is excited to rebellion by the promulgation of laws. So evil are we, that we conceive at once the desire to commit an act, simply because it is forbidden." Charles Spurgeon
1:22 This is particularly applicable to the many commands to evangelize this world.
1:23–25 The only way you and I can see ourselves in truth is to look into a mirror. Yet a mirror can only do its job and reflect truth if there is bright light. In Scripture, the Law of God is called both a mirror (James 1:23–25;
2:11,12) and light (Proverbs 6:23). Many of today's "converts" aren't shown the mirror of the Law. We think that a long look at what they are in truth will be too painful for them, so "All have sinned" is all we tell them.
Without the conviction of their own sin, they are stillborn with no life in them.
CHAPTER 2 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come to your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And you have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand there, or sit here under my footstool:
THE FUNCTION OF THE LAW 2:10 "It is of great importance that the sinner should be made to feel his guilt, and not to the impression that he is unfortunate.
Do not be afraid, but show him the breadth of the divine Law, and the exceeding strictness of its precepts. Make him see how it condemns his thoughts and life. By a convicted sinner, I mean one who feels himself condemned by the Law of God, as a guilty sinner.
"I remark that this [the Law] is the rule, and the only just rule by which the guilt of sin can be measured ... Every man need only consult his own consciousness faithfully and he will see that it is equally affirmed by the mind's own intuition to be right." Charles Finney
4 Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?
6 But you have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which you are called?
8 If you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbour as yourself, you do well:
9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.
14 What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
"What can be wiser than in the highest sense to bless our fellow men—to snatch a soul from the gulf that yawns, to lift it up to the heaven that glorifies, to deliver an immortal from the thralldom of Satan, and to bring him into the liberty of Christ?"
CHARLES SPURGEON 1 9 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 See how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
2:16 "Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all: the apathy of human beings." Helen Keller 2:17 Faith without works. A Christian farmer in western Kansas felt sure that God spoke to him to give his $40,000 hail insurance to missions. So, in faith he gave the money, trusting that God would protect his crop. Sure enough, the hail came and severely damaged all his neighbor's crops, but not his.
In contrast, there is a well-known story about a brilliant tightrope artist named Blondin, who pushed a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. After he had walked to the other side, the crowd roared with applause at his amazing feat.
He asked a small boy in the crowd if he believed that Blondin could walk back. The boy said, "Yes, sir!" He then asked if the boy thought he could do it with him in the wheelbarrow. The boy said he believed he could do it, to which the famous tightrope walker said, "Good! Jump in then and I will take you!" The boy would not get in.
Here are two different types of faith. The farmer had faith that he had heard from God; he was so sure that he was prepared to step out. But the boy's faith was (understandably) lacking; he wasn't prepared to step out, and get in. Many sincere folks have a measure of faith in Jesus, but they have never trusted in Him. In that sense, their faith, because it doesn't have works with it, is dead.
2:20 "What is it [evolution] based upon?
Upon nothing whatever but faith, upon belief in the reality of the unseen—belief in the fossils that cannot be produced, belief in the embryological experiments that refuse to come off. It is faith unjustified by works."
Arthur N. Field 2:7 Witnessing to blasphemers. If you hear God's name taken in vain, don't tell the person it's offensive; use it as an opening for the gospel. Greet him, talk about something in the natural realm, then give him a gospel tract.
Gently say, "I noticed that you used God's name in vain. Do you know what you're actually doing when you do that?" Most people will say no. Then say, "Instead of using a filth word to express disgust, you're putting God's name in place of that word.
That's called 'blasphemy,' and the Bible says, 'The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.'"