James 2:2 KJV [2] “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;”      James begins an illustration in this verse about two men who visit the assembly. He gives a vivid description of both of these men. As we can see, they are very different in appearance. They are not wearing the same kind of apparel, nor do they have the same status in society. Both of these visitors likely sit in the assemblies of our churches today.      I want us to …

James 2:1 KJV “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”      To be like Jesus means we must treat others the way Jesus treated them. He did not elevate personalities, He did not play politics, and He did not show favoritism to those who were rich or prestigious in society. He loved every man and was willing to help all those who put their faith in Him. He did not involve Himself in cliques and picks. He made Himself of no reputation and quashed those who were demonstrating “respect …

James 1:27 KJV [27] “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”      After we have viewed ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word, we can begin to see others. The Word of God will produce compassion for others who are in need. We will see those who are struggling and in need of our assistance. Pure religion looks for an opportunity to serve both God and man.       Pure religion will put a desire in our hearts to live …

James 1:26 KJV [26] “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”      Our verse is a simple one to understand. James is teaching us that if our heart is right our speech will be right. What’s on the inside will eventually come out. A man’s religion should be measured both by what we see and what he says. Some are good at talking but their lives are not separated. They talk a good talk but they do not walk a good walk. James …

James 1:25 KJV [25] “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”      Every man wants to be blessed in this life. The question is, how do I obtain those blessings? Some go about it the wrong way. Some will do whatever they think is necessary to be blessed. They will lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead in this life. Those who try to be blessed by this method are always disappointed. True blessings can …

James 1:24 KJV [24] “For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”      I want you to imagine a man beginning his morning by standing in front of a mirror. He has showered, shaved, and is now brushing his teeth. As he looks into the mirror he knows that the next thing on his daily prep list is to apply some hair gel and part his hair in place. He is running a little behind in his schedule today and in his haste, he forgets to do this part of his routine.       …

James 1:23 KJV [23] “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:”      The word “looking glass” is a poetic and archaic way to refer to a mirror, and was considered the proper word to use when referring to one. The word “mirror” was considered vulgar and middle class by the upper class.  A mirror is made of metallic or amalgam backing and gives the reflection of whatever or whoever is placed in front of it. The Egyptians made metal mirrors from …

James 1:22 KJV [22] “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”      In this verse, James shares three truths concerning the believer and his Bible. First, he gives us a command to be a doer of the Word. Second, he gives us a warning not to become a hearer only of the Word. Finally, he mentions the danger of deceiving ourselves about the Word.       The Word of God is powerful and can transform our lives. However, we must obey the Word. We must apply the instruction that we read. The Bible …

James 1:21 KJV [21] “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”      James sees the heart of man as a garden. If he does not perform maintenance on his heart it will become overtaken by sin and worldly desires. He must remove the weeds of worldliness and the thorns of wickedness from his soul! He must break up the fallow grounded within his heart. A filthy heart is like a garden overtaken by weeds. The heart becomes hard like the ground that has never …

James 1:20 [20] “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” The word “wrath” represents the strongest of all passions that a man possesses. It is the highest form of anger. It expresses anger in a natural impulse. The wrath of man can be described as losing his cool and flying off the handle, with no regard for his words or actions. A man so boiling with fury, that he doesn’t take the time to think about the consequences of his action or the people he may be hurting around him. We all know people like the …