JAMESJAMES 2

James 2James 2 Faith that does not work is Faith that does not work is

faith that will not savefaith that will not save Salvation by “faith only” is Salvation by “faith only” is

a most destructive a most destructive doctrine and very doctrine and very full of full of deceptiondeception!!

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Faith does not harborFaith does not harborprejudiceprejudice, Jas 2:1-13, Jas 2:1-13

Faith and favoritism do not coexist, Faith and favoritism do not coexist, 2:1-92:1-9PartialityPartiality (respect of persons): (respect of persons):

Has respect for outward circumstances Has respect for outward circumstancesMakes outward judgments, 1 Sam 16:6-7Makes outward judgments, 1 Sam 16:6-7Peter was taught this necessary lesson Peter was taught this necessary lesson

as the gospel spread to Gentiles, Acts as the gospel spread to Gentiles, Acts 10:34-3510:34-35○God does not show partiality!God does not show partiality!

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Faith does not harborFaith does not harborprejudiceprejudice, Jas 2:1-13, Jas 2:1-13

Partiality is an unrighteous Partiality is an unrighteous judgment against others and judgment against others and against God’s law, Jas 2:1-4; cf. against God’s law, Jas 2:1-4; cf. Jno 7:24; Jas 4:11-12Jno 7:24; Jas 4:11-12The LOM commanded righteous The LOM commanded righteous

judgment and justice, Lev 19:15judgment and justice, Lev 19:15Israel was taught it is Israel was taught it is sinsin to despise your to despise your

neighbor, Prov 14:20-21neighbor, Prov 14:20-21““Do all things without partiality”Do all things without partiality”, 1 Tim , 1 Tim

5:215:21 4

Faith does not harborFaith does not harborprejudiceprejudice, Jas 2:1-13, Jas 2:1-13

Partiality is against God’s nature Partiality is against God’s nature and purpose, Jas 2:5and purpose, Jas 2:5

Partiality is dishonorable, Jas 2:6 Partiality is dishonorable, Jas 2:6 (Rom 12:9-10) (Rom 12:9-10)

Partiality does not change minds, Partiality does not change minds, Jas 2:7Jas 2:7

Partiality fails to love neighbor as Partiality fails to love neighbor as self, Jas 2:8-9self, Jas 2:8-9

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Faith does not harborFaith does not harborprejudiceprejudice, Jas 2:1-13, Jas 2:1-13

Faith does not rationalize and Faith does not rationalize and minimize sin, Jas 2:10-13minimize sin, Jas 2:10-13Uncorrected sin brings death! Jas 1:15-16Uncorrected sin brings death! Jas 1:15-16Sin by commission and omission, Jas 2:11; Sin by commission and omission, Jas 2:11;

4:174:17Judged by the law of liberty, not by Judged by the law of liberty, not by

partiality toward self and others, Jas 2:12 partiality toward self and others, Jas 2:12 (1:25)(1:25)

Judged by the judgment we give, 2:13 Judged by the judgment we give, 2:13 (Matt 5:7; Lk 6:36-38) Gal 6:7(Matt 5:7; Lk 6:36-38) Gal 6:7 6

Faith is at work whenFaith is at work whenit obeys Godit obeys God, Jas 2:14-20, Jas 2:14-20 Many kinds of works in the NT, Eph Many kinds of works in the NT, Eph

2:8-102:8-10 Faith without works of faith will Faith without works of faith will notnot

save Heb 10:36-39save Heb 10:36-39No spiritual profit, 2:14-16No spiritual profit, 2:14-16Is alone and dead, 2:17Is alone and dead, 2:17Is unseen, 2:18Is unseen, 2:18Is held by demons, 2:19Is held by demons, 2:19

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Faith is at work whenFaith is at work whenit obeys Godit obeys God, Jas 2:14-20, Jas 2:14-20 Faith without works (of faith) will Faith without works (of faith) will

notnot save Heb 10:36-39 save Heb 10:36-39Is barren and fruitless, 2:20Is barren and fruitless, 2:20Is incomplete, 2:21-22Is incomplete, 2:21-22Is not accounted for righteousness, Is not accounted for righteousness,

2:232:23Cannot justify, 2:24-25Cannot justify, 2:24-25Is dead, 2:26Is dead, 2:26

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Faith is at work whenFaith is at work whenit obeys Godit obeys God, Jas 2:14-20, Jas 2:14-20 Faith without works (of faith) will Faith without works (of faith) will

notnot save Heb 10:36-39 save Heb 10:36-39Obedience faith is necessary to be Obedience faith is necessary to be

saved from past sins, Jno 6:29; Rom saved from past sins, Jno 6:29; Rom 10:10; Acts 2:37-38; 22:1610:10; Acts 2:37-38; 22:16

Works of faith are essential in order Works of faith are essential in order to remain true to Christ, Eph 2:10; to remain true to Christ, Eph 2:10; Gal 5:6Gal 5:6

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Faith is made completeFaith is made completein obediencein obedience, Jas 2:21-26, Jas 2:21-26

The faith of Abraham was The faith of Abraham was perfectedperfected by by his obedience, Jas 2:21-23his obedience, Jas 2:21-23Justified (declared righteous) by works, 2:21Justified (declared righteous) by works, 2:21○He obeyed by faith, Heb 11:17He obeyed by faith, Heb 11:17○Trusted God would keep His word, Heb 11:18-Trusted God would keep His word, Heb 11:18-

1919○His faith was active in his obedience – this His faith was active in his obedience – this

pleased God, Jas 2:22; Gen 22:12pleased God, Jas 2:22; Gen 22:12○Obedient faith counted for righteousness, 2:23Obedient faith counted for righteousness, 2:23

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Faith is made completeFaith is made completein obediencein obedience, Jas 2:21-26, Jas 2:21-26 The faith that saves is the faith The faith that saves is the faith

that obeys God, Jas 2:24-26that obeys God, Jas 2:24-26Justification by “faith only” is false! Justification by “faith only” is false!

2:24 (Heb 5:9; Lk 17:10)2:24 (Heb 5:9; Lk 17:10)○RahabRahab: Example of deliverance : Example of deliverance

because she had an active faith, Jas because she had an active faith, Jas 2:252:25

○DeathDeath: Example of faith without works : Example of faith without works – Lifeless, Jas 2:26– Lifeless, Jas 2:26

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God has prepared good God has prepared good works for usworks for us, Eph 2:10, Eph 2:10 Be faithful to walk in the works of Be faithful to walk in the works of

faithfaith If we believe we can walk in If we believe we can walk in

favoritism and not obey the word of favoritism and not obey the word of God, then we are faithlessGod, then we are faithless

In such unbelief one forfeits In such unbelief one forfeits God’s mercy and is a guilty God’s mercy and is a guilty transgressortransgressor

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