James 2:1-13
Q.1. Why is it inappropriate for believers to mistreat the poor? How are the poor viewed by God? – (Jms.2:1-7)
Our sonship is based entirely on the merits of Jesus Christ. No one person is more deserving of God’s grace than is another. Therefore, to show favouritism to the privileged shows a lack of understanding of the gospel (Jms.2:1-3). James describes this as judging with evil motives (see Jms.2:4). He stated that it is the rich who oppress others, not the poor (see Jms.2:6). His key argument was that such favouritism is inconsistent with God’s plans and purposes – Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (Jms.2:5). Since God disregards wealth and prestige in His choices, so should we in our treatment of others or we are guilty of blaspheming the fair name we bear (see Jms.2:7).
Q.2. What did James mean by the ‘royal law’? What did he mean by ‘the law of liberty’? Where is there place for pride and mercy when it comes to the law? – (Jms.2:8-13)
The ‘royal law’ is the New Commandment given by King Jesus in the Upper Room before He suffered and bled and died (see Jn.13:34-35). By displaying love to other believers we how show the genuineness of our faith (see Jms.2:8) Showing favouritism is a transgression of Christ’s example and command (see Jms.2:9). The idea of a ‘law of liberty’ is an oxymoron: We are free from the law yet compelled by the law of liberty. A single breach of the Law means we are guilty of lawbreaking (see Jms.2:10-11). Unrestrained liberty is licentiousness. However, this liberty is the freedom we have in Christ to think of others more highly than ourselves, and to place them before ourselves. James charges his readers to – so speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty (see Jms.2:12 c.f. Phil.2:3-4). James made it clear that it is impossible to not transgress the law at some point, and we all stand guilty before God. Therefore, pride in our performance has no place in the believer. Nevertheless, in Christ, mercy can triumph over judgment (see Jms.2:13).