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Book of James Bible Study faith and works
Bible Studies

Book of James Bible Study | Faith and Works

September 28, 2021

If you’ve just managed to stumble upon this post then please know I’m so glad you’re here. Studying the Book of James was an “easy” way for me to dive into reading more of the Bible and studying the Word for the first time in my adult life. You know.. in a way where I really try to learn something – and, taking it a step further, applying what I learn to my every day life.

Big task, I know. Luckily, I like a challenge.

I decided on James because:

a) it seemed short enough (in order to make a habit stick it should be simple!), and

b) someone on Instagram was talking about how she enjoyed studying James and hey.. influencers are around to influence us, right? Consider me influenced.

(Side note: I’ve now typed “influence” so many times it no longer looks like a legitimate word).

In James Chapter 1 we learned that there is no avoiding trials and tribulations; we will go through hard times as humans and especially as Christians. But what helps us get through these difficult times is learning to view obstacles as opportunities, and using those opportunities, however tough they may be, to show thanks to God. It’s in that old adage that we can’t have a rainbow without the rain.

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Book of James Bible Study: Favoritism, Faith and Works

Book of James Bible Study : Faith and Works

The Sin of Favoritism

James 2 starts out by saying,

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 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. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

James is warning us not to show favoritism, but if you read through his statement again, you’ll see that he’s really saying not to show discrimination. If we make anyone, regardless of their skin color, social status, education level, cultural background, political affiliation, NSYNC vs. Backstreet Boys super fan – ANYONE less welcome, then we are not showing love to our neighbor.

We are demonstrating the sin of favoritism and the type of prejudice that he is warning us about.

James goes on to remind us, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” – James 2:8-9

Galatians 3:27-29 reminds us “…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” It doesn’t say that we are all one who are men. All who are mothers. All one who are republicans. All one who are rich. But we are ALL ONE. Every single one of us.

This can be a tough topic for a lot of people. And it can be an even harder task to learn, or in some cases, unlearn. Social media doesn’t help. Sorry, not sorry. But platforms have made it easy for keyboard warriors to summon the courage to tell someone else exactly what they think of that person, and/or that person’s beliefs. And suddenly we are living in a world that doesn’t find value in our differences. Instead, we fight over them.

The results has been a Mean Girl mentality where we frequently tell people, “you can’t sit with us.” Because of the very things that James says we shouldn’t be focusing on.

Jesus didn’t sit with only his disciples. He sat with everyone. The rich, the poor. The young, the old. The sinners, and the saints. He wasn’t “too good” for anyone’s table. Except that He really was, but He didn’t walk into a situation with that attitude. He walked into the situation with an open heart and gave everyone a chance.

When we fail to show mercy to other people, and instead we judge them – we are setting ourselves up for God to judge us. To take away the mercy He reserves for us. When we aren’t loving our neighbor, we aren’t putting God’s word into our works. Which leads us to..

Faith and Deeds

So this is the big clincher. Faith without works is dead. Yup. Harsh. Some of us need that reality check, and I will be the first to admit that I do as well.

It takes more than just believing in God. As we are told in verses 18-19: “..Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. GOOD! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”

My 9 year old is on a kick right now (that I’m trying to break) of saying, “No dip, Sherlock!” I can’t help but think that’s what James is telling us right now. “Oh, you believe there is one God? Well no dip, Sherlock! Even the demons know that. But what are you DOING to fulfill God’s purpose through your actions?”

Basically he’s telling us that we need to learn God’s word, and then go do the things we learn. Apply those lessons to our every day lives. Don’t just offer up “prayers and thoughts” (don’t NOT offer them up – definitely do keep offering them), but what else can you do along with those prayers to help someone else?

It’s looking for opportunities to help one another, and in doing so, we are letting God’s love shine through us.

So here’s your challenge for today: what’s one way you can put your faith into works today?

Related Reading:

  • Book of James Bible Study Part 1
  • Book of James Bible Study Part 3
  • Book of James Bible Study Part 4
  • Book of James Bible Study Part 5
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Natasha Funderburk

Natasha Funderburk is a wife, #boymom, NASM-CPT, Nutrition Coach, Behavior Change Specialist, and freelance writer. Her articles have been featured on sites such as Her View From Home, The Huffington Post, and The Today Show Parenting Team. Fueled by Jesus, coffee, and carbs, Natasha spends most of her time watching her son play baseball, writing her feelings, and searching for snacks.

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The Comments

  • Marilyn
    September 29, 2021

    Thanks, this is a nice reality check. I love the thought no dip! Of course I believe, but am I showing and doing deeds to show others?

    Reply
    • Salt & Sparrow
      Marilyn
      October 23, 2021

      I have to stop myself and ask the same question! It can be a tough wake up call -sometimes we think we’re doing good but do our actions say the same thing? So glad you liked this post, Marilyn!

      Reply

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Grab your coffee and stay awhile

Welcome to Salt + Sparrow, a place where we learn about Jesus, the Bible, and find big faith in small things.

Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This verse isn’t promising that bad things won’t happen. It simply reminds us nothing can touch us when we live in Christ Jesus. We might experience loss and hardship, but our ultimate destination is heavenly perfection. 

So today, if you are living consumed with fear, practice surrender.

Take a deep breath and know that no matter what, you are loved and you will be ok.

God is Big Enough to hold our biggest hurts and make them beautiful." 

@mrsheidivegh 

#christianmomma #christians #christianlifestyle #faithblogger #christianmother #faithblog #faithquotes #relationshipwithgod #faithinmotion #prayer #christianliving #christianmoms #momsoffaith #truth #christianity #blessed
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About

Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This verse isn’t promising that bad things won’t happen. It simply reminds us nothing can touch us when we live in Christ Jesus. We might experience loss and hardship, but our ultimate destination is heavenly perfection. 

So today, if you are living consumed with fear, practice surrender.

Take a deep breath and know that no matter what, you are loved and you will be ok.

God is Big Enough to hold our biggest hurts and make them beautiful." 

@mrsheidivegh 

#christianmomma #christians #christianlifestyle #faithblogger #christianmother #faithblog #faithquotes #relationshipwithgod #faithinmotion #prayer #christianliving #christianmoms #momsoffaith #truth #christianity #blessed
God had already been speaking to me for some time God had already been speaking to me for some time about how my desire to control the details and direction of my life was getting in the way of my trust in Him and my submission to Him.

The fear of not being in control had stolen my contentment, joy, and peace. So many opportunities and relationships had been strangled or suffocated due to the struggle for control.

The Lord had been directing me to practice putting my full trust in Him.

While I used to spend much of my energy worrying and controlling, God began teaching me to put all of that effort into trusting Him instead.

Friends, as I look back over my life, I cannot think of one time that I regret surrendering to God and yielding control to Him. Was it difficult and painful? Indeed it was.

Did I take it back untold times, having to surrender again and again? You bet.

But this I’ve discovered: as we lean into our powerlessness and His sovereignty, we experience new levels of freedom and joy.

Once upon a time, I would have thought that losing control was the worst thing that could happen to me. Now I know that releasing it was what I needed most.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to yield this new area of control to you– I surrender myself and all of my brokenness. Guide me and remind me each day to put my full effort into trusting You.

@jamiedesilvia 

Full post on saltsparrow.com

 #pray #faith #prayer #bibleverse #biblestudy #bibleversedaily #faithinmotion #faithblogger #christianmomma #jesusalways #faithblog #faithquotes #christianmoms #christianmother #christianlife #christianlifestyle #momsoffaith #christianliving #relationshipwithgod #christians #faithbased #momswhoreadthebible
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