The Life of Christ Continues #7 (Studies in Philippians)
Text: Philippians 4:8-23
Real Christian Living #3 (Studies in James)- Windsor, September 5, 2004- a.m.
-Drew Chapados
Text: James 2:14-26
More than Words
I really do deep down want to be like Jesus! That’s your goal as well, I know. We don’t want to be selfish people, we don’t want to be served, and we don’t want to live always worrying about how others respond to us or do things so somehow we will receive honour. We want to be like Jesus.
We may not always measure up to that standard but in our heart of hearts that is our goal.
James has been writing to the early Christians about what it means to be a true Christian in the real world. There are some interesting things James has to say about religion. The Christian religion is not simply a mental belief or mental assent to some facts about its founder. It is not an exercise of debating propositions or even simply performing outward observances but it consists in action! The religion of God has always been concerned with action:
Job 31:16-23
‘An old Christianity Today cartoon offers this: A man is sitting in a hotel room. His hair’s a mess, his shirt is lying open, and his tie is loosed. He’s unshaven, his eyes have deep, dark rings around them, and he has a look of desperation on his face as he hoarsely says into the phone, ‘Pastor, you’ve got to help me. I’ve lost my job, my wife has left me, the kids have gone with her, I’m in debt over my head, and I won’t be able to pay the hotel bill. Please, tell me, is Revelation 20 literal or figurative?’
In a small Jewish town in Russia, there is a rabbi who disappears each Friday morning for several hours. His devoted disciples boast that during those hours their rabbi goes up to heaven and talks to God. A stranger moves into town, and he’s skeptical about all this, so he decides to check things out. He hides and watches. The rabbi gets up in the morning, says his prayers, and then dresses in peasant clothes. He grabs an axe, goes off into the woods, and cuts some firewood, which he then hauls to a shack on the outskirts of the village where an old woman and her sick son live. He leaves them the wood, enough for a week, and then sneaks back home. Having observed the rabbi’s actions, the newcomer stays on in the village and becomes his disciple. And whenever he hears one of the villagers say, ‘On Friday morning our rabbi ascends all the way to heaven,’ the newcomer quietly adds, ‘if not higher.’
We know there is another Jewish rabbi who really did ascend all the way to heaven and who would be thrilled at the behaviour of the Russian rabbi. Of this rabbi, one of those who knew him best wrote, ‘He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.’
It is that Jewish rabbi, Jesus Christ who claims that one day he will judge the world. And on that Day one of his central concerns will be what we did with truth. Our destiny will hang on whether or not we cared for and catered to the needs of others. Maybe his first question won’t be ‘What are your views on this or that issue?’ but ‘Will you show me your hands?’
Jim McGuiggan, Jesus Hero of Thy Soul (West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing Co., Inc., 1998) p.15,16
Judgment will be shown with no mercy for those who show no mercy! (Matthew 5:7)
We left off last week with James instructions to treat all equally in the faith. Then, to show mercy or else mercy will not be shown. There is a truth about judgment day that all need to understand: the person who we will stand before will not be the ones we so easily dismiss as not as good as us or the one who are unworthy to be around us: it will be the Christ, the One who died for all.
James says: treat all the same, show no partiality.
Now, he brings us to a section that is one of the most debated passages in Protestant Christianity, but it really doesn’t need to be.
Christianity without transforming into real life actions makes the Bible simply a textbook and Jesus a professor that people listen to in order for good grades but then put him out of their minds away from the classroom.
Real life actions or responding to God’s directions have always been asked of those who claim to have faith in Him!
Hebrews 5:9- And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
1 John 2:3- And by this we know him that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 Peter 1:22- Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love…
Acts 5:32- And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
James 2:14-26- more than words! How do we know if we have saving faith? The question really comes down to: what does our faith lead us to do?
Vs.14- Here is a big question: can that faith save him? What faith James? The faith that someone claims to have that is not active! Someone claims to have faith, they believe in facts about God and Jesus Christ but simply put, do nothing with this faith. James simply asks what good is this faith?
James doesn’t answer this question but clearly a negative answer is expected. Basically, faith without actions is of no benefit and cannot save! If you recall—James has already talked about salvation: James 1:21,22
One continually says I am a believer, I am a Christian, I maybe even have been baptized, but then continually does nothing this faith is of not benefit.
Matthew 25:35-40, 42-46
Vs.15-17- James brings up some real examples. This is one of the best things about this book: it is real living, not just theological teachings.
James gives us an insight into the conditions of some of the early Christians:
A brother or sister without proper clothing and having not the necessary food.
In one of Paul’s letters to Timothy, he told his young protégé to teach that Christians need to be free from the love of money and content with clothing and food (1 Timothy 6:8). These Christians however don’t even have these.
Now, poverty seems to be a real concern for the early church: what does real faith do?
Well there is theology: someone says be warmed and filled.
James 2:15,16- CEV: If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, ‘I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.’ What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help?
Yeah, we tell them we really hope they get what they need, we’ll even pray about it at church—but then in the end, it’s only sentiment as far as we are concerned. We never involve ourselves personally in their needs. Instead of clothes and food we give them empty words to look out for themselves.
Even prayers are useless if we are unwilling to get involved.
James asks again, what good is it? What good is it to have this kind of faith for the poor? What good is it for us?
So, James concludes that faith that doesn’t lead to action is dead!
James 2:17- NCV: In the same way, faith that is alone—that does nothing—is dead.
Vs.18- Here comes a comparison: someone thinks the alternatives are faith or works. James responds:
Show me faith apart from works and I’ll show faith by my works.
Listen to what James says:
The options in religion are not faith or works. Instead, James says it’s all about proof of real faith. The options are:
A faith professed without works or a faith professed that is shown to be alive by works!
Vs.19- look where James goes: even demons believe. They have an intellectual faith; does this imply a real faith? They even shudder at their faith.
James it is good to believe- but! (It’s the same thing he did in 2:8- it’s good to love your neighbor, but if you show partiality…)
James 2:19- Message: Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them?
2:20- I’ll show you, what I’m talking about.
2:21-25- he brings up two famous Old Testament characters.
Abraham & Rahab.
Abe’s story:
God calls him to offer up his son Isaac.
Does Abraham have real faith in God? How do we know?
He obeys God. What does this result in? Abraham’s faith was made perfect. God called him his friend.
Rahab’s story:
The two spies are wanted and Rahab hides them from the soldiers and delivered the spies safely.
James conclusions:
Vs.24- a person is made right in God’s sight not just by what he believes, by also what he does.
God is pleased not just by us gathering and singing and praying and wishing others well, He is pleased when we listen to His directions and do it.
Vs.26- body apart from spirit is dead and faith without works is as well.
Anyone who can’t breath will not live. Faith that won’t do anything is also dead.
There are a few things we need to really take note of:
1- How concerned is the Christian to be with the social conditions of others in our community? How far should our involvement be?
2- What is the proof of our faith? How much of our weekly or monthly schedules are spent on acting out our faith in a real sense?
3- What are some practical ways the church of today should act out real faith?
Nobody in any way could ever earn their salvation. Jesus Christ did it for us when he lived his pure sinless life and shed his blood on our behalf on the cross. I don’t deserve it and you don’t deserve it. What do I really deserve from God? Basically, for Him to treat me as I treated Him. But, because of His great love, His great heart for mankind, Jesus Christ bought our salvation. The question is do I really believe this? Do I really have faith in the work of God? The answer is will I live it out? Will I truly believe in the God who made himself poor and died for us? Will I truly believe that what He says to do is what I should do?
Let’s stand and sing…
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