James Expounds on Faith Volume 26

 Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 2

James 2:18-20 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James continues to expound on his subject matter of faith without works of obedience to the God someone says that they believe in; that has no subsequent works or actions of obedience to what He declares, decides, demands, and determines to be His will is no true faith at all. This sort of belief would be mere intellectual belief that is worthless when it comes to being a true Christian. Example, someone says that they love their wife, yet they abuse her physically by beating her and they speak to her with such vile, volatile, and violent language; is she to believe that this sort of man really loves her; answer, of course not, likewise no one can say they love God and count what He says in His Word of no importance to them, therefore, we now read these next words from the Apostle James, "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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:18-20) (KJV). The Apostle is first here declaring that to say one believes in God without actual evidence that they have the desire (given to them in the inner man 👨 or the inner woman 👩 at their new birth) to obey His Word without changing it, commuting it, or compromising it does not meet with actual faith, for James goes on to say that even the demons have this type of faith or belief in God even to the point of making them 'tremble' and this English word is translated by the Greek word phrissō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) a primary verb; meaning to 'bristle' or chill, that is, shudder (fear): - tremble. In other words, demons fear God tremendously, yet they now have within themselves no desire ever to obey Him, but they now only fear 😱 what He will and is going to do to them in the lake of fire, as it written here of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet (so will every demon be there with them), "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10) (KJV). So, we see that if demons believe in God with no desire to love and obey Him, then the human being who says they believe in God and also have no regard for His Holy Word, that is, no plans, preparation, or purpose of obeying it, then that human being is no better than any demon who already has a date with the lake of fire 🔥and as the Apostle Paul used the word accursed or anathema. As we said in the last study/commentary Volume 25, salvation does not come to any sinner by their being good or doing good, but it comes solely by the grace of God, but God's grace is not without power and His grace also has no limits, that is, He has an endless supply for every creature under the Sun ☀. Just as this faith of demons cannot save them, so cannot any sinner who says they believe in God without the evidence that God has moved upon them by His grace and given to them the desire to obey Him, that is, to 😍 love and obey His Word. The Apostle James says that this type of faith is what a vain man or woman has and that faith is figuratively and literally empty, just like a motorcycle without gasoline in the tank can go nowhere so cannot this type of faith bring one to heaven, also just like a dead body of a man 👨 or woman 👩 is not alive, so is the faith of any person that has not obedience to God at the very center or core of said faith is instead dead faith. Amen!!!

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of faith without works being dead faith, "The word which is rendered 'yea' (ἀλλὰ alla) would be better rendered by 'but.; The Apostle designs to introduce an objection, not to make an affirmation. The sense is, 'some one might say,' or, 'to this it might be urged in reply.' That is, it might perhaps be said that religion is not always manifested in the same way, or we should not suppose that, because it is not always exhibited in the same form, it does not exist. One man may manifest it in one way, and another in another, and still both have true piety. One may be distinguished for his faith, and another for his works, and both may have real religion. This objection would certainly have some plausibility, and it was important to meet it. It would seem that all religion was not to be manifested in the same way, as all virtue is not; and that it might occur that one man might be particularly eminent for one form of religion, and another for another; as one man may be distinguished for zeal, and another for meekness, and another for integrity, and another for truth, and another for his gifts in prayer, and another for his large-hearted benevolence. To this the apostle replies, that the two things referred to, faith and works, were not independent things, which could exist separately, without the one materially influencing another - as, for example, charity and chastity, zeal and meekness; but that the one was the germ or source of the other, and that the existence of the one was to be known only by its developing itself in the form of the other. A man could not show that he possessed the one unless it developed itself in the form of the other. In proof of this, he could boldly appeal to anyone to show a case where faith existed without works. He was himself willing to submit to this just trial in regard to this point, and to demonstrate the existence of his own faith by his works. You have one form or manifestation of religion in an eminent or prominent degree, and I have another. You are characterized particularly for one of the virtues of religion, and I am for another; as one man may be particularly eminent for meekness, and another for zeal, and another for benevolence, and each be a virtuous man. The expression here is equivalent to saying, 'One may have faith, and another works.' That is, you who maintain that faith is enough to prove the existence of religion; that a man may be justified and saved by that alone, or where it does not develop itself in holy living; or that all that is necessary in order to be saved is merely to believe. Let the reality of any such faith as that be shown, if it can be; let any real faith be shown to exist without a life of good works, and the point will be settled. I, says the Apostle, will undertake to exhibit the evidence of my faith in a different way - in a way about which there can be no doubt, and which is the appropriate method. It is clear, if the common reading here is correct, that the Apostle meant to deny that true faith could be evinced without appropriate works. It should be said, however, that there is a difference of reading here of considerable importance. Many manuscripts and printed editions of the New Testament, instead of 'without' (works - χωρίς chōris), read 'from' or 'by' (ἐκ ek), as in the other part of the verse, 'show me thy faith by thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.' This reading is found in Walton, Wetstein, Mill, and in the received text generally; the other (without) is found in many manuscripts, and in the Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, English, and Armenian versions; and is adopted by Beza, Castalio, Grotius, Bengel, Hammond, Whitby, Drusius, Griesbach, Tittman, and Hahn, and is now commonly received as the correct reading. It may be added that this reading seems to be demanded by the similar reading in James 2:20, 'But wilt thou know that faith 'without works' (χωρὶς τὼν ἔργων chōris tōn ergōn) is dead,' evidently implying that something had been said before about 'faith without works.' This reading also is so natural, and makes so good sense in the connection, that it would seem to be demanded. Doddridge felt the difficulty in the other reading, and has given a version of the passage which showed his great perplexity, and which is one of the most unhappy that he ever made. I will furnish in this way the best and most certain proof of the existence of faith. It is implied here that true faith is adapted to lead to a holy life, and that such a life would be the appropriate evidence of the existence of faith. By their fruits the principles held by men are known. See the notes at Matthew 7:16."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 17

 Be Doers of the Word of God Part 5

James 1:27 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. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

At first glance upon this final verse of Scripture here that the Apostle James concludes his discourse on being doers of the Word of God and not hearers only, as it is written here, "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." (James 1:27) (KJV), however, an incompatible, inappropriate, or incorrect interpretation of the Apostles words might lead someone into a misunderstanding of what the Apostle is concluding for us. The key 🗝word in this entire passage is the English word 'religion' which is translated by the Greek word thrēskeia meaning (as used here) worship or worshipping. Worshipping God is not just sitting or standing in a building and singing songs, but it also involves what we do with our lives (according to what the Word of God says) and the things we do not do with our lives, for as it is written, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) (NKJV). Here the Apostle is declaring the comforting of our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' primarily, for as it is written, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10) (NKJV). When we show care for our fellow brothers and sisters 'in Christ' we are showing care and love for Christ Jesus our Lord Himself, as it is written, "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40) (NKJV). How do we know that the Apostle here is primarily speaking of the fatherless and widows who are of the 'household of faith', well when he declares they are to be visited in their 'afflictions' and this English word is translated by the Greek word thlipsis meaning (as used here) their pressure literally their anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. During this time ⌚ period of these early days of the ⛪ Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, believers had been forced to flee many places because of vilotile, vicious, and violent persecution from those who still belonged to the devil, i.e. two-legged devils. Therefore, just like the Apostle James wrote with these words, "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the Twelve Tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings." (James 1:1) (NKJV) of greetings to them at the very beginning of this letter not knowing where all the brothers and sisters 'in Christ' had gone, but confidently trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Power to get this letter to each and everyone of them in their time of trouble.

Secondly, the Apostle James wanted those early Jewish converts to Christ as well as we converts to our Lord Jesus Christ today and of every era and generation 'to keep himself/herself unspotted from the world'. The little English phrase 'to keep' is translated by the Greek word tēreō meaning (as used here) to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon. The English word 'unspotted' is translated by the Greek word aspilos meaning unblemished, that is, free from physical or moral spots or stains (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted. Now as much as we try and make the Word of God bend or break or bow to our will, the reality is that it does not and never will change with the ⌚ times or move away from what eternal truth truly is according to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit/Ghost. So, we must bend our will to the Word of God and only those that do so truly can say and mean that they/we love 😍 love our Lord Jesus Christ (remember John 14:15 from above). Only those who truly love Jesus Christ belong to Jesus Christ and only those who 😍 love Jesus Christ believe and accept ALL of His Word as Divine Truth and the final authority on ALL matters. Many spiritual or religious people believe that Jesus Christ was a Prophet or a Good Teacher or any other thing said of Him by the cults and even false Christian religions and other spiritualities' and practices by people now and of all times, but the truth is that the True and Only Jesus Christ is not making His adopted sons and daughters to look like the world, love like the world (accepting every false & evil thing as good and right), and live like the 🌏 world, remember these words written by the Apostle Paul which makes this very point crystal clear, "But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust." (1 Timothy 1:8-11) (NKJV). The Word of God is crystal clear and without flaw or contradiction. Amen! Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of James 1:27, "That which is sincere and genuine, and free from adulteration and hypocrisy:before God and the Father; or in the sight of God the Father of Christ, and all His people; that which is approved of by Him, who is the searcher of hearts, and the trier of the reins of men, 'is this': not that the Apostle is giving a full definition of true religion; only he mentions some of the effects of it, by which it is known, and without which it cannot be true and genuine; and they are these: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and not only to see them, and speak a word of comfort to them, but to communicate to them, and supply their wants, as they may require, and according to the ability God has given: where there is true religion in the heart, there is love to God; and where there is love to God, there is love to the saints; and this will show itself to them, in times of affliction and distress; and where this is wanting, religion itself is not pure and undefiled: and to keep himself unspotted from the world: from the men of the world, who defile by their evil communications; and 'from the vices of the world', as the Arabic version renders it, which are of a defiling nature; and, where religion is in its power and purity, and the Gospel of the grace of God comes with efficacy, it teaches to separate from the rest of the world, and to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 25

 
Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 1

James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

We now enter into the part of this epistle or letter ✉ of the Apostle James that has sparked much controversy within or among the ranks of believers over the centuries and it has been used as fuel ⛽ for the atheist community and all unbelievers that the Bible has contradictions and therfore it cannot be believed or trusted. However, as we true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ well know, this is a false premise and has no merit to it at all. The idea that the All-Knowing God of Creation would be able to contradict Himself is itself a contradiction. God is Truth and therefore, He certainly cannot deny or oppose Himself. The Apostle Paul writes in his letter ✉ to the believers in Rome these words, "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.'" (Romans 4:5-8) (NKJV). Now, at first glance of the words we read from the Apostle James on this matter, we might be inclined to see some sort of controversy, conflict, or contradiction, but there is none because the same God the Holy Spirit who inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) the Apostle Paul also inspired the Apostle James, therfore, we now read these words from James, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:14-17) (KJV). The Apostle James is giving to us here an illustration of or a Word Picture of what mere intellectual belief would look like apart from the faith given to believers by God as a gift 📦. The gift 📦 of God to sinners who are dead in their trespasses and sins is 'grace through faith' and this gift 📦 is what enables we sinners to walk and live in the 'good works' God prepared for us to live in, as it is written for us by the Apostle Paul with these words, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10) (NKJV).

The Apostle James uses the illustration of a brother or sister in Christ who were lacking food to eat and at the point of starvation and a supposed brother or sister of theirs 'in Christ' (who had the resources to give them) and they only told them to depart in peace and be warmed, then that would be a mere sentimental response or insincere emotions that do nothing to help keep the brother or sister 'in Christ' alive and well. Likewise, faith that does not produce changed behavior from that which was present when the sinner was dead in their trespasses and sins is only intellectual belief in God and not the 'grace through faith' given to a true regenerated, revived, and resurrected sinner who is now a saint, all and only by the grace of God. It is the Apostle Paul who only declares that salvation comes not by what any sinner does to 'earn it', but it comes strictly, singularly, and solely by receiving the gift 📦 that God offers through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote of true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ walking and living in 'good works' throughout all of his epistles, example, these words he wrote to brother Titus, "Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." (Titus 2:6-8) (NKJV) and also these words to him, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:8) (NKJV). The Apostle Paul also constantly affirms to every believer in Jesus Christ that they/we should walk in live in newness of life, as it is written, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:4-6) (NKJV), also as he wrote these words to the Church @ Ephesus, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-10) (NKJV). The Apostle James is only reiterating what Paul the Apostle had written numerous times and there is complete harmony between what true faith 'in Christ' looks like when a sinner is redeemed by the hearing and believing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for James simply declares that if these evidences of works of faith and works of righteoness does not ever appear in the life of a supposed believer, then he or she is not really a true born again believer in our Lord Jesus Christ no matter what they say they believe. However, let us be reminded that there are numerous cults, false religions, governments, and agencies all around the world that do lots of 'good deeds' like the World Health Organization (WHO) who have no connection to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and their motivation does not come from a desire to please and glorify Him.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of faith without works being dead faith, "We now come to a part of this epistle which has appeared to some eminent men to contradict other portions of the Divine records. In short, it has been thought that James teaches the doctrine of justification by the merit of good works, while Paul asserts this to be insufficient, and that man is justified by faith. Luther, supposing that James did actually teach the doctrine of justification by works, which his good sense showed him to be absolutely insufficient for salvation, was led to condemn the epistle in toto, as a production unauthenticated by the Holy Spirit, and consequently worthy of no regard; he therefore termed it epistola straminea, a chaffy epistle, an epistle of straw, fit only to be burnt. Learned men have spent much time in striving to reconcile these two writers, and to show that St. Paul and St. James perfectly accord; one teaching the pure doctrine, the other guarding men against the abuse of it. Mr. Wesley sums the whole up in the following words, with his usual accuracy and precision: “From Jas_1:22 the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this under the pretense of faith. St. Paul had taught that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. This some already began to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating, Jas_1:21, Jas_1:23, Jas_1:25, the same phrases, testimonies, and examples which St. Paul had used, Rom_4:3; Heb_11:17, Heb_11:31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is therefore no contradiction between the apostles; they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. This verse is a summary of what follows: What profiteth it, is enlarged on, Jas_2:15-17; though a man say, Jas_2:18, Jas_2:19; can that faith save him? Jas_2:20. It is not though he have faith, but though he say, I have faith. Here therefore true living faith is meant. But in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead imaginary faith. He does not therefore teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works. Nor does he oppose faith to works, but that empty name of faith to real faith working by love. Can that faith which is without works save him? No more than it can profit his neighbor.” - Explanatory notes. That St James quotes the same scriptures, and uses the same phrases, testimonies, and examples which St. Paul has done, is fully evident; but it does not follow that he wrote after St. Paul. It is possible that one had seen the epistle of the other; but if so, it is strange that neither of them should quote the other. That St. Paul might write to correct the abuses of St. James’ doctrine is as possible as that James wrote to prevent St. Paul’s doctrine from being abused; for there were Antinomians in the Church in the time of St. James, as there were Pharisaic persons in it at the time of St. Paul. I am inclined to think that James is the elder writer, and rather suppose that neither of them had ever seen the other’s epistle. Allowing them both to be inspired, God could teach each what was necessary for the benefit of the Church, without their having any knowledge of each other. See the preface to this epistle. As the Jews in general were very strenuous in maintaining the necessity of good works or righteousness in order to justification, wholly neglecting the doctrine of faith, it is not to be wondered at that those who were converted, and saw the absolute necessity of faith in order to their justification, should have gone into the contrary extreme.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 18

 Avoid, Abstain, & Abhor the Sin of Partiality Part 1

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; 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: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now makes the point of seeing each and every believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as equal no matter their state or rank among the people of this world 🗺 because Christ shed His Blood for each man 👨 woman 👩 boy 👦 or girl 👧 that has accepted Him and truly been saved by Him (Romans 10:9-10). The Apostle James uses very strong 💪 language but clear language for us to get the message loud and clear that we are to avoid, abstain, and abhor the sin of partiality, that is, liking or favoring some believers over others because of their position in the world 🗺 or the amount of money 💵 they may have over others, here is what he declares to us, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; 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: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (James 2:1-4) (KJV). According to the Apostle James as declared by the Bible by Olive Tree 🎄 in the Introduction to the Epistle of James, "Faith harbors no prejudice. For James, faith and favoritism cannot coexist. Faith displays itself in works. Faith is more than mere words; it is more than knowledge; it is demonstrated by obedience; and it overtly responds to the promises of God." The equality of all Christians is paramount to our Father in Heaven and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Divine Spirit, therefore, to show favoritism to one over another is to declare or live as if the Holy Trinity is crooked or skewed and that God picks and chooses who deserves salvation and who does not, when in actuality He says this to all of humanity, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) (KJV). It is the Lord of Glory who also glorifies His adopted sons and daughters and He has already glorified each and everyone of us with the same glory, as it is written, "Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Romans 8:30) (NKJV). As we can see then, in the sight of the Father all of His children 🧒 have already the Glory of Christ whether we are still alive as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth 🌎 or whether we are with Him in Heaven. Amen!

Here is what F.B. Meyer had to say of showing partiality to the rich believer (in earthly temporal things) over the poor believer in the Church ⛪, "This sin of making distinctions in God’s house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the Divine Spirit departs. God’s love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit,' whether they be rich in this world’s goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom, because he can give more of his attention to the things of the Spirit. The law of love must be supreme with us; and we must love our fellows, whatever their position or property, as ourselves, for Christ’s sake. If we fail in this, we show that we have never entered into the heart of the Christian faith. A man may observe all the laws of health; but if he inhale one whiff of poison he may die; so we may be outwardly obedient to the entire Decalogue, but delinquency in love will invalidate everything." Here is what John Wesley had to say of showing partiality to the rich believer (in earthly temporal things) over the poor believer in the Church ⛪, "My brethren-The equality of Christians, intimated by this name, is the ground of the admonition. Hold not the faith of our common Lord, the Lord of glory - Of which glory all who believe in him partake. With respect of persons - That is, honour none merely for being rich; despise none merely for being poor. With gold rings - Which were not then so common as now. Ye look upon him - With respect. Ye distinguish not - To which the most respect is due, to the poor or to the rich. But are become evil - reasoning judges - You reason ill, and so judge wrong: for fine apparel is no proof of worth in him that wears it."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 24

 Avoid, Abstain, & Abhor the Sin of Partiality Part 7

James 2:12-13 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. KJV Note:NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James concludes his discourse to the scattered twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (James 1:1) by giving them and us today the primary reason why they/we should avoid, abstain, and abhor the sin of partiality being that they and we are no longer under the law, but under grace, therfore, they and we should act like we understand that we shall not be judged by the law of God, but instead by the law of liberty as the Apostle James declares with these words, "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (James 2:12-13) (KJV). The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers @ Rome with these words explaining how we followers of our Lord Jesus Christ are now under His grace which means we have His power to live as He declares, determined, and desires us to live, as it is written, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6:14-16) (NKJV). The same Apostle Paul wrote these words concerning liberty to the Galatians, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:13-15) (NKJV). Throughout the entire New Testament, we find the decree, the declaration, and the demand for brothers and sisters 'in Christ' to love one another and to not hurt, humiliate, or harm one another, therefore, the sin of favoritism could make some brothers or sisters see themselves as less than others and could in deed harm their faith or weaken it. We must also remember how the Apostle Paul compared Christ' Body (the Church ⛪) to an actual physical human body and said such things as this, "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 12:21-26) (NKJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:12-13, "James directs Christians to govern and conduct themselves more especially by the law of Christ. So speak and so do as those that shall be judged by the law of liberty, James 2:12. This will teach us, not only to be just and impartial, but very compassionate and merciful to the poor; and it will set us perfectly free from all sordid and undue regards to the rich. Observe here, 1. The Gospel is called a law. It has all the requisites of a law: precepts with rewards and punishments annexed; it prescribes duty, as well as administers comfort; and Christ is a King to rule us as well as a Prophet to teach us, and a Priest to sacrifice and intercede for us. We are under the law to Christ. 2. It is a law of liberty, and one that we have no reason to complain of as a yoke or burden; for the service of God, according to the Gospel, is perfect freedom; it sets us at liberty from all slavish regards, either to the persons or the things of this world. 3. We must all be judged by this law of liberty. Men's eternal condition will be determined according to the Gospel; this is the book that will be opened, when we shall stand before the judgment-seat; there will be no relief to those whom the Gospel condemns, nor will any accusation lie against those whom the Gospel justifies. 4. It concerns us therefore so to speak and act now as become those who must shortly be judged by this law of liberty; that is, that we come up to Gospel terms, that we make conscience of Gospel duties, that we be of a Gospel temper, and that our conversation be a Gospel conversation, because by this rule we must be judged. 5. The consideration of our being judged by the Gospel should engage us more especially to be merciful in our regards to the poor (James 2:13): For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Take notice here, (1.) The doom which will be passed upon impenitent sinners at last will be judgment without mercy; there will be no mixtures or allays in the cup of wrath and of trembling, the dregs of which they must drink. (2.) Such as show no mercy now shall find no mercy in the great day. But we may note, on the other hand, (3.) That there will be such as shall become instances of the triumph of mercy, in whom mercy rejoices against judgment: all the children of men, in the last day, will be either vessels of wrath or vessels of mercy. It concerns all to consider among which they shall be found; and let us remember that blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 23

 Avoid, Abstain, & Abhor the Sin of Partiality Part 6

James 2:11 For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. KJV Note:NKJV=New King James Version

The Law of God has complete integrity and wholeness and is morally sound not merely because of what it says, but more importantly because of Who says it, for He (Adonai, Elohim, Jehovah, Jesus Christ) is Pure, Perfect, and Powerful, therefore, it is the Law Giver that makes all of His Law righteous and good, so we now read the Apostle James declaring to us this next verse to solidify his point that though many do not see favortism as an egregious sin, it is so to the Holy Law Giver, "For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law." (James 2:11) (KJV). There is complete Oneness with God and His Law. It is the resisiting of the Authority of God that is perpetrated by the man 👨 or woman 👩 of God that sees some parts of His Holy Law and Holy Word negligible while at the same time reverencing or fearing other parts of them. The Law of God nor the Word of God is a buffet line where one can look at and then pick and choose what one wants and walk by what doesn't appeal to one's taste or appetites, for this line of thinking and believing is what the enemy of God offers to the soul of men 🚹 and women 🚺. The Law of God as we have declared in the previous Volume 22 was not given by God to save us, but it was given by God to us to show us how impossible it was and is for any of us to keep it perfectly in all 👉 points, therefore, it was and is humanities (that is, every sinner not yet saved by grace) schoolmaster to lead them to Christ. The Apostle Paul declares this point very directly with these words he wrote to the Galatian believers who had begun to go away from faith and to pursue or revert back the law of Moses, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.' But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith.' Yet the law is not of faith, but 'the man who does them shall live by them.' Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:10-14) (NKJV). It is being 'in Christ' having received the promise of the Holy Spirit of God within us that makes us into 'new creatures or creations' ('Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.') (2 Corinthians 5:17) (NKJV) and then only when we yield to Him can we live according to the will of God found in the Law of God and the Word of God. Amen!!

Here is what Matthew Henry said of James 2:11, "One, perhaps, is very severe in the case of adultery, or what tends to such pollutions of the flesh; but less ready to condemn murder, or what tends to ruin the health, break the hearts, and destroy the lives, of others: another has a prodigious dread of murder, but has more easy thoughts of adultery; whereas one who looks at the authority of the Lawgiver more than the matter of the command will see the same reason for condemning the one as the other. Obedience is then acceptable when all is done with an eye to the will of God; and disobedience is to be condemned, in whatever instance it be, as it is a contempt of the Authority of God; and, for that reason, if we offend in one point, we contemn (look down on with disdain) the Authority of Him who gave the whole law, and so far are guilty of all." Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 2:11, "That is, the authority that gave one commandment gave also the rest; and he who breaks one resists this Authority; so that the breach of any one commandment may be justly considered a breach of the whole law. It was a maxim also among the Jewish doctors that, if a man kept any one commandment carefully, though he broke all the rest, he might assure himself of the favor of God; for while they taught that 'He who transgresses all the precepts of the law has broken the yoke, dissolved the covenant, and exposed the law to contempt, and so has he done who has broken even one precept,' (Mechilta, fol. 5, Yalcut Simeoni, part 1, fol. 59), they also taught, 'that he who observed any principal command was equal to him who kept the whole law;' (Kiddushin, fol. 39); and they give for example, 'If a man abandon idolatry, it is the same as if he had fulfilled the whole law,' (Ibid., fol. 40.) To correct this false doctrine James lays down that in the 11th verse. Thus they did and undid."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…