James 2

This chapter is LOADED with amazing stuff!  Here are some raw, quick hit thoughts for today:

1.   Everyone bashes favoritism.  But it is incredibly subtle.  It also feels good when we’re on the receiving end.  AND, it’s the way the world works.  Never seen a “seats for the rich, floor for the poor” sign in any church. However, in our humanity we’re all partial to people like us.  Btw – what are the implications when we apply this principle to the “spiritually rich” and “spiritually poor”?

2.  God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world.  Being born an American is a blessing.  But, could it also be a curse?

3.  Live like someone who will be judged by the Law?  Still chewing on this one…but I’m glad I’m going to be judged by my position in Christ!

4.  Mercy wins out!! That’s why I love PEOPLE OF THE SECOND CHANCE – www.potsc.com

5.  Love the whole section on faith and deeds.  What we do is evidence of who we are.

6.  So cool to be known as “God’s friend”.  Jesus was known as a friend of tax collectors (those who betrayed and exploited their own people just to make a buck-basically the scumbags) and sinners.  Christianity is lived in the tension of being both.   I need to do a better job befriending “scumbags” and “sinners”.

7.  Vs. 19.  Everyone has beliefs.  Demons believe in God.  Beliefs don’t amount to much. I mistakenly think if I just “believe” the right things I’m ok.  Not according to James.

8.  I wonder how many people live with dead faith and don’t know it.

9.  Everyone always wants to pit FAITH vs. DEEDS.  James seems just to be re-stating what his brother (Jesus) said in John 15:1-8.

10.   We always want to control the work of God in people’s lives.  Rahab was a hooker who trusted in God through faith and then did God’s work by hiding some spies.  Had that been today, she would’ve needed to clean up her life and image first. Then she would’ve been finger printed and background checked.  She certainly would not have been allowed a ministry of housing young men who were under duress.  None of those things are bad and there’s wisdom there in many of them.  I just wonder sometimes if we do the things we do because the work of God in people’s lives is messy and makes us uncomfortable.

That’s all I got…have an amazing day!  Dream and pursue God-sized dreams today…