A Brother or Sister Destitute James 2:15

The people within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were instructed by James to not have “respect of persons”. He told them that God “shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy”, and if they followed his ways, “mercy” would “rejoice against judgment”. James asked them whether saying one has “faith” “can save” “without works”. In chapter two and verse fifteen of his letter, James began to give and example of a “brother or sister” who is “naked, and destitute of food”. We read:

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

The verse begins, “If a brother or sister be naked,...” James began with the word, “If” which means “in case that, provided that, except and though” “a brother” or “a male fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection in Christ” “or sister” which refers to “a female believer who is united to another by the bond of affection in Christ” “be naked” which means “is unclad, without clothing, open and bare”. James drew his readers' attention to people who were believers in Jesus and yet without clothing.

The verse goes on to say, “...and destitute of daily food,” James added, “and destitute” or “left behind, lagging, inferior and wanting” “of daily” which means “that which lasts for a day” “food” or “nourishment, rations and meat”. James added the idea that these “brothers and sisters” were lacking in daily provision of daily substance.

When we consider these words of James, we can use our imaginations to think about those who are “destitute” of daily provisions. James draws our attention to this example to demonstrate how “faith” alone does not help them. Jesus desires for us not only to be “nourished” and “clothed” upon, but also to have “faith” that “works”. As James continued to instruct his readers, we shall see how Jesus desires for us to be His practical examples in this world, and may He guide us to live in this manner.

Next time James finishes his thought concerning the “naked and destitute” “brother or sister”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.