Verse :10 always stands out for me for even though I may not act on a particular sin doesn’t mean I don’t think about it! So I know I need to bring every thought into captivity.(is that works? ) Also verse:24 Sometimes I struggle with this ,when to solve a problem on my own and when to stand still and let God handle things. I know I need works like serving , helping ,setting proper example but faith well I want to have faith and many times I have had faith but sometimes I waver . I’m hoping this is normal
In the second chapter, we are told not to judge by physical appearances. They can be deceptive.
We have seen that happen where a person came to services dressed inappropriately, but he quickly realized it and came back next Sabbath with appropriate dress.
He is now a valuable member of the congregation.
Do we still do this when we only fellowship with our friends at Sabbath services?
Robert spoke of the aspect of partiality at the beginning of this chapter. Partiality comes in many forms. Any bias or prejudice we hold against any other person (within the body of Christ or without) IS partiality. Do we make assumptions about people without knowing their story? Do we pass judgment without facts? Are we unmerciful in the way we think about, talk about, or act toward others? All of this is a type of partiality.
Verses 10-11 are sobering. We’re told in Matthew 5 that, as Sarah pointed out earlier, even thinking about something that is not aligned with God’s law is a sin. We are all guilty in one way or another, even though, with God’s help, we strive to bring every thought into captivity. I often hear comparative talk about sin: “That’s a big sin, but this is a little sin” is the essence of it.
There are no degrees of sin. All sins have the same price: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Comparative sin thinking is rationalization (“My sin isn’t as bad as someone else’s sin. I would never do that!”) It is also comparing ourselves with others instead of against our Standard. It is something we have to fight in our own personal reasoning and how we view and think about sin.
Verse 16 resonates powerfully with me because I’ve seen it. People with much doing nothing to help someone in need. People with little helping the best they could. Sentiments alone are nothing. We must be actively helping and serving wherever and whoever we can. But we must do it in the faith, recognizing that God gives us the ability and not our own means and efforts. The honor, glory, and credit belong to him.
Wow! Another jam packed chapter! Amen to the previous comments by Sarah, Stephanie, and Robert.
I have also pondered on the life of Rehab…
“James 2:25 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
We all know lying is sin yet at times lies slip out without thinking and lead to both spiritual and physical consequences – when even upon repentance and spiritual forgiveness, the physical consequences remain (using King David as an example). Rahab lied yet was counted among the faithful. Possibly because at the time of her lie she didn’t know any better. I was backed into the proverbial corner and lied out of self-preservation and desperation many, many years ago, I have repented and have been forgiven by our Great merciful and loving God; however, the physical consequences of that sin are ongoing just as they were with King David. It hurts and I know that God will wipe away my tears, I look forward to life eternal when forgiveness of each other will abound and relationships will be restored.
The intersection of faith and works is a fascinating topic for me. I think I’ve seen both ditches in my life—people who are always stressing over whether they’ve “done enough” to make it into the Kingdom, and people who think the act of believing is enough for them to coast on in.
Trying to find the balance between the two—to believe that nothing I can do can earn me a place in God’s Kingdom while also knowing that the gift I’ve been given must result in ACTION or else it’s dead—it’s not easy. Both ditches are tempting in their own ways, and it’s not always obvious when you’re falling into one or the other. I want to do some deeper study and reflection on the relationship between these two things.
James’s point that even the demons believe is such a powerful one. True faith in God prompts a certain lifestyle.
Verse :10 always stands out for me for even though I may not act on a particular sin doesn’t mean I don’t think about it! So I know I need to bring every thought into captivity.(is that works? ) Also verse:24 Sometimes I struggle with this ,when to solve a problem on my own and when to stand still and let God handle things. I know I need works like serving , helping ,setting proper example but faith well I want to have faith and many times I have had faith but sometimes I waver . I’m hoping this is normal
In the second chapter, we are told not to judge by physical appearances. They can be deceptive.
We have seen that happen where a person came to services dressed inappropriately, but he quickly realized it and came back next Sabbath with appropriate dress.
He is now a valuable member of the congregation.
Do we still do this when we only fellowship with our friends at Sabbath services?
Robert spoke of the aspect of partiality at the beginning of this chapter. Partiality comes in many forms. Any bias or prejudice we hold against any other person (within the body of Christ or without) IS partiality. Do we make assumptions about people without knowing their story? Do we pass judgment without facts? Are we unmerciful in the way we think about, talk about, or act toward others? All of this is a type of partiality.
Verses 10-11 are sobering. We’re told in Matthew 5 that, as Sarah pointed out earlier, even thinking about something that is not aligned with God’s law is a sin. We are all guilty in one way or another, even though, with God’s help, we strive to bring every thought into captivity. I often hear comparative talk about sin: “That’s a big sin, but this is a little sin” is the essence of it.
There are no degrees of sin. All sins have the same price: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Comparative sin thinking is rationalization (“My sin isn’t as bad as someone else’s sin. I would never do that!”) It is also comparing ourselves with others instead of against our Standard. It is something we have to fight in our own personal reasoning and how we view and think about sin.
Verse 16 resonates powerfully with me because I’ve seen it. People with much doing nothing to help someone in need. People with little helping the best they could. Sentiments alone are nothing. We must be actively helping and serving wherever and whoever we can. But we must do it in the faith, recognizing that God gives us the ability and not our own means and efforts. The honor, glory, and credit belong to him.
I want to be called “a friend of God.”
Wow! Another jam packed chapter! Amen to the previous comments by Sarah, Stephanie, and Robert.
I have also pondered on the life of Rehab…
“James 2:25 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
We all know lying is sin yet at times lies slip out without thinking and lead to both spiritual and physical consequences – when even upon repentance and spiritual forgiveness, the physical consequences remain (using King David as an example). Rahab lied yet was counted among the faithful. Possibly because at the time of her lie she didn’t know any better. I was backed into the proverbial corner and lied out of self-preservation and desperation many, many years ago, I have repented and have been forgiven by our Great merciful and loving God; however, the physical consequences of that sin are ongoing just as they were with King David. It hurts and I know that God will wipe away my tears, I look forward to life eternal when forgiveness of each other will abound and relationships will be restored.
Hi Diane, I’m not Stephanie. I don’t use my full name on the internet because I work in IT and know how this stuff gets scraped. Nice to meet you! 🙂
The intersection of faith and works is a fascinating topic for me. I think I’ve seen both ditches in my life—people who are always stressing over whether they’ve “done enough” to make it into the Kingdom, and people who think the act of believing is enough for them to coast on in.
Trying to find the balance between the two—to believe that nothing I can do can earn me a place in God’s Kingdom while also knowing that the gift I’ve been given must result in ACTION or else it’s dead—it’s not easy. Both ditches are tempting in their own ways, and it’s not always obvious when you’re falling into one or the other. I want to do some deeper study and reflection on the relationship between these two things.
James’s point that even the demons believe is such a powerful one. True faith in God prompts a certain lifestyle.