No one likes to feel rejected, especially when one comes to church. The church is where, of all places, one should feel welcomed. We all seek to be loved and accepted. If one is rejected, especially for reasons that one cannot help, it is a terrible feeling. In our Scripture passage today James talks about two important issues which we will look into. Rejecting some folks while showing favoritism and partiality to others at church is the first, and in the second James takes a look at the works versus faith debate. Let’s start with a look at the first issue.
James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, wrote this epistle to the church, where he gives many practical lessons for believers. As chapter two begins James has to scold the church for an issue which he has seen, something that needed to be corrected. This was the practice in many congregations where the local believers were showing favoritism to one group of people, while rejecting or treating in a harsh way another group (vs. 1-4). James had noticed that in many congregations when a wealthy person, one who was well-dressed in nice, expensive clothing came in, they were warmly greeted and welcomed by the believers. The church members made much of them, escorting them to the best seats in the house, made sure they were comfortable, and their every need was attended to. However, if someone who was obviously poor, one who was wearing clothes that looked like they may have been bought in the local second-hand store, came into the church they were told to sit in the back, in the corner, somewhere where they would not be seen in their poor clothes. Or perhaps they were just completely ignored, like they were invisible.
Was this treatment right? Was this the way the Lord Jesus wanted His followers to be acting? James reminded the church that God chose the poor to be rich in faith. He reminded them that it is the rich who are the first to haul you into court with lawsuits (vs. 5-7). This certainly is not an issue that occurred only in the days of the early church. We see this all too often in churches today. In some churches they will readily welcome someone who looks like they are better off financially. Their clothes look fashionable and expensive, they drive nicer vehicles, look like they frequently go to the gym, etc. They are treated like celebrities. However, someone who is poor, especially if they look poor, are treated with scorn or ignored. If some world-famous celebrity came to church, should they be treated any better than the young mother who is currently living in the homeless shelter? Jesus would treat both the same, and so should His followers. We must not judge people by externals, such as wealth, popularity, looks, or position.
There is a second lesson in this portion of Scripture, and that is the spiritual conflict between the belief in salvation by works and salvation by faith. There were those in the days of the Apostles, just as there are today, who believe that one gets into heaven by being good and doing good deeds. The Bible very clearly states that salvation is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We do not get to heaven by being a “good person”. However, as James points out here, a true, genuine salvation will show itself by a change in our actions (vs. 14-18). If good works don’t follow, then it is questionable whether one truly was saved (Ephesians 2:10).
Some people have criticized the Book of James, saying it promotes a “salvation by works”. However, this passage is not talking about what saves or doesn’t save us. It is about how believers should live out their faith. Faith without good works is worthless and useless. We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. Talk is cheap. Living faith always acts in ways that follow the law of love.
James clearly questions how someone can say that they are a Christian, a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus, and then just speak some pious platitudes to a fellow Christian who needs help, and then walk away without helping them. Are they really a Christian? That person may say that they don’t have to do anything to have saving faith. However James says that their actions, their “works” will show that they do, indeed, have saving faith.
True servants of God are merciful to those who need help. They care. They get involved. They offer more than just pious words. God promises that they, in turn, will receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). But those who are disinterested will receive that same type of treatment. Those who reach out and demonstrate mercy will receive it from others and from God. It is one thing to hear the Gospel, and it is another to embrace the Gospel fully and be transformed by it. When we put our faith into action we will reap rewards Faith must always have an accompanying action.
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