We should not treat the rich better than the poor just because they are rich. In the church there should be no difference. A poor brother may have better teaching and understanding than a rich brother. So treat the poor man with the same respect as the rich man. We might judge with bad thoughts and think that the rich man is worth more to us because he might give us money or a gift. We should treat both the rich and the poor as neighbors and treat them as we ourselves would want to be treated.
God demands evidence of faith such as obedience and love. By faith Abraham obeyed God even when it was against his natural will. Abraham was called the Friend of God. Rahab treated her neighbor as herself and by faith she showed love and care for God’s people by helping the spies of Israel.
Obedience to God and love to all other people is evidence of faith. Many people believe facts about the one true God, but that is not evidence of true salvation. Other people cannot see faith in your heart. Being justified by faith is what God sees, but being justified by works is what other people see. If you have no works of obedience towards God and love towards other people, then there is no evidence of faith in your life. Your faith is not real, because faith without works is dead. If you are saved, Matthew 5:1616Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) tells you, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1. Who should you love as much as you love yourself? __________ James 2:___
2. If you keep the whole law except one commandment, such as assisting the poor, how many commandments are you guilty of breaking? __________ James 2:___
3. If you say you are saved but you do not have the works of obedience and love, what is dead in you? __________ James 2:___
4. Because the devils believe there is one God, what do they do? __________ James 2:___
5. Who believed God and was called the Friend of God? __________ James 2:___