September 11, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Ezra and James? Here’s today’s reading:
James 2 (NIV)
Favoritism Forbidden
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say,……Continue Reading
We can become quick to overlook what we consider “small” sins and focus on more obvious sins. We use it as a way to make ourselves feel better when we see someone who seems to be sinning “bigger” than us. James is clear here that all sin is just that, sin! We must obey all the laws not just the ones we think more serious than others.
Faith should drive action, they will know you by your fruits. If we claim to love God, believe God sent His Son for us, and that we are now new creations then that should bring with it a desire to live a righteous life. We should want to make right decisions, serve, put others first, and spread God’s love and truth. Faith’s strength comes from the One we place it in and we have a big God that wants to use us to do big things but that requires that we DO something!
James 2
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:26 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.2.26.NIV
It is tempting to treat people who can offer us something better than those who may need something from us, but such favoritism has no place amongst God’s people. We should treat all with the same regard and then any evaluation being based in behavior and character, not their position or possessions. And it makes perfect sense that faith is best expressed in the decisions we make, the things we do and say and the things we consider important. So, actions validate/justify faith (show that it is real), but it is still our faith in Jesus that justifies us before God. We do things as believers because we are saved, not in order to be saved. But the faith that saves is one that effects and changes our lives.
All people in the church are to be treated with the same love, compassion and care. The extent of our interaction with them should have nothing to do with what they look like, what they’ve done, how much money they have or how popular they are. We are all in the same boat when it comes to the most important aspect of our lives – we are all sinners in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ. And if we believe in Christ, but do nothing to help others, serve him or advance his kingdom, then our faith can be questioned because people who are saved should be engaged in the things of God. These are all good reminders for me personally so I am grateful this morning for the words of James.
James 2
James 2
The book of James sparks memories in me, when I was a new believer, our women’s midweek bible study group committed to memorizing the book of James, I think i memorized the first chapter at least, not that I could recite it, but know the verses and that they are in James and the general truths in the whole book, of course.
Another memory is, as a house church group, sitting in a circle and praying for a missionary couple who were robbed and suffered great financial loss. Just after was a teaching on this scripture: (coincidentally🤔)
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”
James 2:15-16 NKJV
After the sermon which often involved interactive discussion, a few said, “are we telling this brother “keep warm and well fed” when we can meet their need right now?” Right then and there we decided to give them the amount needed.
As a fairly new believer, it was encouraging to see how the body works, loving and caring for one another.
May we continue to do similar things as a church!!!
James 2
Love this scripture. Being a Christian is not just affirming the correct doctrines or reciting and agreeing with biblical facts. When you commit your mind and your heart to Jesus Christ. Main byproduct is to help others in need. Now that is true joy!! In a world with close fist. Me. Me. Me. We spread the gospel by our actions not by our words!!!