Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 78
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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? 6 But you dishonour
the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you
and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the
ones who slander J esus Christ, whose noble
name* you bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the
royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love
your neighbour as yourself.”* 9 But if you
favour some people over others, you are
committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking
the law.
10 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. 11 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.
12 So whatever you say or whatever you do,
remember that you will be judged by the law
that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy
for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will
be merciful when he judges you.
Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead
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? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister
who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say,
“Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm
and eat well”—but then you don’t give that
2:7
Acts 11:26
1 Pet 4:16
2:8
*Lev 19:18
Matt 7:12
Rom 13:8
2:10
Matt 5:19
Gal 5:3
2:11
*Exod 20:13-14
*Deut 5:17-18
Matt 19:18
2:12
Jas 1:25
2:13
Matt 18:32-35
Luke 6:38
2:15
Matt 25:35-36
2:16
1 Jn 3:17-18
2:17
Gal 5:6
Jas 2:20, 26
2:18
Matt 7:16-17
Rom 3:28
J A M E S 2 : 1 8
African Touch Points
The Poor
Have you ever been denied fair treatment because you
are poor? Many in Africa have this experience. Some
have dropped out of school because they could not pay
their fees. Others have died because they could not
afford the cost of simple medication. Many poor people
are not given the rights, privileges, dignity, and honour
due to them. They often receive harsh mistreatment,
injustice, and discrimination. At special functions, those
who dress well are given seats among the dignitaries
and receive special attention, while those who dress
poorly are kept away from the head table.
We can learn how to treat the poor by seeing the
way Jesus and the early church treated them. James
2:1-11 tells Christians to treat poor people in the same
way they would treat the rich. What matters is a person’s relationship with God. Jesus spoke of reaching
out to the poor as part of his anointing (Luke 4:18-19).
Giving special treatment to people on the basis of their
social and economic status is against the teachings
of Jesus. James tells us not show favouritism. The
Kingdom of God does not discriminate. Neither should
we. Jesus blessed the poor and promised them the
Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3). The Bible clearly
states that the Kingdom of God is for them.
person any food or clothing. What good does
that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.
Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead
and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people
have faith; others have good deeds.” But I
2:7 Greek slander the noble name.
2:8 Lev 19:18. 2:11 Exod 20:13-14; Deut 5:17-18.
P r o verbs & S t or i es
Singing Lullabies to a Hungry Child
Some say, Ni utheri kwinira uri na mpara, meaning, “It is sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye
pointless to sing lullabies to a hungry child.” This saying and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then
was used in many parts of Africa to express the uselessness you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good
of ignoring the physical needs of a person while at the same does that do?” Thus faith by itself if it does not have works
time trying to get cooperation from them. Most Africans is dead. Churches will only grow healthy through engaging
agree with James 2:15-17, “Suppose you see a brother or the whole person: mind, heart, and body.
Applica ti on
Dead or Living Faith? • James 2:14-19
Both Africans and Jews have strong rules about dead people says we are saved by faith and not by works, while James says
and animals. When a living thing dies, it must be removed that saving faith must produce works. Such works do not earn
immediately. It must be properly disposed of so that it will salvation, but they are the result and evidence of faith. We are
not smell or contaminate the environment. When James not saved by good deeds but are saved to produce good deeds
says the type of faith without works is dead faith, he was (Ephesians 2:8-9).
using a very strong picture of how useless and unwanted
Faith without works is dead! Your life as a Christian must
impact others around you positively as evidence of what
such faith is.
Many people think there is a contradiction between James’s Christ has done in you. Is your faith dead or alive? Let your
teaching on the importance of works and Paul’s teaching in faith display the good works that will glorify God and bless
Ephesians and Galatians on the importance of faith. They are the people who are in need. Put your faith into action and
actually complementary and not contradictory. Paul’s teaching many will believe your message.