James 2:8-11 Part 2 of 2

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

 

But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James 2:1  My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? (see verses 1-7)

Deuteronomy 1:16-17  "At that time I instructed the judges, 'You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don't be afraid of anyone's anger, for the decision you make is God's decision. Bring me (Moses) any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.' " (see verses 9-18)

Leviticus 19:15  "Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly." (see verses 9-18)

Deuteronomy 16:19  "You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly." (see verses 18-20)

Job 34:19  "He (God) doesn't care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all." (see verses 10-30)

 

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. 

Matthew 5:19  "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." (see verses 17-20)

Galatians 3:10  But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written God's Book of the Law." (Deuteronomy 27:26; see verses 8-14)

Galatians 5:3  I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. (see verses 1-15)

 

For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. 

Exodus 20:14  "You must not commit adultery." (see also Deuteronomy 5:18)

Exodus 20:13  "You must not murder." (see also Deuteronomy 5:17)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 2:8-11 Part 1 of 2

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

 

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Leviticus 19:18  "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD."

Matthew 5:43-44  "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (see verses 43-48)

Matthew 19:19  "Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself." (see verses 16-26)

Matthew 22:39  "A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (see verses 34-40)

Mark 12:31  "The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." (see verses 28-34)

Luke 10:27  The man answered, "You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (see verses 25-37)

Romans 13:9  For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These--and other such commandments--are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (see verses 8-10)

Galatians 5:14  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (see verses 13-15)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 2:5-7 Part 3 of 3

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

 

Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Isaiah 52:4-5  This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Long ago my people chose to live in Egypt. Now they are oppressed by Assyria. What is this?" asks the LORD. "Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is blasphemed all day long." [see verses 1-12]

Romans 2:23-24  You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, "The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you." [Isaiah 52:5] [ see verses 1-12]

Romans 1:28  Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. [see all chapter 1]

2 Timothy 3:1-2  You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. [see verses 1-9]

Jeremiah 15:16  "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies." [see all chapter 15]

Acts 11:26  When he [Barnabas] found him [Saul], he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) [see verses 19-30]

Acts 15:16-17  " 'Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, so that the rest of humanity might seek the LORD, including the Gentiles--all those I have called to be mine. The LORD has spoken--' [Amos 9:11-12]" [see verses 1-35]

1 Peter 4:16  But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! [see verses 12-19]

 

[brackets are mine]

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 2:5-7 Part 2 of 3

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

 

But you dishonor the poor!

Proverbs 17:5  Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

1 Corinthians 11:22  What? Don't you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God's church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say? Do you want me to praise you? Well, I certainly will not praise you for this! (see verses 17-34)

 

Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 

Amos 4:1  Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, "Bring us another drink!" (see all chapter 4)

Habakkuk 1:4  The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. (see verses 1-4)

Malachi 3:5  "At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. (see verses 1-5)

Acts 8:3  But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from  house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. (see verses 1-3)

Acts 17:5-6  But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. "Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world," they shouted, "and now they are here disturbing our city, too." (see verses 1-9)

Acts 18:12-13  But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of "persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law." (see verses 4-17)

James 5:5-6  You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you. (see verses 1-6)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 2:5-7 Part 1 of 3

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

 

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world

Job 34:19  "He doesn't care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all."

1 Corinthians 1:26-28  Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose those things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

 

to be rich in faith? 

Luke 12:21  "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." (see verses 13-21)

Revelation 2:9  "I know about your suffering and your poverty--but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan."

2 Corinthians 8:9  You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

 

Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom 

Matthew 5:3  "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (see also Luke 6:20)

Matthew 25:34  "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.' "

Luke 12:32  "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom."

 

he promised to those who love him? 

Exodus 20:6  "But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."

1 Corinthians 2:9  That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (Isaiah 64:4; see all chapter 2)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 2:1-4

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

 

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ

Acts 7:2  This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran."

1 Corinthians 2:8  But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. (see verses 1-9)

 

if you favor some people over others? (see verses 2-3) 

James 2:9  But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

Leviticus 19:15  "Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly." 

Deuteronomy 1:16-17  "At that time I instructed the judges, 'You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don't be afraid of anyone's anger, for the decision you make is God's decision. Bring me (Moses) any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.' " (see verses 9-18)

2 Chronicles 19:7  "Fear the LORD and judge with integrity, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes." (see all chapter 19)

 

--well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?" 

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (see verses 1-13)

Isaiah 11:3-4  He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. (see all chapter 11)

John 7:24  "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly." (see verses 10-24)

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

James 1:26-27

If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

 

If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

Psalm 34:13  Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! (see verses 11-22)

Psalm 39:1  I said to myself, "I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me." (see all Psalm 39)

Psalm 141:3  Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. (see all Psalm 141)

James 3:2  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. (see verses 1-12)

1 Peter 3:10  For Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies." (see verses 8-12, also Psalm 34:12-16)

 

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress 

Matthew 25:36  " 'I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' " (see verses 31-40)

Deuteronomy 14:29  "Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all your work." (see verses 22-29)

Psalm 146:9  The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. (see all Psalm 146)

Isaiah 1:17  "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." (see all chapter 1)

and refusing to let the world to corrupt you. 

Romans 12:2  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (see all chapter 12)

James 4:4  You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. (see verses 1-10)

2 Peter 1:4  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. (see verses 3-11)

2 Peter 2:20  And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. (see all chapter 2)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.