Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Tues 16th June – Read James 2:5-9
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Tues 16th June – Read James 2:5-9
V5: Though James is at times stern in rebuke, they are still ” my beloved brothers” ( see Ephesians 4:15.) He points out that God’s sovereign choice often fixes on those who are poor and needy in the terms of this world and makes them ” rich in faith “, and gives them a wonderful inheritance in His eternal kingdom, His promise to all who believe, and love Him – always in response to His call of grace. (Compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.)
V6: He seems to address a situation he knows about, where such partiality has been shown. He reminds them that the rich and powerful are the very ones who persecute believers – the court here may well be a “debtors’ court”. It remains true that often those rich in this world’s goods often, at the very least, sneer at and despise Christian values and those who live by them.
V7: He says such also blaspheme the name of Jesus, and all that it means, the name we bear as believers. These verses remind us how far the values of this broken world differ from those of God’s kingdom. Are we living by kingdom values?
V8-9: Quoting the second great commandment, which Jesus Himself said summed up the whole manward aspect of the Law, ( Matthew 22:38-40.) he really addresses those who think they keep it, ( I take ” you are doing well” to be ironic ) yet show such partiality as has been spoken of, to say they are actually breaking this commandment, and thus the whole Law – the royal Law of the great King.. ( So, James 2:10) He warns us as believers not to be complacent, of course.