[:en]FAVORITISM FORBIDDEN (vs. 1-13)
Do not show favoritism by giving special attention to the rich while neglecting the poor. For God had 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. (v. 5)
The royal law in the Scripture is to love your neighbor as yourself. But if you show favoritism, you sin and become a lawbreaker.
We are saved by God’s free gift (grace) through faith not by keeping the law. But as Christians, we are required to obey Christ. God’s grace does not cancel our duty to obey Him. The law is no longer an external sets of rules but it is a “law that sets us free”
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In His mercy, God forgives our sins. To apprecitate God’s mercy, do not withhold forgiveness from others.
FAITH & DEEDS (vs. 14-26)
True faith transforms our conduct and thoughts. If our life remains unchanged, we don’t truly believe the truth. Deeds of loving service is a verification of our faith in Christ.
Paul emphasized that salvation comes from faith alone and not by works. Does it contradict with James saying that faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is deed” (v. 17) and faith without deeds is useless.
Deeper analysis shows that the teaching of James and Paul are not in contrast. It is true that good deeds cannot justify us and earn us salvation but true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul spoke against those whotried to be saved by deeds instead of faith. James spoke against those who confuse mere intellectual assent without tur faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is but they don’t obey Him. (v. 10) True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God in obedience to His Word.
Abraham was declared right with God from what he did because he believed God. (Rom. 4:15) Rahab demonstraded faith in God by hiding the Israelite’s spies and helping them to escape. Therefore, we are not justified by what we do, but true faith always results in good deeds. Active obedience to God’s word is the proof that our faith is genuine.
In conclusion James said: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deed is dead” (v. .26)
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