James 2:1-26

For Reading and Meditation:     Proverbs 4:10-27

We pause today to make clear the difference between diligence and obstinacy. I know people who have experienced spiritual shipwreck because they didn't know the difference between these two things. When asked to clarify the difference between perseverance and obstinacy, a student wrote: "One is a strong will and the...

For Reading and Meditation:     Proverbs 11:16-31

Those who know how to be merciful are men and women to be envied. They get back what they give. Psychologists are always pointing out that our attitudes and emotions are contagious. Scripture puts the same truth in these words: "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly" (

For Reading and Meditation:
     John 13:1-38

What other teacher has taken the Ten Commandments and had the right to add another commandment to them? But this is precisely what Jesus did, as we see from our text today. "A new command I give you," He said. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

The Old Testament and other...

HE raised the poor from the dust, and the beggar from the dunghill; such were we by nature, but through rich grace we shall inherit the throne of glory. He has prepared for us, promised to us, and will bestow upon us a KINGDOM. A kingdom in which His glory will be seen, felt, and enjoyed for ever. In which all His riches of grace, mercy, and glory will be displayed. In which peace, joy, and pleasure will eternally reign. A kingdom which cannot be moved, and will never know a change. But who...

The wrath of God is His fierce anger and retributive punishment directed against unrepentant sinners in time and in eternity. A. W. Pink has pointed out that it is as much a divine perfection as is His faithfulness, power and mercy. We need make no apology for it.

In pondering the wrath of God, there are a few facts we should keep in mind.

There is no conflict between God's love and His wrath. True love punishes sin, rebellion and disobedience.

If men refuse God's love,...

James does not say that the man in today's verse has faith. The man himself says he has faith, but if he really had saving faith, he would have works also. His faith is a matter of words only, and that kind of faith cannot save anyone. Words without works are dead.

Salvation is not by works. Neither is it by faith plus works. Rather it is by the kind of faith that results in good works.

Why then does James say in verse 24 that a man is justified by works? Isn't this a flat...

James 2:14-16

James was a practical man. He wanted a religion of deeds. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" That is, faith without works, faith which is only of the intellect, having no influence on the life. We are saved by faith, because the faith unites us to Christ. There is no...

This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. § Faith working through love. § He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. § We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. § [He] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and...

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. § Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? § Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me. § God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.He who...

We… rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations. § I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. § Believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible.In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. § To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of...