Daily Bread- James 2: 1 - 26
Daily Bread
James 2: 1 - 26
Jam 2:1
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.
Jam 2:2
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
Jam 2:3
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
Jam 2:4
have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Jam 2:5
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Jam 2:6
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Jam 2:7
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Jam 2:8
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
Jam 2:9
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Jam 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Jam 2:11
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Jam 2:12
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
Jam 2:13
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
Jam 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Jam 2:15
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
Jam 2:16
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
Jam 2:17
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Jam 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Jam 2:19
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.
Jam 2:20
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless
Jam 2:21
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Jam 2:22
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Jam 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God's friend.
Jam 2:24
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
Jam 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
Jam 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
All Glory to Jesus Christ,
Kerry Dale Hancock Jr
messenger in CHRIST
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
6 comments:
These scriptures remind me of; do not be only hearers of the word but doers. We must show outwardly what we have inwardly. By doing this we will naturally help our brothers and sisters in need and not cast judgement upon no one because as the bible says; sin is sin. Our actions and will start from our heart and then our actions should reflect upon the desires of our heart. Blessings to everyone in the name of Jesus Christ.
This passage is something that is evident today, both in actual life and what I have been hearing all around the world. We categorize people in such a way where we tend to go with the successful ones and forget about people who need our help even if it is just in the moral aspect. People are afraid to fall. They simply want to be where the “money” is or where they can benefit.
People who are down should not always be seen as such. It will come to a point where things would look up and they would reach what rich people have already accomplished. Why do people have to be so closed minded in such areas of respect? It is unfortunate yet also uncanny. People are simply too afraid of stumbling when in fact it is through stumbling and falling to which they would learn to grow and mature.
We were not empowered by God to judge others. We were given minds not to do so. However, anyone in need for the right and proper reason should be helped in whatever way possible. It does not necessarily mean that a person should be able to give in to the entire needs. The though of giving in itself is a warm feeling that people should consider. It is the best feeling to provide support and a helping hand that asks nothing for return.
The passage tells us we should show what we learn from the scriptures through deeds --- in the words we say to other people, in how we treat those who are around us.
Even if we have a great understanding of God's words, even if we have mastered the Bible, if we don't live by these teachings through our deeds and actions, it will all be useless and inadequate.
Jam 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Action speaks louder, as they say.
The passage tells us we should show what we learn from the scriptures through deeds --- in the words we say to other people, in how we treat those who are around us.
Even if we have a great understanding of God's words, even if we have mastered the Bible, if we don't live by these teachings through our deeds and actions, it will all be useless and inadequate.
Jam 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Action speaks louder, as they say.
The reading warns us of the folly of favoritism. Indeed favoritism is one of the less publicized no-nos of a good Christian but still one would be wise to rise against it. The second part deals with faith with action. Faith should always be intertwined with deeds, if not then its just hypocrisy.
The reading affirms me today that our faith must really be translated into actions.
Even in Jesus' teachings He said "Love God with all your heart mind, soul and strength" and "Love thy neighbor as you love yourself".
I feel blessed and privilege that God gave me the grace to be able to do both. Currently I am leading a group of young single men and women to grow closer in the Lord as well help our less-fortunate brothers and sisters through Gawad Kalinga. Helping them build homes and a community for them to lived on.
It is not easy, at times frustrating and involves a lot of time and especially resources (financially) but then again, the Lord didn't fail me and has not failed me.
To God be the Glory!
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