James 2 - Faith and Actions

The Bible says that the wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble, and give birth to lies (Psalm 7:14).  This passage in James, consistent with all Scripture, tells us that we must repent of our sins, and put our faith in Christ into action.  You see, evil motives and actions come in many forms.  God sees it all.  He knows our thoughts, actions, and everything in our minds and hearts.  But God is also for us; He's never against us. 

James nails it here.  He puts his finger on the Achilles heel of the ancient and modern churchman.  He asks us this haunting question, “How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others” (James 2:1).

God never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  I suspect we'll fully agree there.  God gives mankind a way to eternal life: through the Cross of Jesus Christ.  Make no mistake, God is and always will be, God.  He alone provides the way of Salvation.  God's standards of righteous conduct are the same today as they were with Cain and Abel.  God set the standards for what pleases Him and for what He calls a righteous man.  We are made in the image of God.  We are given thought and the ability to respond by our Sovereign God.  He is that Sovereign.  We look to Scripture to see what God calls a life lived that is right and just.  

In Ezekiel, we hear that God will judge each and every person according to his actions.  And we hear that it is not too late to change course.  Get on course today!  We must first and foremost have faith in God - there is no pleasing God without trusting in His Son.  But let’s be careful to follow the counsel of the Holy Spirit and not mock God’s standards for right living.

I see two problematic streams of teaching that we often hear in the modern church.  First is determinism.  Committed determinists say it doesn’t matter what you or I do or say because God does and dictates everything - you cannot think or act.  God, they say, gives no free will.  They don’t care that such a view directly contravenes all of Scripture.  Jesus says, “Go and sin no more” not, “Go and I will dictate all you do.”  Second, is what A.W. Tozer calls easy acceptism.  The false teachers Tozer was calling out say all a “Christian” has to do is accept an easy invitation for forgiveness and get a ticket to heaven - then no matter what you do or say - no matter whether you show mercy to others or grow in Christ you will be approved by God on Judgement Day.  The Bible warns us of such false teachers who tickle the ears of those who want such a wide road and an invitation to continue in what makes them "happy," their darkness.  

God says that people have the ability to think over their behavior and to turn from their sins (Ezekiel 18:28). Throughout Scripture God implores us to “Repent, and turn from your sins.  Don’t let them destroy you!  Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:31).

        God wants all people to turn from their wicked ways, but “if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live?  No, of course not!  All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins” (Ezekiel 18:23-24).

        I believe this is the same message of James 2.  God wants His people to act rightly and justly - following His standards.  God's consistent standards are now written on the Christian's heart and mind.  We worship God alone - never idols of any kind.  We stay away from any sexually impure behavior.  We are merciful and honest in all our dealings.  We never rob the poor, but instead, we give food to the hungry and provide clothing for the needy.  We give generously.  We boast only in the Salvation of Jesus Christ.  We show mercy to others and we are honest and fair when judging others (Ezekiel 18:5-9).

        "So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.  But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you" (James 2:12-13).

        Lord Jesus, we repent of our sins and trust in you alone.  Help us to be pleasing, right, and just in your eyes today.  May we live as the new creations that you made us to be.  Help our motives to be pure and our actions to be pleasing  Amen.

Abe (now 21) getting the treatment from the bros.