PREPARING FOR THE SERMON
April 14, 2024
James 2:1-13
Context:
In Matthew 22, Jesus responded to the Pharisees that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. James leans upon what he calls the “royal law” in demonstrating practical application of the principle. At the close of chapter one, James referenced widows and orphans as pertinent to biblical fidelity. In chapter two, he begins by continuing to stress the importance of love and honor in spite of social status as faithful behavior of a believer.
The concept of “as yourself” is applied to judgment. In this case, the degree of mercy shown is the degree of judgment received. Applying Jesus’ teaching of loving your neighbor as yourself is upheld in a way consistent with being doers of the Word and not hearers only. It is not enough to claim love without actual everyday obedience.
Structure:
2:1-4 “do not show favoritism” v 1
2:5-11 “if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” v 9
2:12-13 “speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom” v 12
Theology: love, judgment, freedom, mercy
Some things to think about: