Aug. 10, 2008
Background Scripture: James 2
Devotional Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Because he perceived that the Letter of James undermined his doctrine of “salvation by grace and faith alone,” Martin Luther branded this New Testament book as “a right strawy epistle.” Many generations of Christians have thus assumed that Paul and Luther are in serious conflict with James over the subject of faith and works: That Paul teaches salvation by faith, while James espouses salvation by works.

This, however, is a false dichotomy, for Paul and James are basically on the same side of this question, although they use the terms “faith” and “works” differently. For Paul, “faith” is a trust in God alone that governs our lives. But when James speaks of “faith,” he is referring to beliefs that we hold in our minds, even though they do not basically govern the way that we live. The “works” of which James writes do not save us. But they are evidence that our faith goes beyond mere ideas and beliefs.

In other words, talking the talk is not enough; we must also walk the walk. But many Christians never get around to walking the walk.
We may memorize the teachings of Jesus, but if we do not live those teachings we neither help ourselves nor others.

No partiality

The writer of James gives us a specific example that is just as applicable today as it was when he wrote his epistle: “My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

“For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing, and say ‘Have a seat here, please,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit at my feet,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?’” (2:1-5).

At one time, Alexandria was a great Christian center and the gospel had a great appeal for many Egyptians. But it lost out to Islam because the Greek Christians of Egypt treated Egyptians with aloof contempt. The great attraction of Islam was its promise of brotherhood among believers.

How ironic that Christianity and its gracious message of brotherhood in Christ should fail in Egypt because of Christian prejudice against the people of that land.

William Barclay reminds us that Jesus himself was known as one who showed “no partiality” (Lk. 21). During his vision of the great sheet of clean and unclean animals, Peter learned that with God there is no partiality (Acts 10:34).

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul wrote that “God shows no partiality” (2:11), and he expands upon this in Ephesians 6:9 and Colossians 3:25. So why did Christianity lose Egypt? Because, though the Christians there knew the right words, they did not do what they knew to be right.

Despite the talk

James’ example in 2:1-5 is appropriate – not because the teaching is unknown, but because it is so often not practiced. How about your church? If a well-dressed financially and socially successful person comes into your church, is he or she treated differently than someone who comes in clothing tattered and torn?

Would your ushers seat a poor woman in the same pew with a woman in stylish and expensive attire? I hope that your church could pass that test, but I have been in churches where the deference to the rich and powerful was all too evident. When the World Council of Churches held its assembly in Evanston, Ill., the local Chamber of Commerce insisted that citizens, especially those who were hosting delegates, should “forget their prejudices” for the 17 days. But Lawrence Fisher commented that 17 days are not enough for the Christian, who “must forget his prejudices forever.”

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.