James (written)

Monday, 8 July 2019

For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. James 2:11

James now reveals how the words of the previous verse are true. He had said, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Now he says, “For he who said.” This is speaking of the Lord who is the Lawgiver. The law came through Moses, but it is the Lord who spoke it forth first. In fact, the two commands now cited were spoken directly from the Lord to the people at Mount Sinai –

“Do not commit adultery.”
“Do not murder.”

Because they both issue forth from the same Source, and because they are a part of one set of commands, breaking either is to break the whole body of law in which they are included. This is why James says, “Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder.”

Who is to say that doing one, but not the other, is acceptable? They both fall under the same law. And those commands which seem of less weight, such as coveting, can actually be the very source of violating the others. When one covets another’s wife, it can lead to adultery. When one covets another’s possessions, it can lead to theft or even to murder. Thus, in violating any precept of the law “you have become a transgressor of the law.”

Leviticus 18:5, a part of the law, says to the people, “You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Is there any person in Israel’s recorded history from the time of the giving of the law until the coming of Christ that is still alive? No. They are all dead. From Moses and Aaron and then through all of the judges, kings, and prophets, all are dead. They did not do the things of the law.

Only in the coming of Christ is found One who did the things of the law, and He lives. His death was not because of a violation of the law on His part. Rather, it was for violations of the law by us. The fact that He came out of the grave demonstrates that He did not die for His own sin, but as a Substitute for ours. It is we who are transgressors – or those who go beyond the line – of the law. It is we who need redemption from the law, and it is Christ who accomplished that for us by never going beyond the law.

Life application: Why would James pick such a seemingly harsh commandment, such as not committing murder, to be the standard he uses? Most people have obviously never committed murder. They would be aghast at even the thought of it. But in reality, we are all guilty of this sin. According to God’s standard which Jesus revealed to us it says –

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Matthew 5:21, 22

God looks at the intent of our hearts. None of us have gone without hating another. Likewise, most of us have looked at another in lust and are guilty of adultery. Like coveting, the heart is what is evaluated by God, even if there is no external acting upon what the heart inclines toward.

All of this shows sin for what it is – utterly sinful. It also shows us our great need for Jesus’ perfect righteousness. Without His shed blood, we are utterly condemned, not just by our actions, but by our intent. O God, thank You for Jesus!

Lord, we have fallen so very short of Your perfection. Our thoughts are filled with that which is wrong and our hearts have been intent on evil. Forgive us of our faults – not because we deserve it, but because of Jesus, our only Hope and our Savior. We place ourselves completely in His hands and accept what He did for us. Thank You, O God, for our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, 7 July 2019

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

James now explains what was left ready to be stated in the previous verses. He just spoke of the “royal law” in verse 8. That concerned loving one’s neighbor as we love ourselves. From there, he said that if one follows through with this, he does well. However, he says that if you show partiality (something we all have done), you “are convicted by the law as transgressors.” With that in mind, and knowing that we have all failed to love our neighbor as ourselves at one time or another, he says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law.”

The idea here is that of someone who has been meticulous in every precept of the Law of Moses, doing all that is required of him in a line by line adherence to what it says, but yet he is to “stumble in one point.” In this, there is a problem.

The imagery here is a person who is walking along through life, and during his walk he is applying the Law of Moses to that walk perfectly. But while he was busy attempting to earn God’s favor through every minute precept, he fails to see the little rock in his path. It is a rock of loving his neighbor as himself, and he stumbles over it.

This person was so consumed with his own attempt at being righteous before God that he ignored the fact that there are others who are also living out their lives. Some are like him – well dressed, meticulous in adherence to the law, and refraining from sin. But, along comes someone who is shabby, who has failed to adhere to the law, and who has lived a life of sin.

However, this person knows that he has sinned, and he knows that he is in need of God’s mercy. Despite this, Mr. Meticulous shows favoritism against Frank Failure, knowing that he and his friends are so much more righteous than Frank. He has stumbled in a point of the very law he has been so faithful to adhere to. And the result? James says, “he is guilty of all.”

The meaning is that he is held fast by the condemning power of the law. The Law of Moses is a codified body of law. It is not merely a compilation of 613 laws that must be individually kept without connection to the others. Rather, it is one body of 613 laws. To break one is to break the entire body. As Charles Ellicott says –

“As a chain is snapped by failure of the weakest link, so the whole Law, in its harmony and completeness as beheld by God, is broken by one offence of one man; and the penalty falls, of its own natural weight and incidence, on the culprit.”

Jesus made this point perfectly clear when speaking to those of Israel who were like Mr. Meticulous –

“‘“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”’” Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee looked to his own righteousness because he meticulously obeyed all of the precepts of the law which could be externally evaluated. However, at the same time, he stood before God as a law-breaker. He had violated a law which could only be read by God because it is a law of the heart. His heart revealed his true character, and the law was broken. In this, he became guilty of all.

Life application: When witnessing to others, this is one of the best verses to make a logical defense for their need for Jesus. Another verse which is often used is –

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

However, many will dismiss Romans 3:23 unless further explanation is given. In order to make this sink in, ask them a direct question such as, “Have you ever told a lie?” Only a liar would say, “No.” Almost everyone will say, “Yes, of course I have.” Once they admit this, you can introduce James 2:10. “Well, the Bible says if you stumble at just one point you are guilty of breaking the whole law.”

When he hears this, it gives him a definite point to consider. Re-explaining the verse in another way will usually solidify your point. “The Ten Commandments form the basis of ‘the Law’ and they’re a unified whole. If you break any part of ‘the Law,’ you have broken the whole law.”

This is the point when most people begin to understand their separation from God. It doesn’t matter if you have lied, murdered, been disobedient to your parents, bowed down to an idol, or showed favoritism. Any infraction breaks the whole law.

Take time to memorize James 2:10, and consider how you can weave it into a proper application of a Gospel presentation. It truly can be a turning point in someone’s life. So think on it, use it, and then explain the great mercy of God who would forgive such a violation because of His great love for His people.

Lord God, thank you for those verses which convict us of our sin. When we understand that just one infraction of the law separates us from You, it helps us to understand how immense is Your mercy towards us. We have violated Your law so many times, and yet because of Jesus, You grant us pardon. Thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus who reconciles us to You. Amen.

Saturday, 6 July 2019

…but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:9

James just cited the royal law which is that, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He now shows that “if you show partiality, you commit sin.” The word translated as “you show partiality” is found only here in the Bible. It indicates favoring an individual, and the idea is that of doing so over others.

God has given the royal law which disallows any type of unjust partiality in our dealings with others. We are to treat all the same. In showing partiality, we therefore commit sin.

The word translated as “commit” is one which signifies “to work.” Therefore, it says more specifically, “you work sin.” Further, the word “sin” is in the emphatic position. The Greek reads, “sin you are working.” There is a high stress on the consequences of showing partiality and the negative connotations which accompany such an act. In the commission of the act, James then says that you “are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

A person can show favoritism outwardly where others see it, or they can do so without anyone else knowing it. Thus, like coveting, this is as much a sin of the heart as it is something which can be actively committed. As the Lord reads the hearts and minds of man, there is no escaping the act, from the moment it germinates in the heart to the time that the act actually occurs.

In showing favoritism, we err against the written law of God. James will explain what this means in the next verse, but even without that further explanation, we can see the far-reaching and all-encompassing condemnation which surely arises from the Law of Moses. It is a “body of death” as Paul calls it in Romans 7:24.

We cannot escape the thoughts of our heart and the evil inclinations which are buried there. They come forth even when we try to extinguish them, and they bring about only condemnation. As Paul called out concerning this state, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” His answer comes in verse 7:25, “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Life application: Jesus Himself said that all the law and the prophets (the entire Old Covenant) hang on our loving God with all of our being and on loving our neighbors just as we would love ourselves. The impossibility of meeting these two laws is revealed in our daily breaking of the other points of the law in a thousand ways. The good news is that although we all have fallen short of this, Jesus didn’t. As He said –

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

Be sure to understand what Jesus is saying. In His ministry, He was accused of violating the very law He came to fulfill. Instead, He fulfilled it. This was done on our behalf and it is the reason that we are not under the law. The law was not made obsolete by Jesus’ inaction; it was made obsolete by His actions.

This still doesn’t excuse us when we show favoritism, but it allows forgiveness when we do. It should be our aim to live a life of honoring God and of loving our neighbor, but when we fall short, there is mercy and forgiveness in the blood of Christ.

James’ words should convict every person that they have fallen short of God’s glory and are in need of an advocate. There is one! His name is Jesus and He shows no favoritism. He is willing to forgive all who call on His name. Take time today to tell someone else about His wonderful gift.

Thank You so very much, O God, for Jesus! Though I’ve shown favoritism a thousand times and failed to love my neighbor as myself again and again, I know there is power in the wonder-working life of my Lord and Savior! Where I failed, He prevailed. And so to Him belongs my heart and my joy! Thank You, O God, for Jesus! Amen.

Friday, 5 July 2019

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; James 2:8

James is now speaking to those who would presume to show preference to the rich within the congregation. In verse 2:6, he said, “But you have dishonored the poor man.” He is making an example for each person to consider. He is not saying that each person has done this, but that it is an inclination that anyone could be prone to. Now, to contrast dishonoring the poor man, he says, “If you really fulfill the royal law.”

Those who had shown preference had failed and had not done what was right. Now, he shows them how to correct this by fulfilling the “royal law.” The meaning of the term “royal law” is debated, but Albert Barnes gives what is probably the best sense of what it signifies –

“It is called a ‘royal law,’ or kingly law, on account of its excellence or nobleness; not because it is ordained by God as a king, but because it has some such prominence and importance among other laws as a king has among other men; that is, it is majestic, noble, worthy of veneration. It is a law which ought to govern and direct us in all our intercourse with men – as a king rules his subjects.”

He is correct in this. Jesus exalted this law to a preeminent position. When questioned by an expert in the law concerning which was the greatest commandment, we read –

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Thus, as can be seen, from both the Old and New Testaments, this is “according to the Scripture.” Jesus placed loving God above all else, and then loving one’s neighbor as one loves himself. Thus, it is a “royal law,” having all of the weight and majesty of the very words of God and a precept worthy of our full attention and application to our lives.

In doing this, James says, “you do well.” In other words, there is commendation in store for you. If this precept is properly applied as given, then you are doing what is just, right, and acceptable in God’s eyes. The poor person is no less a neighbor than the rich, and so he is to be loved as a neighbor, despite his state.

Life application: The reference that James is quoting is Leviticus 19:18 –

“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

This is a book that few people read and this is a verse that is found in the middle of many other laws and rules. As one can see, though seemingly insignificant because of its placement, it is considered by the Lord as a part of the preeminent duties of man. This shows us how important it is to be well-versed in the Old Testament as well as the New. It is in this that we can understand how Jesus came to utter His words as He did.

Because James is dealing with treating others fairly as a sign of true Christian devotion, he repeats Jesus’ words. If “all the Law and the Prophets” hang on these two commandments, then we need to be extremely careful how we treat others – particularly in matters of judgment about how we accept them. If Christ has accepted them, how much more should we.

One thing is for sure, Lord God, we don’t want to fight against You. So open our hearts to be accepting of our neighbors, and to love them, even as we love ourselves. And Lord, give us the ability to put You first in our lives every moment of every day; loving you with our my hearts, souls, and minds. We know things will be in the proper perspective if we follow these holy guides. Amen.

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? James 2:7

James, still speaking of the wealthy, asks another rhetorical question with the words, “Do they not blaspheme that noble name…?” The word “they” is in the emphatic position, and is thus to be stressed, “Do THEY not blaspheme that noble name?”

James has been speaking of those who come into the meeting of believers, and so it can be assumed that this is even speaking of someone who only claims to be such as well. And yet, he asks the question as if even the wealthy believer is known to do this. The word translated as blaspheme signifies to refuse to acknowledge good, meaning that which is worthy of respect. In this, it is a reversal of moral values.

What appears to be the case, because this is speaking of believers (or supposed believers), is that even in their state as such, they bring discredit upon the name of Christ by their refusal to acknowledge the equality of believers who are less wealthy than they are. That is seen in the words, “by which you are called.”

All believers have the name of Christ upon them. This type of thought goes back even to the Law of Moses. In the Greek translation of Deuteronomy 28:10, the name of the Lord is called upon the people of Israel –

“Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.”

Likewise, the thought is seen several more times in the Old Testament, such as in Amos 9:12 –

“‘That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
Says the Lord who does this thing.”

James then cites this passage from Amos 9 in the decision rendered in Acts 15 concerning the inclusion of the Gentiles into the New Covenant. The name of Jesus is called upon His people, such as in the act of baptism, where believers are commanded to be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The Greek of Matthew 28:19 refers to the “name” in the singular. In other words, there is one name which identifies the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When a person is baptized, he is baptized into the name of the Triune God.

As this name rests upon all believers, and as the wealthy bring discredit upon the poor believers, then they are blaspheming the name which rests upon those same poor believers. The name rests upon them, and they are just as “in Christ” as any other person – regardless of any other distinction, including temporary, earthly wealth.

Life application: The rich and famous normally become so out of touch with reality that they begin to think of themselves as mini-gods. This will happen because people follow them around and throw themselves at them without a second thought. They are sought out for perceived wisdom even if they lack any true common sense or deep intelligence at all. The powerful, having such control over others, will also develop an aggravated sense of their own worth.

Look at the vast majority of those in power in Washington today. Their actions and votes indicate high arrogance; voting contrary to what is right in order to further their own petty goals.

Anyone who would actively support the murder of unborn children and call it good brings slander upon the name of the Creator. Those who attempt to control the free exercise of speech or faith likewise discredit the name of God. This is because it is the Christian’s duty to spread the gospel in each and every possible circumstance.

When that right is hindered in any way, it slanders the name of the Lord because it was He who ordained that His message go forth. How much worse then is such an attitude when held by a supposed believer in Christ. Don’t look at the lesser issues or actions of those you admire. Instead, look at their treatment of the name and gospel of Jesus Christ. This is how you gauge the true person.

Heavenly Father, please give us discerning eyes to see the true person and not to look at superficial matters that can distract our attention. Help us never to show favoritism because of wealth, power, or position. Help us not to decide matters upon color of skin or ethnicity as well. Instead, keep our eyes focused on a person’s admiration and exaltation of You as the true measure of who he is. Amen.