James chapter 2 is a very insightful chapter on how a Christian should act and how not to act. In verses 1-13, James tells us not to exalt some higher than others, namely the rich and the poor.  This is true in every area of our life, but we need to especially make sure that everyone is looked upon as equals in the church.  It’s easy though isn’t it to make more of a fuss when a important person in the community walks through the door, compared to the average Joe that walks in.  Our culture has taught us to give special treatment to those that our society deems important.  We do this I believe because we think that these “special” people can do something for us, or make us look good being in our presence.  But God doesn’t care about status, who’s a big shoot and who’s not.  And to act like one is more important than and another in church is, just plain stupid.  By shunning one we could be playing with someone’s salvation and I don’t want to be that person on the day of judgment.     

Then in verses 14-26 the remaining verses, James dives into some sticky theology for many, faith and works.  Right out of the gate James says, “faith without works is dead”.  This can be scary ground for some people.  James is telling us that as a Christian our faith needs to be working for God, put into action, doing the Lords work.  Many people see these passages and believe that James is almost at odds with Paul, because of what Paul said in Eph. 2:8-9; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.”

However read James 2:14 & 24 again and you’ll see what James is trying to get across to us. “14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”  James is plainly telling us that the kind of faith that saves will be obvious by the good works we produces for the kingdom of God.  Paul, himself who would never suggest that we are saved by our works, did say that we are saved for good works.  Check out Ephesians 2:8-10 to see for yourself. So if faith is salvation’s foundation, works are its gauge.