James 2 reminds me of my leather work gloves. They have spared me countless blisters and splinters, but they don’t actually do the work. Today’s lesson is about working hands. James continues his letter to “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” with a warning that we “must not show favoritism.” The word used means “partiality”, or pre-judging people. He gives an example of a man entering the synagogue, wearing a “gold ring and fine clothes”, receiving preferential treatment over “a poor man in filthy old clothes.” The synagogue was the center of all social activity, including minor legal disputes. James strongly rebukes this behavior, telling them, you have “become judges with evil thoughts.” That infers a corruption of the heart. James says, “Listen… brothers and sisters”, literally, “pay attention, this is important”. He is not advocating elimination of the law, but avoiding prejudice. God has chosen the “poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom”, and yet, “you have dishonored the poor.” He tells them, you are honoring the very people “who are exploiting you… dragging you into court… blaspheming the noble name.” Billy Graham once said: “The only level ground is at the foot of the cross” where all of us sinners receive forgiveness by faith in the finished work of Messiah. Jesus sees the individual, not a group.
James continues the discussion with what he calls the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. This comes from Leviticus 19, and according to James, is the right way to live. He also adds, “if you show favoritism, you sin.” He explains the sad reality of “judgment without mercy”. There is no room for error: “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” That means to be sinless under the law, you must be perfect. By any measure, we all fall short. He adds, “Judgment without mercy” condemns us all. James urges us to follow the law of liberty; if you desire mercy for yourself, you should also extend mercy to others. He concludes: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Jesus said: “the measure you use… will be measured to you” (Matt 7:2).
For the rest of the chapter, James looks at the correlation between faith and deeds. He asks us to consider whether someone can have true faith without a corresponding action. He gives an example of a brother or sister in need, without clothes or food. We cannot ignore their physical needs with mere words of comfort. James says “faith… is dead… if it is not accompanied by action.” He adds a note of distain for those that do nothing but boast about their faith: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” He adds, faith is much more than just believing in one God: “Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” He uses one of the most revered men in Judaism to make his point: “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did?” He explains that Abraham’s “faith and his actions were working together.” James declares, Abraham’s faith was “made complete by what he did.” Abe was 75 years old when God promised him a son, and land that would become a nation. James quotes Genesis 15: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Abraham’s faith was not a one-time event, but he acted on God’s promise for the next 25 years! He closes the chapter with another story of faith, found in Joshua 2: “Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did.” Rahab was a Gentile in Jericho. She heard of the miraculous victories and believed God had given the children of Israel the land. James says she acted in faith by: “lodging to the spies”. The chapter concludes: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Work gloves without hands are also dead. Friend, is it time to put your faith into action?