James 2:3-6

“3.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,”
4.have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5.Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6.But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?”

In James 2:26, it states, "Faith without deeds is dead." This means that faith must be demonstrated through actions. We are not saved by our works, but the salvation we receive through faith should be evident in our actions. Without this teaching, our faith could remain merely as a thought or intellectual acknowledgment. However, faith must be a holistic confession and state of being.

Accepting Jesus involves confessing that we are sinners, believing that Jesus died for us, and inviting Him to be the Lord of our lives, asking Him to rule over us. This confession is crucial, but salvation is not complete with just the confession. Our faith must be evident in our lives after the confession.

How we serve in the church, manage our finances, and speak to others are areas where our faith is manifested. These actions do not grant us salvation on their own but serve as evidence of the sincerity of our faith.

Today, James specifically warns against discrimination, particularly against the poor. The "you who are poor" in the Sermon on the Mount refers to those who need God's grace and the Kingdom of God. This represents the fundamental nature of all humans before God. The fact that God has saved these individuals is what the Good News is all about. Therefore, boasting about our greatness before God is ridiculous and hinders us from receiving His grace.

Let us acknowledge our weaknesses anew before Jesus, who came for sinners and died for us because we are sinners. May the saving grace of Jesus Christ renew our inner selves, guiding our hearts to be filled with abundant love towards humanity. Let this morning be a time of new dedication in your lives, praying for the transformation of your hearts through His grace.

(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)

Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.