 1 John 1:9-10, “⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Spirit-born people must realize that they sin and they need to confess their sins. Unconfessed sin becomes a barrier to a Spirit-born person’s relationship with GOD. A Spirit-born person does not want anything to block his or her fellowship with GOD. We must keep in mind that Satan is our adversary and he walks around seeking whom to devour. Satan’s desire is to defeat Spiritually born people but greater is GOD WHO is in us than Satan who is in the world. Spirit-born people live in victory but they must claim it when they encounter doubt or attacks from Satan.

GOD is the GOD of second, third, or more chances when a person has been Spiritually born into GOD’S Family. GOD is constantly looking for HIS Children to return home. Take your first step toward returning by asking for forgiveness.

Unconfessed sin is like an unwanted seed in your garden, if left in our lives it sprouts and will take root and cause problems. Deal with issues and struggles quickly. A friend and counselor recognized that he was experiencing signs of mid-life crisis. He told his wife about it and sought her help as he went through that time in his life. Smart man. When you hide or cover up, you become a target of Satan.

I have heard people say that they did not want to bother GOD with small things. That is Satan’s lie. Those who have been Spirit-born have access to GOD 24/7. Bother HIM!!!

Sin is like the frog and water story. If you put a frog in hot water, it will jump out but if you put a frog in a pot of cold water on the stove and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will be cooked to death. GOD has special gifts for HIS Children, which we will see as we read on –

Let’s read James 4:6-10:

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore, he says:

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.^[e]

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Grace is GOD’S gift to those who accept JESUS as their Savior. Those who have been Spirit-born should realize what it required for JESUS to leave HIS home in Glory and come to earth. HE had to live a sinless life and give HIS sinless life to pay for the penalty for sin, in full, by the shedding of HIS blood in death. HE did this for all people but not all people will accept what HE did for them. But we, who know the truth and have accepted JESUS as our Savior, are urged to share this good news with others. James acknowledged the fact that Satan is a Spirit-born person’s adversary and seeks to destroy their relationship with GOD.

Do Not give Satan a place in your life where he can enter your life. Submit your life to GOD and GOD gives HIS Children a promise, “submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

James gave his readers then and us today the sequence of steps for Spirit-born people to live their lives upon earth:

-         Submit to GOD – that is to place oneself under the authority of GOD. Often, we try to manage the things in our lives ourselves. Those who have been Spirit-born have GOD to come to their aid. Some want to be macho and hold GOD’S help for more serious issues. DO NOT DO THAT. Go to GOD with all your cares for HE cares for you. Remember the frog in the water. Satan desires to cook you Spiritually. GOD urges you to come to HIM, 24/7, with all issues that concern you. What is GOD’s promise to us when we submit ourselves to HIM? Let’s keep reading ---

-         When you become a Christian, you have an enemy. The enemy is Satan, who orchestrates some things in your life to confuse you and cause you to stumble. So, what are Spirit-born Christians to do? Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  How do you resist the devil? Read and study GOD’S Word, the Bible. Get to know GOD through HIS Word. Be honest with GOD. Trust GOD. You will be amazed when you ask GOD to reveal truth to you through HIS Word. The Holy Spirit will open your Spiritual eyes to truth, hope and increase your faith in GOD.

-         What is your next step? Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Keep in mind that Satan will do all he can to prevent you from rebuilding your relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Satan wants a Christian to think GOD has abandoned you but GOD DOES NOT ABANDON HIS CHILDREN. Remember the parable of the prodigal son or daughter. GOD waits with open arms to welcome you back.

-         Draw near to GOD and HE will draw near to you!!! Drawing near to GOD takes a decision on your part. When you do it builds trust.

When we submit to GOD, we place ourselves under HIS authority which in turn shows our trust in HIM. Trust rebuilds relationship.

How do we rebuild our relationship with GOD? We place any issue we have with GOD on the table and ask HIM to help us to understand why it is an issue and search for the answer in the Bible and pray as the Holy Spirit leads us to answers.

Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Notice the order – from our sinful hands and doubtful hearts, to repent from a life of pleasure due to sin. We must repent from a life of sinful pleasure to Godly sorrow for our sins and seek renewing and restoration of our relationship with GOD.

The sin of “double-mindedness” is doubt. The key to remove doubt is to seek the truth from GOD. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. But you must go to GOD and HIS Word for your answers. The idea is to keep on seeking and keep on knocking as you trust GOD for the answer. Yes, we can go to our pastor, Christian friends or Christian counselors.

We are to confess our sins. When we do, the shed blood of JESUS cleanses and removes the sin barrier. Spirit-born people cannot serve two masters. We are to choose who we will serve, GOD through faith in JESUS, the world, Satan or ourselves. Choose carefully my friends!

We read in Revelation 3:16 - ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit^[a] you out of my mouth.

GOD desires for us to make a choice and serve HIM. If we stump our toes, HE does not kick us out of HIS house. When we confess our sin and ask for forgiveness, HE does and restores. GOD wants us to submit to HIM and draw near to HIM and in doing so, we acknowledge our faith and trust in HIM through faith in JESUS. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - James (4) - Faith on Display in Your Conversations - James 3:1-18 - September 25, 2022

 

Bible Study – James (4) – Faith on Display in Your Conversations – September 25, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “James: Living Out Your Faith.”

Our focus scripture is James 3:1-5a, 9-10, 13-18.

When you rely on GOD, your words reflect HIS character.

In essence, James was talking about what flows from our innermost being, “the eyes of our hearts.” The very core of our being is where truth or error reside. Is what we are saying truth or fiction?

Each Spirit-born person is a spring of living water and it is vital for us to be cognizant of what we say to others. Words can be healing or devastating. We, who know the truth of JESUS and salvation through faith in JESUS, are responsible for our words; especially those who teach.

We, who are Spirit-born, need to listen to and evaluate against GOD’S Word what flows from our hearts through our mouths in speech. Our words will reveal to us, truth or error. We can get carried away with the praise of others and we may embellish the truth to curry more favor from others.  We who teach, must reflect on what we teach and make certain what we say and how we live are consistent with the teachings of JESUS and GOD’S Word. What resides in our hearts reveals truth or error. We who teach will be measured by our own teaching.

We read in 1 Peter 3:7 ⁷ Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read James 3:1-5a:

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers,^[a] because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. ² For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. Both teaching GOD’S Word and general education. All are accountable but most especially those who teach GOD’S Word.

Teaching is a gift and it carries responsibilities, such as being good to one’s wife or spouse and teaching, applying, speaking and living truth as we glean from GOD’S Word. Our walk must match our talk.

What can help us to live as we teach others how to live? Keep what we say under control!

 ³ Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. ⁴ And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. ⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed^[b] among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷ Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James illustrated the power of the tongue. It is a small part of the human body but it is most powerful. James compared the tongue to small things in life that control large things, such as a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder that controls a big ship, especially in storms. Also, how a small fire can start a large fire and destroy a large forest.

As children, when our fellow playmates would say harsh words to us, we would respond with – “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will not hurt me.” That saying is not true. Words do hurt and can cause severe damage to others.

Some people use words to entice or talk others into buying things they cannot afford. Words can bring healing, hope, joy or hurt, sadness or despair. Words can be spoken in love or in hate.

What determines how words are spoken? Let’s keep exploring.

Let’s read James 3:9-10:

⁹ With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The tongue must be under the authority of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The tongue is powerful and rules the body unless tamed. Who or what can rule our bodies?

It can be drugs, hatred, sex, lust, lying, deceit, or love, compassion, truth, and the lists go on. It is when our lives and tongue are controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are most effective. When we pause and seek our LORD’S guidance, it gives us an opportunity to go from off the cuff remakes to thoughtful remarks. The spoken words can achieve their intended results without breaking relationships. GOD desires for us to speak words of wisdom and truth.

James uses three wonderful illustrations - As a Spirit-born person, we represent GOD and JESUS to others, therefore, we need to be cognizant of who we are - ¹¹ Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The response to these three illustrations is “no!”

As Spirit-born people, we have been born into GOD’S Family and the living water produced by the Holy Spirit flows from within each of us.

As Spirit-born people, we have access to GOD and HIS wisdom.

James is building a Spiritual foundation upon which we can build. He wants those who are Spiritual to reflect on what he is writing and apply it. He writes about wisdom. True wisdom comes from GOD but there is an earthly wisdom that comes from other sources and often is thought to be from GOD. So, how does one know the difference? Let’s read on -

Let’s read James 3:13-18:

The Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Let’s go back to verse 13 - ¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

What is the source of gentleness? Written in Galatians 5: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Notice “fruit” is singular.

As Spirit-born people the Holy Spirit resides within our bodies and produces Spiritual fruit. This is part of our Spiritual DNA which is present within all Spirit-born people but it has to be developed.

We need to keep in mind that “iron sharpens iron” and GOD’S Word sharpens all who are Spirit-born and helps us to grow and develop into the image of CHRIST. When we encounter Spiritual challenges in life, they cause us to seek wisdom from GOD. In turn, as we seek, we will find, as we knock the door to wisdom and understanding opens to us. Sometimes, we have to knock long and hard. Why?

As you may recall, Daniel had prayed to GOD and the messenger GOD sent was delayed for 21 days because GOD’S messenger had to fight one of Satan’s minions in Persia.

Much goes on in the spirit world. The Good News is that JESUS conquered Satan and the spirit world by HIS passion. Also, we may not be prepared or ready to receive what we have asked for.

All Spirit-born people are enemies of Satan but they are warriors for JESUS. We must suit up for spiritual battle every day as Paul instructs in Ephesian 6. JESUS has won the victory and we are more than conquerors. First Corinthians 15:57.

Let’s read verses 14-16, “¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 

James was telling all Spirit-born people how to determine whether or not their perceived wisdom had come from GOD. Such boasting reveals that your perceived wisdom did not come from GOD but from Satan and you should keep your mouth shut, until your heart is right with GOD. Satan loves to disguise himself as truth. But we, who know the truth, must test all things to make sure they are true. How do we test? We read and study GOD’S Word and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us. James gives us a test ----

Let’s go back the original question James proposes in verse 13, “¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.”

Let’s read verses 17 and 18 - ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

How do we know, as Spirit-born people, that wisdom and understanding come from GOD? There is worldly wisdom that can make us or others think that a person’s wisdom is from GOD. It can be a deception. Simply be careful and keep your Spiritual eyes open; the eyes-of your heart. Test against what the scripture reveals and what the Holy Spirit confirms or rejects.

I love verse 18, “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”

What is the “fruit of righteousness?” It is, “right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose”. It is reproducible in all Spirit-born people. Our faith in JESUS puts us in right standing with GOD and is confirmed and sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to “cultivate?” It means to take what we have in JESUS and share it with others as GOD gives us opportunity.

What is cultivated needs to be cared for and harvested or else it will spoil.

We read in 1 Corinthians 1:28-31:

²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, ²⁹ so that no one^[g] may boast in his presence. ³⁰ It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption— ³¹ in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^[h]

We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we (all who accept JESUS as their Savior) might become the righteousness of God.

Spirit-born people are made righteous by faith in JESUS and the eternal, cleansing shed blood of JESUS. It is the shed blood of JESUS that seals all Spirit-born people until they are fully redeemed from their earth suits at physical death. At physical death their new Spiritual bodies, fashioned by GOD for Heaven, are released into Heaven. A person’s fashioned body will serve him or her in Heaven until he or she receives his or her permanent, eternal Glorified body like JESUS at HIS second coming. Sow the “fruit of righteousness in peace.” Today is the day of salvation. Blessings!!!

Bible Study- James (3) - Faith on Display in Your Actions - James 2:14-26 - September 18, 2022

 

Bible Study – James (3) – Faith on Display in Your Actions – September 18, 2022

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “James: Living Out Our Faith.”

Our focus scripture is James 2:14-26.

What you believe is seen in what you do.

Let’s read James 2:14-17:

Faith and Works

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

What “good” is it or what “use” or “profit” is it “if” a person claims to have faith but does not have works to confirm it. Faith motivates a person to share. What is one of a Spirit-born person’s most powerful events he or she has that can be shared with others? It is his or her personal testimony when he or she accepted JESUS as his or her Savior!

In earlier verses in our study, the reference to “and sisters” was not in the original manuscript but “sisters” is implied. As we read further in this study today, “and sisters” is not only implied but it is added in original version.

James goes to the heart of a person who confesses JESUS as his or her Savior. A person who confesses JESUS as his or her Savior has been Spiritually born into the Family of GOD and is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter. What does this mean?

In human birth, when the sperm and egg unite it/conception produces a human person. Physical conception takes place. This human person will have certain features and traits based upon his or her mother and dad. The same is true when a person is Spiritually conceived. A Spiritually born person will have certain Spiritual traits/attributes which results from his or her human spirit. Consider the human spirit as the egg. The union of the human spirit/egg with GOD’S Spirit/Divine Spirit results in a person being “born-again” Spiritually. JESUS said this in John 3:3: ³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The Spirit-born person receives his or her Spiritual DNA when the Devine Sperm/the Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit through faith in JESUS. The end result is that person is eternally Spiritually born into GOD’s Family, never to be Spiritually unborn.

What are some of the traits of Spiritual DNA? There are many but we can see a sample in Galatians 5:22-23:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.^[g]

And another sample is in Romans 12:6-8:

⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

These traits have to be developed as GOD guides Spirit-born people along life’s path to bring out and develop these traits/attributes as Spirit-born people do life upon earth.

In verse 14, “if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?” The structure of the question anticipates a negative answer. [Such faith cannot save him, can it?]

James used the word “works” to refer to any kind deed or action a person might carry out. There are many people who do “works” but they are the result of our human nature. Then there are “works” which result from being Spirit-born and led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit led “works” please GOD and reflect our Spiritual development.

What was James telling “born-again” Christians then and us today? In other words, “consider this situation and how you would respond?”  

¹⁵ If a brother “or sister” is without clothes and lacks daily food ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.

Here we read the words “or sister” and they are in the original manuscript. These are fellow Christians.

GOD allows us to be placed in these circumstances to give us an opportunity to exercise our faith. How will we respond? It depends upon our walk with JESUS.

James’s instructions are very clear, when we see a fellow Christian in need and we do not meet that need that is a big clue that we need a Spiritual health checkup. Now, I quickly add, all Spirit-born People need the gift of discernment because there are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Sometimes we have to go with the opportunity, which may be a learning experience.

Let’s read James 2:18-20:

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”^[d] Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

²⁰ Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 

We move from “faith without action is useless” to how faith and works fit together. You can’t have one without the other as a Spirit-born person. In essence, some thought worshipping GOD was all a person needed to do and did not need salvation through faith in JESUS. Such a person failed to see that JESUS’ passion removed the sin barrier that blocks a person’s personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. JESUS fulfilled the law and HIS passion established grace. All people who are Spirit-born are eternally saved from eternal death and given eternal life through faith in the passion of JESUS and GOD’S Grace. This results in a person being Spirit-born into GODS Family.

How often do we hear a person say, “I believe in GOD.” What was James’ reply to that statement? “You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.” Belief in GOD does not cut it. The key is that every person must have a personnel relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual-birth by a person placing one’s faith in JESUS. JESUS left HIS home in Heaven/Glory and came to earth, lived a sinless life and willingly gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin, in full, for all who will accept JESUS as their Savior.

Every person must be born-again in his or her spirit to receive the miracle of Spiritual birth. It is our born-again Spirit that lives eternally with GOD in Heaven until we receive our new Glorified bodies when JESUS returns to earth at HIS second coming.

Today is the day of salvation. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your heart, believing that HE willingly gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay your sin debt in full. If you prayed this prayer thank JESUS for saving your soul and coming into your heart. You are now GOD’S Child through the miracle of Spiritual-birth and your eternal home is Heaven, when you exit this earthly life.

You asked JESUS to forgive you by faith and HE came into your heart. You now possess GOD’S DNA as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. If you are not already in a Bible teaching church, class or study, then ask GOD to lead you to the place HE wants you to be fed Spiritually.

²⁰ Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 

“Senseless person,” refers to those who might think that faith and action are unrelated. Works are one thing but faith is more than saying what we believe, it is walking the talk.

Let’s read James 2:21-26:

²¹ Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,^[e] and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James now moved to highlighting two Old Testament people who lived out their faith – Abraham and Rahab. James wrote about a male and a female who put their faith into action.

I tell you Abraham exhibited extraordinary faith. Now Abraham was not a goodie two-shoes. He had issues during his life. When you consider that GOD asked Abraham to offer Isaac, his only son, as a burnt offering can we understand the magnitude of what GOD was asking him to do.

To offer Isaac as a burnt offering meant reducing Isaac to a pile of ashes. But what faith did Abraham have? Let’s read part of the event as recorded in Genesis 22:1-19: (Note the words in bold type, as you read the scripture.)

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he answered.

² “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

³ So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. ⁴ On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ⁵ Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” [Notice, we’ll come back to you. Abraham was planning to sacrifice Isaac but trusted that GOD would resurrect him from the burnt pile of ashes. Now that is faith in action and a foreshadow of the resurrection of JESUS on the third day.]

⁶ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together.

⁷ Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.”

And he replied, “Here I am, my son.”

Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide^[a] the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.

⁹ When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac^[b] and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.

¹¹ But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

He replied, “Here I am.”

¹² Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” ¹³ Abraham looked up and saw a ram^[c] caught in the thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide,^[d] so today it is said, “It will be provided^[e] on the Lord’s mountain.”

¹⁵ Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven ¹⁶ and said, “By myself I have sworn,” this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, ¹⁷ I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their^[f] enemies. ¹⁸ And all the nations of the earth will be blessed^[g] by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.”

¹⁹ Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba.

Repeat of our scripture – James 2:21-24:

²¹ Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,^[e] and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [It takes both.]

By works, Abraham’s faith was made complete.

Rahab: Repeat of James 2:25-26:

²⁵ In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James was saying just as the human body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without works is dead. As Spirit-born people, GOD expects us to walk the walk and talk the talk. Be genuine. We cannot fool GOD!

GOD gave HIS only SON, JESUS, to die a cruel death upon the cross for my sins and your sins. The shed blood of JESUS paid for our sins in full but we have to accept that fact by faith. How do we know that JESUS is truly GOD’S SON? GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to eternally alive on the third day. JESUS ascended into Heaven and took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS to confirm and eternally seal their salvation and guide their earthly lives. At the death of our physical body, instantly all who are Spirit-born, will be with JESUS in Heaven. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life for all who accept HIM as their Savior and giving them eternal life.

Blessings!!!