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Sermon #12 — James Series
Title: God’s Royal Law
Text: James 2:1-9 Subject: The Evil of Respecting Persons Date: Tuesday Evening — May 5, 2015 Readings: Rex Bartley and Allen Kibby Introduction:
My subject tonight is God’s Royal Law. I want to talk to you as plainly as I can about how we who believe God “fulfil the royal law according to the Scriptures.” My text for this message is James 2:1-9. — God’s Royal Law. That’s my subject. Our Text is James 2:1-9.
Let me begin by stating as emphatically as I possibly can that which the Word of God teaches regarding believers and the law of God. — We are not under the law. We do not live by the law. We are not ruled by the law. We are not motivated by the law. Our lives are not governed by the law. There is absolutely no sense in which believers are under the law. How can I state the doctrine of Scripture as it needs to be stated?
Is this, or is it not the doctrine of Holy Scripture? — Let’s read the Book of God and see (Romans 6:14-15; 7:4; 8:1-4; 10:4; Galatians 3:13-14; 5:1-4; Colossians 2:6-23).
(Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
(Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Romans 10:4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(Galatians 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
(Galatians 5:1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(Colossians 2:6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments (rules, regulations, and ordinances of the Mosaic law) of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world (rules, regulations, and ordinances of the Mosaic law), why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not; (22) Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Let me say it one more time. I want you and all who hear my voice to hear it. Would to God every will-worship legalist in the world would hear what God says about this matter. — Believers are not under the law, but under grace! If you’re saved you’re not under the law. If you’re born again you’re not under the law. If you’re in Christ you’re not under the law. If you’re redeemed you’re not under the law. If you’re in grace you’re not under the law.
“Free from the law, O happy condition! Jesus hath bled and there is remission! Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall, Grace hath redeemed us once for all!
Now are we free, there’s no condemnation! Jesus provides a perfect salvation, ‘Come unto Me!’ O hear His sweet call! Come and He saves us once for all!
Children of God, O glorious calling! Surely His grace will keep us from falling! Passing from death to life at His call, Blessed salvation — Once for all!”
Proposition: Believers establish the law by faith in Christ (Romans 3:31); and believers honor the law by their universal love for one another.
That is the doctrine of Holy Scripture; and that is the doctrine of the 2nd chapter of James.
(James 2:1) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (6) But ye 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 ye are called? (8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
One Family
1st — The opening words of this chapter tell us that God’s Church in this world is one family. — “My brethren.” — What sweet words those two words are — “My brethren!”
Brothers and sisters love one another. Brothers and sister protect one another. Brothers and sisters overlook one another’s faults and weaknesses. Brothers and sisters excuse one another. Brothers and sisters forgive one another. Brothers and sisters learn to be forbearing with one another.
“Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne, We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts, and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.” — John Fawcett
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What sweet, sweet words — “My brethren!”
God’s Church, His family on earth, Though by the world unknown, Are people of a heav’nly birth, And in our Savior one.
Our Father is the God above, The Sovereign on His throne. And Christ, our Brother-King, in love, He claims us as His own!
Indwelt by God the Spirit we Are one in faith and love, And one with Christ eternally, Our home — Heaven above!
Oh, let us keep the unity, The blessed bond of peace, A loving, caring family, — All sinners saved by grace!
First, James asserts that God’s church in this world is one family.
Our Faith
2nd — The Holy Ghost here teaches us that the faith of God’s family is “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(James 2:1) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
All God’s people believe the doctrine of Christ. As surely as all Fortner’s eat mashed potatoes and gravy, all believers believe the doctrine of Christ. Our faith is “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Lord of Glory
3rd — Look at verse 1 again, and rejoice see our dear Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, described as “the Lord of Glory!” — What a great title for him who loved us and washed from our sins with his own blood! — “The Lord of Glory!”
(Philippians 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In 1 Corinthians 2 the Apostle Paul was inspired of God to call our dear Savior by this same great title — “The Lord of Glory”
(1 Corinthians 2:1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
He who is the Lord of Glory is the King of Glory of whom David taught us to sing (Psalm 24:1-10).
(Psalm 24:1) The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (2) For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. (3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (5) He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (6) This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. (7) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (8) Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (9) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (10) Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
The Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is the Jehovah of Glory!
Respect of Persons
4th — Read verses 1-4 and ask God the Holy Ghost to teach us the meaning of his Word in this place. — God is no respecter of persons and we must not be!
(James 2:1) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
It is the opinion of most people that money talks even in the house of God. It may be true that money talks and money rules everywhere else, especially in religion, but not in the house of God.
F. B. Meyer correctly stated, “This sin of making distinctions in God’s house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs.”
All social discrimination in the house of God is shamefully evil, and must not be tolerated (Acts 10:34-35; Colossians 3:1-11).
(Acts 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
(Colossians 3:1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
May God give us grace to cultivate and nourish in one another a spirit of love and unity, a social and spiritual oneness, with all believers rich and poor, black and white, learned and unlearned for Christ’s sake (1 Timothy 5:21).
(1 Timothy 5:21) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
There is something else taught in this passage that is commonly overlooked, perhaps conveniently overlooked. — God’s Church is not to seek and enlist the rich, the famous, and the powerful of this world in the service of Christ and his cause.
God has no respect for human flesh; and we should have none! — “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help” (Isaiah 31:1).
(Psalm 118:6) The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (7) The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. (8) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
(Psalm 20:7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
God’s Elect
5th — James here shows us that God’s elect are the poor of this world (v. 5).
(James 2:5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
(1 Corinthians 1:26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
What a good description James gives us of God’s saints in this world! —— God’s people are all…
A Question
6th — Now, let me ask you a question. — Do we violate God’s royal law, or obey it? Read verses 6-9, and you will find the answer.
(James 2:6) But ye 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 ye are called? (8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
The accusation of verse 6 is spoken sharply and plainly to all hypocritical pretenders of faith. — “But ye have despised the poor!” Obviously, James has shifted gears. Among those who are brethren in Christ, in the outward, visible church, there are many who are brethren in name only.
(James 2:8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
(Matthew 22:34) But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. (35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(Galatians 5:13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(Galatians 6:1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (4) But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (5) For every man shall bear his own burden. (6) Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
My brothers, my sisters in Christ, “covet earnestly the best gifts.” Here is the best of all the gifts of grace with which our great God adorns his people. — Brotherly love!
(Ephesians 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (5:1) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
(1 Corinthians 13:1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(James 2:1) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (6) But ye 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 ye are called? (8) If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Amen.
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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