(James 2:1 NLT) My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
God’s PRIORITY IS PEOPLE SO OUR PRIORITY IS PEOPLE
√ Every human has an ETERNITY.
(Acts 10:34 NLT) Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.
(James 2:2-4 NLT) For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”–well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
(Leviticus 19:17 NLT) “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. …
(James 2:8-10 NLT) Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
√ A impartial God shows the same FACE to everyone.
(Psalm 53:2 NIV) God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
(James 2:12-13 NLT) 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.
√ Showing GRACE and MERCY acknowledges my need for it.
(Matthew 6:14-15 NLT) “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
(James 2:14-17 NLT) What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”–but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
• Works do not make you RIGHTEOUS but they do DEMONSTRATE it!
(Galatians 5:6 NLT) … What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
(James 2:18-24 NLT) Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
(James 2:24 NLT) So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
√ Faith creates WORKS and works creates FAITH.
(James 2:26 NLT) Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
