James 2: Are You The Friend Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
1. Footstool (V1-13)
V1 “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, rebuked the church for favouring the rich and despising the poor, as the rich had seats in the church while the poor had to stand or sit on footstools. Let us who are Christians, saved by God’s grace, love and treat everyone the same, as Jesus loved and died for the sins of all, regardless of their wealth, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V3 “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:”
2. Faith (V14-20)
V18 “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
One of the greatest sins is to be professing Christians who continue in sins and never truly repent of their sins. This was why James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, warned the people that they must show their true faith in Christ by demonstrating their works and lives of holiness and godliness. A Christian is like a sheep that when he falls into the mud of sins he will try as far as possible to get out of it, and never like a pig which will wallow and enjoy it. Let us be warned that even the devil and his demons believe in God, but they never truly repent of their sins, and eventually they shall be condemned to hell!
V19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
3. Friend (V21-26)
V21 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
Abraham was an example of a man who truly had faith in God because he demonstrated his faith by his works when he willingly obeyed God, and offered his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God. However, God eventually provided a ram as a substitute of Isaac.
V24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Friend as I prove it by my faith and works.
