James 2 - Favoritism and Works-based Theology(?)

The first seven verses of the chapter speak to our human tendency to show favoritism to people based on their appearance, level of wealth, social standing, etc.  Simply put, according to James, don't do it.  In verses 8-13 we read about why not -- showing favoritism violates the law to love our neighbors as ourselves.  You can google stories about churches that ask people who aren't dressed as well to sit in balconies and stuff like that.  I won't presume to judge; perhaps there are other factors at play, but at first glance that type of policy would seem to fly directly in the face of this passage.  At the very least, it makes you think.

The rest of the chapter gets a little bit controversial, as James writes about the uselessness of a faith that doesn't manifest itself with any behavioral action.  "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds" (v. 18).  Verse 24 is the big one that people have to wrestle with, "You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone."  Does this statement not run in direct opposition to the idea that salvation comes through faith, not by works (see Ephesians 2)?

I found this, and it makes sense to me.  Here's the link if you'd like to read more.

In Romans and Galatians, the apostle Paul has this question in mind: How can a guilty sinner be justified by God? Essentially Paul answers that a sinner is justified by faith in Christ, and not by the merit of his works. That is what we mean by 'sola fide'.

In his letter, James deals with a different question altogether. There is a man who claims to have faith and who assents to the cardinal doctrines of the gospel, including the first, namely, the unity of God. Yet this person is devoid of good works and is full of hypocrisy, so much so, that he insults a poor beggar with pious words without giving him anything. So, says James, can this sort of faith save him? 'What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?'

James is not asking whether a person is saved by faith plus the merit of his good works. He is asking about the kind of faith that saves. He mentions two types, the real and the counterfeit. Works distinguish one from the other: 'Show me your faith without your works; and I will show you my faith by my works.' Real faith is living, manifesting itself in good works; counterfeit faith is dead, barren, the mere assent to doctrine.

James asks, 'Can faith save him?' The answer is simply this: If it is real faith, manifest in good works, yes. But if it is a counterfeit 'faith', no, it cannot save him.

In verse 14, James writes about a person who "claims to have faith but has no deeds".  In this understanding, it isn't the works that make someone righteous before God, but rather the works serve as an indication that the faith in question is authentic, rather than the counterfeit faith that fails to show itself outwardly.  Some might take issue with some of this, but it makes you think.

James 1 - Pure Joy

James is chock full of goodness.  Combining the first sentence of each paragraph in chapter 1 would read like this:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial.  When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."  Don't be deceived my dear brothers.  My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

I guess that reads a little bit choppy, but it provides a nice overview of this chapter and the letter as a whole.  Looking forward to chapter 2.

Hebrews 13 - "Concluding Exhortations"

The NIV titles this chapter "Concluding Exhortations".  A list of what we are being exhorted to do:

v. 1 Keep on loving each other as brothers
v. 2 Show hospitality to strangers
v. 3 Care about prisoners
v. 4 Avoid sexual immorality
v. 5 Avoid greed, be content
v. 9 Stick with the teachers and teaching you know to be reliable
v. 15 Offer a sacrifice of praise
v. 16 Do good and share with others
v. 17 Obey leaders, submit to authority
v. 18 Pray for others
v. 22 Honor these exhortations

And importantly, remember that it is our Lord Jesus who equips us with everything good for doing his will, so that we can even hope to attempt to live out these commands (v. 21).  Our strengths and abilities are not our own, they are gifts of his grace.

Hebrews 12 - Racing With Discipline

We are to shed sin and anything else that keeps us from our goal.  What is our goal?  It is the race marked out for us.  How do we run that race?  By fixing our eyes on Jesus.  Is that always easy to do?  No, the race marked out for us is often difficult.  Why?  Because God is training us.  He is disciplining us, and discipline is usually difficult or painful.  Why would God inflict or allow pain?  Because we are growing and being made more like Him.  We are maturing, learning and gaining strength.  And God is guiding that entire process because of His great love for us.  When we are hurting, when life is hard, we can rest in the knowledge that we have a God who understands, cares and loves perfectly.  He is using our pain to change us and change the world.  His Kingdom cannot be shaken and we are to thankfully come to Him with reverence and awe.  He always accepts us.

Hebrews 11 - By Faith

By my quick unofficial count the phrase "by faith" appears 22 times in the first 31 verses of Hebrews 11.  Clearly we are supposed to see something of what faith can do, such as being taken up to heaven, preserving one's family from a ravaging flood, founding a nation that would change the course of human and eternal history, miraculously delivering a nation from slavery, conquering an impenetrably walled city, and more.

Apparently there's something to this idea of having faith.  And what's more, many of the individuals who are commended for their faith, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, even Noah are portrayed in the Old Testament as being considerably flawed individuals.  Rahab, mentioned in verse 31, was a prostitute of some sort.  The point is, being less than perfect did not disqualify any of these people from being used by God to accomplish things that were amazing and world-changing.  How easy it is for me to feel like my faith is too small or that I'm too imperfect to be used by God, or to even be important to God.

This life is hard.  Verses 36-38 paint that picture well.  But when we faithfully persevere and turn our hearts toward the Lord, we are walking in the footsteps of biblical heroes who were looking for a better country - a heavenly one (v. 16).