Devotions for Monday, September 26, 2011

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

This week’s verses are some of the most disputed verses in the Bible.  We have to look at them carefully, and in context so that we don’t read some things into these verses that aren’t there.  Think about the following:
1. James has already said that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned.  (Check out James 1:17-18).
2. James says in verse 14 “though a man say he hath faith”- so the faith that is being discussed is not faith that is authentic.
James is contrasting authentic faith verses a claim to faith that is dead.
In today’s reading, James is saying that if the faith that we claim is not leading us to do something then the faith that we claim is not authentic God honoring faith at all.  He uses the example of saying to someone, “Be warmed and filled” as a way to deal with their hunger and nakedness.  Is this profitable?  Does it help the problem?  Of course not!  In the same way, a faith that is just a claim, or a faith that is just words and not action is not faith at all.  That’s why James goes on to call this so-called faith, dead faith.  It isn’t faith at all.
Application:
Is your faith leading you to actions today?  What a great test of authenticity!  How can you express your faith with your hands and feet today?

Friday, September 23, 2011

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 2:12-13

James tells us to behave in the way someone would be have who will be judged by “the law of liberty.”  Why is he calling it the “law of liberty”?  We have the law, and if we break God’s law we know there will be consequences.  That being said, if I only keep the law because I fear consequences, I’m not really growing into maturity.  We need to get to the place where we keep the law because we get to keep it.  God has given us wisdom in the law and how to live and what to do.  God’s law brings life when it is kept.  God’s law is also liberty, because I know that I’m saved apart from it.  I don’t have to keep it to be saved, I get to keep it once I am saved.
Also, James says that we should reflect the mercy and grace that has been given to us by God to those around us.  The person that demonstrates mercy shows that they are ready to be judged themselves, because they understand the mercy that they have been given.

Application:
People that do not show mercy have a “you owe me” kind of attitude.  Is there someone in your life that you feel “owes you” for something?  Do you find yourself having imaginary conversations with them where you tell them how wrong they are?  Don’t carry that any more.  Release them from that debt.  Forgive them!  Maybe today you should make a phone call, make a visit, or write a note to that person asking for and giving them forgiveness.

Thursday September 22, 2011

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:10-11

James is trying to convince the reader that it’s not enough to keep just certain parts of “the law” or God’s rules but not submit to the rest of the law.  When we violate any part of the law, the whole law is broken.  In regards to being a “respecter of persons” or favoring one kind of person over another because of some outward issue, Warren Weirsbe says this:

“Showing respect of persons can lead a person into disobeying all of God’s law.  Take any of the Ten Commandments and you will find ways of breaking it if you respect a person’s social or financial status.  Respect of persons could make you lie, for example.  It could lead to idolatry (getting money out of the rich), or even mistreatment of one’s parents.  Once we start acting on basis of respecting persons and rejecting God’s Word, we are heading for trouble.”

Application:
I know that today, I needed to read this today.  My question for you is this

How is “fear of man” or being a “respecter of persons” leading you into sin?
Are other people controlling your behavior and thoughts more than God?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
James 2:5-7

After reading these verse you may be tempted to think that James is violating the command he has just given about showing preference to one person over another.  Some might think, “James, you are just reversing the problem and telling them to show preference to the poor over the rich!”  I don’t believe this is what is happening.  So what is this all about?

James is trying to help the reader think through the reasons that their preference to rich people is illogical.  He is not telling them to disrespect the rich and to not show them love.  He is really just explaining that showing favoritism to rich people so that they will show favor back to you does not always work!

In this verse we see a couple of the temptations that rich people face.  Rich people in James’ time was someone who had more than they need.  That is us.  Specifically, he says that some rich people have a temptation to “blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called.”  These people think that they don’t need God.  This leads to treating God’s name improperly, or not even believing in him at all.  Why?  Because with what they have, they tend to believe that they are the source of all the things they have.  The irony is that in doing this they despise the person that gave it to them in the first place.

Application:
James could have talked today about reasons not to show favoritism or “respect of persons” to any other group.  Here’s my question for you today…Think about or even write down the type of person to whom you tend to show favoritism.  Then write down several reasons why that kind of favoritism doesn’t make sense.