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1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:1-17 NRSV Bible)
As a pastor I try to live my life based on my faith. As a human I can say I fail. Sometimes miserably. My motto is to be better today in my walk with Jesus than I was yesterday. And as a pastor I knew more than my share of folks whose lives blessed me by the way they walked with the Lord.
James, the author of this letter, is believed to be the brother of Jesus. If that is true, imagine the incredible childhood he shared with his big brother and I want to know more about his life, especially the moment he realized that Jesus was indeed Who He said He was, and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. James saw firsthand, as an eyewitness, the life we were meant to live as we walk with Jesus. This letter is filled with practical advice for all believers, addressing key things that seem to fit that category Do We Really Need to List Things That Should Be Second Nature to You?
James challenges us to reflect deeply on our actions and attitudes towards others. In the early church, as in our own time, there was a temptation to favor those who were wealthy and influential over those who were poor and marginalized. James condemns this partiality, reminding us that such behavior contradicts the very nature of the faith we profess. Back in my campus ministry days, we showed the Christian movie Kevin Can Wait, where a young man is called by God to "do something great." The movie follows Kevin trying to figure out what is that great thing he is to accomplish, and it turns out to be the friend to a new visitor to his church who works as a car mechanic, whose fingernails give him away and all the kids in his Sunday school class shun the poor guy while fawning over the quarterback from the university who happens to be dating one of the regular Sunday school girls. Are we guilty of showing that sort of favortism towards the wealthy or well-dressed?
The crux of James' message is that true faith is not simply a matter of holding correct beliefs but of demonstrating those beliefs through our actions. To claim faith while showing favoritism or neglecting the needs of others reveals a disconnect between what we profess and how we live. Genuine faith manifests itself in love and service to all, regardless of their social status or material wealth.
James emphasizes that faith without works is dead. This does not mean that our actions earn us salvation but that our actions are the fruit of a living faith. When we truly believe in the love and grace of God, it compels us to act with compassion and justice. What sort of tree are we if we bear no fruits of love, grace, and compassion towards others?
As we reflect on this passage, let us examine our own lives. Are there areas where we are showing favoritism? Are we neglecting the needs of those around us? True faith is expressed in how we treat others, especially those who are most vulnerable.
PRAYER: Loving God, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking to align our lives with Your will. Thank You for the gift of faith and for the call to live it out through our actions. Forgive us for the times we have shown favoritism or neglected the needs of others. Help us to see every person as You see them, to love as You love, and to act justly in all we do. Guide us by Your Spirit to be agents of Your mercy and grace, reflecting Your character in every interaction. May our faith be active, evident in the love and care we extend to those around us. Strengthen us to live out the royal law of love, and may our actions glorify You and serve Your kingdom. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Seek out someone in need—whether it’s a neighbor struggling financially, a colleague who needs encouragement, or a friend who is going through a tough time—and offer your support. Let your actions speak of the faith you profess. By doing so, you reflect the love of Christ and contribute to a world where faith and works go hand in hand.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
