James 2:1-17 (NRSV)
Read James 2:1-17 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? Verse 2For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, Verse 3and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," Verse 4have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Verse 5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? Verse 6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Verse 7Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
Verse 8You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Verse 9But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Verse 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. Verse 11For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Verse 12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. Verse 13For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Verse 14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? Verse 15If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, Verse 16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? Verse 17So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
Devotion
James holds up a mirror and asks us to take a good look at ourselves and our faith.
James challenges us to look at the hospitality we offer people – showing favoritism to more wealthy people and looking down on those who are poor. James challenges us to look at the way we care for those without food and clothing. He challenges us to consider whether our compassionate words are matched by our actions.
What do you see in James’ mirror? Chances are that it shows you that you don’t measure up to all that God expects of you. James’ mirror shows your poor faith as it is reflected in your works, and it challenges you to change your ways.
James’ mirror sends you running to God for mercy. And God’s extravagant mercy shown to you in Jesus restores your faith and sends you back to the poor, overflowing with God’s mercy.
Prayer
God, your mercy triumphs over your judgment. May your mercy transform my faith and manifest itself in works of love for others. Amen.