James 2:7 KJV [7] “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?”      In the early days of the church, the powerful Sadducees were the ones who were persecuting them. They dragged Christians into court and said false and ungodly things about them and the Lord Jesus. They were blaspheming the name of the Lord Jesus. These religious leaders were using their powerful influence and rich standing to push their own agenda.       Religion has always hated Christianity and elevated man. Christianity reveals man for who he is and allows him to see God as the …

James 2:6 KJV [6] “But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?”     A bully is someone we expect to face out in the schoolyard or hallway but never in the church. It’s hard to believe that there are bullies in church, but sadly they do exist. James is not going to let the matter rest. There are people in the church who will attempt to buy their way to the top. But, if that doesn’t work, they will use bullying as a way to get where they want to …

James 2:5 KJV [5] “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”      Our verse today can be easily misinterpreted. First, allow me to address what it is not saying. It is not teaching us that God has chosen the poor to be saved and the rich to be lost. Zacchaeus was saved, and Luke 19:2 says he was rich. Salvation has nothing to do with the riches of this world. It is based only on the work of our …

James 2:4 KJV [4] “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”      Truthfully, nobody wants to be mistreated. Nobody wants to be judged by men, nor do we want them to show partiality toward us. We would not think much of a person who would treat us, or our loved ones, that way. However, the question we must ask is, “Have I been guilty of showing partially and prejudging others?”       It is so easy to read these verses and see the sins of others but not ourselves. Pointing out the faults of …

James 2:3 KJV [3] “and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:”      It is not the prosperous man wearing the gay clothing, nor is it the poor man wearing the vile raiment that gets my attention in this verse. It is the partial man who is ushering these two men to their seats. This usher seems to be short-sighted and snooty. He is a man that cannot see beyond the superficial. He …

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 …