Three Strikes and You’re Out

James 2:8-13

James gives sin of partiality and his treatment of it as an example. Uses a strong line of reasoning to demonstrate how this sin along with others is not matter of opinion or interpretation, how practicing it (or other sins) is antithetical to pursuit of holiness. Trials/temptations along with the Word are God’s means of moving his children along toward holiness. The response of true child of God – obedience to the Word/Law of God resulting from love for God and fueled by faith in God.

LBCF I.1 The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.

Proper way to determine progress in sanctification: check our conformity to the rule. If the rule is silent on a point, we have liberty. If the rule speaks on a point, we must conform – because we desire to please Heavenly Father AND in dependence on his supply of resources. Both the obedience/works and the faith are essential to growth in sanctification; growth ceases if either is lacking, may even turn into decline if lack occurs over extended/prolonged period of time.

Perhaps a sizable segment within early church defended their bad behavior by claiming to follow Jesus’ command, “love one another”. That could explain James’ use of really/truly/certainly (μέντοι) – “if you really fulfill the royal law” (8). Claiming to do something out of love doesn’t negate all other standards; love is defined and exemplified quite explicitly throughout Scripture. Having right understanding of love and obedience requires right understanding of God’s Law, its relationship to itself. Also important to keep in mind that general and comprehensive pattern of one’s life is good predictor of God’s assessment of person, what his declaration will be on the Great Day.

A. Strike 1 – love v.8

νόμος, nomos, almost always functions as collective noun in Scripture – singular word, law, referring to a body of individual laws/statutes. God’s Law usually refers to moral code expressed in 10 Commandments, summarized in the two (love God and neighbor) and then the one Law of Love. Since the one and the two summarize the 10, references to the one or two include the 10 in meaning and application. James uses other terms to speak of God’s Law:

perfect law of liberty (1:25)
royal law (2:8) whole law (2:10) law of liberty (2:12)

Surrounding context shows what James had in mind: 10 commandments and associated application. Love is sum of the Law, Decalogue is substance of the Law, Sermon on the Mount shows depth of the Law that was fulfilled (brought to its ultimate goal) in Christ and should likewise be in each of us as we are conformed to his image.

Called “royal law” – came from the king, rules the kingdom, the one stated is summation of the rest that govern human relationships. As with remainder of God’s Law, character of the law derives from character of lawgiver. Lawgiver, God is: perfect, trustworthy, righteous, holy, just, good, and so is his law (Ps. 19:7, 9; Rom. 7:12). The Lord who is Judge and Lawgiver is also King (Isa. 33:22); the law of the King is rightly called a royal law. It is law that governs the King’s kingdom – when we pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, what are we asking? That mankind would do the will of God which is… “if you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15).

obedience <> love; love <> obedience. Neither one can be reduced to the other. Are associated together throughout Scripture: Ex. 20:6; De. 5:10; 7:9; 11:1; Neh. 1:5; Dan. 9:4; John 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 Ti. 1:5; 1 John 5:2, 3; 2 John 1:6. Love is shown by obedience, love fuels and motivates obedience. Obedience without love is mere formalism, unacceptable to God; love without obedience is empty and meaningless.

What is love? First, a desire to be one with the one loved; second, delight when that union is achieved; third, lavish and sacrificial giving to obtain and maintain union. #1 example: God. Don’t have to think long or hard about relationship between Heavenly Father and his children to see that at work. God loved the world and sent his Son (John 3:16); he “takes great delight” (NET) in his children, exults over them with singing (Zeph. 3:17); the Father gave the Son, the Son gave himself for his children, the church (1 John 4:10; Eph. 5:25). All that is the exact opposite of prejudicial partiality which is thus ruled out by definition and character of love. Strike 1!

B. Strike 2 – law v.9-11

partiality is sin, violation of law (9) James doesn’t beat around the bush – showing partiality = sin = breaking the law. In this case, sin of both omission and comission; or as catechism puts it, “sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.” (WSC, Q14) At a minimum: one being shunned is not being loved as neighbor (failure to conform to 2nd great command), is being treated/thought of unjustly (transgression of C5, proper relationships, & C6, murder).

the law is a unity – violation of one part is violation of all (10) You cannot sin against one aspect of the law in isolation from the rest. Violation of one part is all that is necessary to make one a lawbreaker; you don’t have to break every command to be guilty of sin. Nor does keeping one part get you points that offset breaking it in another part. If the diamond is the law of God, each facet is a command; to disregard or disrespect one facet is to show contempt for entire diamond.

authority of law comes from lawgiver (11a) God’s Word is authoritative because it is God’s Word; so, too, with God’s Law. Meaning and application of God’s Law not up for grabs when he has given instruction and/or example. “That’s your interpretation” doesn’t cut it when there are clear guidelines to follow given in Scripture.

one command is not more “essential” or higher priority than another (11b) Both have same source, since God is unity, so is his law. Unfortunately not the mindset in the church today. According to statistics, divorce occurs at same rate and for largely same reasons as in culture at large. Yet while most church-goers would avoid murder, breaking the 6th commandment, at all costs, few if any regard divorce as equally serious transgression of the 7th, intended to safeguard marriage.

partiality equated with murder – farfetched? not given John’s teaching about “hate”

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15)

based on Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 5:22) “whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”

based on Lev. 19:17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart.” Showing partiality in way described by James indicates judgmental sinful way of thinking about a neighbor, effectively an expression of hatred toward them rather than the love Christ requires. Strike 2!

C. Strike 3 – judgment v.12-13

standard of judgment is Law (12) not just any law, the law of liberty (aka, law of God, law of Christ, law of love, etc.) Why, how can law and liberty go together? First, lawlessness does not = liberty or freedom; equates to slavery in sin. In contrast, faithfully following God’s law as rule of life (not means to justification) signifies liberty from sin, Satan and self. Therefore, it is the only suitable standard for speech and action.

individual’s attitude toward Law parallel’s God’s view of their performance (13a) Do we hold God’s law in contempt, disregarding its commands and principles, determined to do our own thing? Strike 3! Or do we like the Psalmist (Psa. 119:97, 113, 163) love God’s law because of it’s intimate connection with and reflection of the Lawgiver? From that love of God’s Law do we strive to obey it by faith? Do we lovingly and anxiously anticipate the Lord Jesus’ return? Having received mercy from God that enables us to think and act this way, do we show mercy to others? If so, we can expect mercy from God when that Day arrives.

showing / receiving mercy not a quid pro quo (13b) We don’t earn God’s mercy by showing mercy. Rather, mercy we show to others flows out of mercy God has already and still is granting to us. When God shows mercy to his children in that Day, he is publicly acknowledging the great work of grace he has done in them.

see how you measure up now rather than later — James for our edification has given profound example of analysis here: take a particular behavior, examine it in light of Biblical precept and principle. The particular “infraction” cited might seem moderately harmless on the surface; on closer inspection, partiality just like any habitual sin will absolutely derail pursuit of holiness. May God give us grace and strength that we may daily put to death sin more and more, determined to live by faith in way that pleases him that we may receive mercy on that great Day.

Look Up!

Isaiah 56:9-57:21

Back in 56:1, Jewish people exhorted to live particular lifestyle, follow particular principles because God was about to do something big. Word didn’t exist in 8th century BC, today we’d call it living counter-culturally. Swimming upstream. Going against the flow. No big surprise really, God called his people to show their identity by actions, choices, priorities. All of that while living in culture radically opposed to following the true God. Much wrong with society in which God’s people were immersed, required to function; we’ll get into details shortly, but are surprisingly similar to what is around us today.

Creating a God-fearing (Christian) sub-culture not an option for Jews, patronizing only plumbers and mechanics and carpenters and grocers and merchants with same worldview they had. God required them to maintain right thoughts and desires and actions while interacting daily with people with much different priorities. Would have been easy for them to look at God’s promises on one hand, at circumstances and culture on the other, wonder how God could possibly bring about his purpose given quality of material he had to work with.

God had much to say to people of Isaiah’s day – leaders responsible for spiritual and political well-being of the people. The shepherds, charged with watching over and guarding the flock of God. The society at large was nothing to write home about and God had words for them, too. Strong words of condemnation that should have aroused them to corrective action. Lest the righteous get the wrong idea, God gently but powerfully encourages and comforts the saints. Perhaps most heartening: God’s promise of his presence with the faithful.

A. shepherds v.56:9-12

neglectful (9) God had appointed shepherds to care for his flock – watch and warn, guard and protect flock from harm. Instead, so neglectful of duties it’s like open season with no limit; shepherds doing their own thing, flock is left to own devices with nothing to stop predators from attacking.

blind (10a) Can you think of anything more useless and ineffective than blind watchman? Having duty to warn of danger, cannot see it approaching. Compound that with ignorance – spiritual leaders responsible for well-being of flock but unable to recognize danger even if they could see it.

mute (10b) Can’t even rely on faithful sheepdog to help, dogs are mute; sheepdog without bark has no way to communicate with sheep. Is unable to fulfill necessary role to keep flock together, alert them to danger, signal location of sheep that has wandered off.

lazy (10c) Now sinfulness of underlying character becomes more evident. Lazy and indolent, not wanting to rock the boat, unwilling to expend effort necessary to do job well. Just coasting, living on borrowed capital stored up at previous time.

greedy (11a) Insatiable appetites, never satisfied with what they have, always wanting more. Focused on personal desires instead of others’ needs.

clueless (11b) Charged with duties of shepherds but having no discernment, unfit for task and unable to meet needs of those dependent on them.

self-serving (11c) Far more serious, not even interested in what the sheep need, only care about self.

complacent (12) Eat, drink, be merry, tomorrow will be same-o, same-o. Nothing to worry about, keep doing what we’re doing.

B. society v.57:1, 3-13a, 20-21

callous (1) Society at large no better off than leaders; in fact, plagued with similar character. Shouldn’t be surprise, that leaders are reflection of basic cultural values. If shepherds were callous to needs of sheep, it follows the sheep will be callous to needs and circumstances of one another.

immoral (3,4b,8) Just as sheep follow lead of shepherd, so one generation follows example of previous one. Immorality in one generation only gets worse in the next as children are influenced by model of parents. Newton’s second law – increasing disorder – reflected in communication of values among people apart from God’s overruling.

irreverent (4a,11) Outward evidence of inward character deficit: attack those on other side with ridicule, contempt. Sneering hostility expressed toward God and his people fueled by arrogance and absence of fear of God. “I see no evidence of God, therefore I have nothing to fear.”

idolaters (5-7) Like their corrupt shepherds, sheep pursue what will satisfy their own desires. It’s an irrational chasing of pleasure – free sex and free abortion, offering sacrifice to dead/deaf/dumb blocks of wood and stone, a god of own defining.

jaded (9-10) Wearied with pursuit of things that don’t satisfy, refuse to give up; persist in the chase, going to mind-boggling lengths to be satisfied and not achieving it. Always on to more / bigger / better / brighter in hopes that finally will do it. Relentlessly running away from the only answer, God.

desperately misguided (12-13a) Trusting in own goodness, works, power of useless idols to deal with ultimate reality. God declares none of that will help, all so inconsequential that slightest breeze will blow it all away.

hopeless (20-21) Restless, always in turmoil, unable to find peace, wicked are without genuine hope. Even more ominous – God says there is no hope for those who persist in wickedness, who trust in own merits for deliverance.

C. saints v.2, 13b-19

So where’s the hope, what’s the alternative? Where do we find solution for discouragement, where do we find one who can deliver from an uncertain or unpleasant future? LOOK UP!

blessed with:

peace and security (2) There IS peace for the righteous, because they trust in God to deal with enemies and situations and circumstances beyond their control. There IS security for the righteous, because they trust in God to protect them. For the righteous, matters not whether you live or die – you are safe in God’s keeping, your soul and its destiny are secure in care of Heavenly Father.

inheritance (13b) The righteous have a sure inheritance because its not of their own making; is a gracious gift of God to them that are his. Also not a treasure found on Wall Street or Fort Knox or seen with earthly eyes or valued with earthly wisdom. Money can’t buy it, genius can’t acquire it, it’s a benefit that graciously accompanies adoption into royal family.

forward progress (14) Saints are assured of forward progress – there will be no insurmountable obstacles on the road to holiness and heaven. What might seem to be greatest obstacle, death, is in reality the greatest blessing for righteous – is what ushers believer into immediate presence of God.

God’s

presence (15a) Great news! Don’t have to wait until death to experience God’s presence; eternal Holy One who dwells on high (remember, LOOK UP!) also dwells with his people; not the proud and arrogant and self-sufficient but the humble who depend on him.

nourishing and sustaining (15b) God is with his people to lift their spirits, encourage, cheer up and revive those who are discouraged. God is always present in order to sustain and nourish souls of his children, provide all they need to serve him faithfully and arrive safely home.

compassion (16) Heavenly Father, Holy One knows his children’s needs, also knows their limits – how much they can endure of both persecution and correction.

healing and restoration (17-18) Even for some who might seem to be incorrigible, rebellious backsliders, God promises to heal and restore to fellowship.

reason for celebration (19) When God promises healing, those both near and far off can be assured of peace and hope. God gives them reason to celebrate – not their own accomplishments but rejoicing in his mercy and grace.

Are you discouraged? At your wit’s end? Frustrated? Are you just plodding along, one day like the next? Are you unsure of what future holds for you? Are you pretty sure your future isn’t pretty? LOOK UP! Turn your eyes to Jesus. Matters not whether it’s the first time in true faith, the bazillionth time. He stands ready to save, to help, to encourage and sustain.

Are you doing OK? Trusting in the Lord, walking each day by faith, growing closer to him each day? Your neighbor isn’t. Your brother or sister or son or daughter or parent or coworker isn’t. They need to hear the good news – there’s a God who loves sinners and will surely receive and forgive all who come to him by faith. As the Lord brings these lost souls across your path, trust him to give you the words and then speak up, tell them to LOOK UP!