1. The Vital Importance of Speaking and Acting by the Law of Liberty James 2:14ff

2. Why is James so Despised? Luther “a Right strawy gospel” Pope Leo “Arise, Lord, and defend thine own vineyard against the wild beast that is devouring it.” Few books of the Bible have been more maligned than the little Book of James —J. R. Blue, A.B., Th.M, Ph.D., Chairman and Professor of World Missions Luther: “The Babylonian Captivity” Luther: “The Babylonian Captivity”

3. Remember Last Week?

4. 19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts [poneros dialogismos], adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” Matthew 15:19 (NASB) Remember Last Week? Your Heart can be a Spiritual Death Trap The Heart Poneros dialogismos (painful reasonings) Jesus Christ says there’s a process… Painful ReasoningsMy Judgments James says it’s a two-way street… Have you not become judges with evil motives ? (James 2:4)

5. The Juncture in James: do one or the other. Either: Poisonous Thoughts or Love. Life Under Law James 2:10 “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all!” Life Under Love James 2:8: “Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well…  An attitude of gratitude James 2:12 “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.”

6. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty

7. James vs. Paul: irreconcilable differences? On Faith… James 2:24 James 2:24 “…a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.!” Gal. 2:16 !! Gal. 2:16 !! “…by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified!” On Abraham… James 2:18 James 2:18 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” Gal. 3:6-7 Gal. 3:6-7 “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness …”

8. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty What are “Works” ? Earn a wage: ‘When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.’ Rom. 4:4 Paul (Gal.2:21) “If keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Salvation by Works is 100% non-Christian “Works” are an essential part of Christianity.

9. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 2:15-16 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 2:17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:17-18 (NLT) 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” Context:

10. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty 2:18 “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ (i.e., we all have different tastes) 2:18 But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 2:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! James 2:19 (NLT) 19

11. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty 2:20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 2:21-23 (The story of Abe… Let’s skip it for now… 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

12. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty  2:14 What use is it…faith, but…no works?  2:18 show me your faith  2:18 I will show you my faith…  2:20 Can’t you see that faith …is useless?  2:22 You see that faith was working …  2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. The Point? Faith before people Not faith before God!

13. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty  The Clincher Argument: 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. The Point? Faith before people Not faith before God!

14. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty The Point? Faith before people Not faith before God! She probably didn’t believe! Wonder if she instead… Turned the spies in? She was a real believer! Saved the spiesAt personal risk! Remember Rahab? “a loose goose”“believed God”

15. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty  James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.  Gal. 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus…since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified “make justified” “seem justified”

16. When should you expect someone to “seem justified” Glad you asked… New Testament 50 ad Old Testament 400 bc BEFORE the OT 2000 bc Abraham “father of faith”

17. Genesis 22 – Abraham & Isaac  Abraham & Sarah Childless.  Isaac was born 23 years later.  At age 12:  "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.“  WHY!? Human Sacrifice was Forbidden.  It was a Vital Prophecy about the Substitutionary Death of Jesus Christ. Mount Moriah: The rocky outcropping in Jerusalem located just north of the ancient city of David. It was on this rock that Abraham would have sacrificed Isaac as a burnt offering, but God intervened and provided a ram…. -Holman Bible Dictionary Copyright © 1991 Holman Bible Publishers.

18. Genesis 22 – Abraham & Isaac  Abraham & Sarah Childless.  Isaac was born 23 years later.  At age 12:  "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.“  WHY!? Human Sacrifice was Forbidden.  It was a Vital Prophecy about the Substitutionary Death of Jesus Christ.  Abraham’s Faith in God.  He Trusted in God’s Promises: Genesis 21:12 “for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac… He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; What name did Abraham give this place?

19. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty  James 2:21-23 (NASB) 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.Believed. ‘righteous’‘righteous’ Gen.15:6Gen.15:6 Mt. Moriah Gen. 22Gen. 22

20. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty PaulJames James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Both Paul & James agree: works never work with God! Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 2 Choices: 1)Try to BOAST before GOD 2)Get JUSTIFIED through Christ: 2 Choices: 1)Try to BOAST before GOD 2)Get JUSTIFIED through Christ:

21. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty PaulJames “Made Justified”“Regarded” Before GodBefore Men New BelieversOlder Believers Get It!Live It! “Justified” in Paul and James SalvationSanctification

22. James 2: Speak and Act by the Law of Liberty James 2:8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. James 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. DROP your “poisonous thoughts” Your new faith will easily replace that old trash! Find some LIBERTY! START sacrificially loving people even if it seems risky! That’s called faith-in- action! LET GO of your (cultural) elitism! Trust God instead! That’s how faith “matures”