Rich in the Realm of Faith (Part 1) – James 2:5

Weekly Sermon

James 2:5 reads, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

James 2:5 indicate that those from the poor class in relation to this world who place their trust in Christ as Savior are chosen by God to be rich in relation to His kingdom.  Regardless of their poor status in the realm of this world, they possess an abundantly rich status in the realm of faith.  Indeed, every one of us who are the children of God through faith in Christ are spiritually rich in the realm of faith.  These spiritual riches may be considered from two perspectives.  First, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our eternal salvation.  Second, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our daily walk.  So then, in this first part of the message, let us consider the first of these truths.

Our Spiritual Riches in Relation to Our Eternal Salvation

In the first place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of eternal salvation from our sinfulness and its condemnation.  In Mark 16:15-16 God’s Word states, “And he [the Lord Jesus Christ] said unto them [the disciples], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”  Again in John 3:17-18 God’s Word declares, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  Again in Acts 16:31, concerning the case of the Philippian jailer, God’s Word give the report, “And they [that is – Paul and Silas] said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  Again in Romans 1:16 the apostle Paul proclaimed, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  Finally, in Romans 10:8-13 God’s Word declares, “But what saith it?  The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In the second place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of eternal regeneration as the very children and people of God.  In John 1:12-13 God’s Word declares, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  Again in the opening portion of John 12:36, our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light;” and in verse 46 He added, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”  Again in Acts 26:15-18 the apostle Paul gave report concerning His conversion and commission, saying, “And I said, Who art thou, Lord?  And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”  Again in Galatians 3:26 God’s Word declares, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”  Again in Ephesians 2:1-10 God’s Word declares, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kind-ness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Again in 1 Peter 2:4-10 God’s Word declares, “To whom [that is – to the Lord Jesus Christ] coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  Finally, in 1 John 5:1 God’s Word declares, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

In the third place,  we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of an eternal spiritual life that is created and shall ever be maintained by the power of God.  In John 3:6-8 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  To this He added in verses 15-16, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Again in John 3:36 John the Baptist proclaimed, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  Again in John 5:24 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”    Again in John 6:47 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”  Again in John 20:30-31 God’s Word declares, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”  Finally, in 1 John 5:10-13 God’s Word declares, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

In the fourth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the eternal forgiveness of our sinfulness before God the Father.  In Acts 10:43 God’s Word declares, “To him [that is – to our Lord Jesus Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”  Again in Acts 13:38 the apostle Paul proclaimed, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [that is – through our Lord Jesus Christ] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.”  Again in Acts 26:15-18 the apostle Paul gave report concerning His conversion and commission, saying, “And I said, Who art thou, Lord?  And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

In the fifth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the divine purifying of our hearts.  In Acts 15:7-9 God’s Word gives the report, “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”

In the sixth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the eternal imputation of Christ’s perfect righteousness to our account before God the Father.  In Romans 4:19-22, concerning the man of God Abraham, God’s Word gives the report, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he [the Lord God] had promised, he was able also to perform.  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”  Then to this Romans 4:23-25 adds, “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”  Again, in Philippians 3:8-9 the apostle Paul proclaimed, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

In the seventh place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the divine declaration by God the Father of our eternal justification.  In Acts 13:38-39 the apostle Paul proclaimed, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”  Again in Roman 3:21-28 God’s Word declares, “But now the righteousness of God with-out the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  Where is boasting then? It is excluded.  By what law?  Of works?  Nay: but by the law of faith.  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”  Again in Romans 4:4-5 God’s Word declares, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”  Again in Galatians 2:16 God’s Word declares, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”  Again in Galatians 3:8-11 God’s Word declares, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”  Finally, in Galatians 3:24 God’s Word declares, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” 

In the eighth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of an eternal peace with the Lord our God and heavenly Father.  In Romans 5:1 God’s Word declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the ninth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of direct access unto the Lord our God and heavenly Father through prayer.  In Romans 5:1-2 God’s Word declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

In the tenth place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of eternal security through the promise and power of our Lord and Savior.  In John 6:35-39 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” Again in 1 Peter 1:5 God’s Word declares concerning us believers, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

In the eleventh place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the divine promise of resurrection unto life in glory and of glorification in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In John 6:40 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  Again in Romans 5:2 God’s Word declares, “By whom [that is – by our Lord Jesus Christ] also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Again in 2 Thessalonians 1:10 God’s Word declares concerning the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”

In the twelfth and final place, we believers are enriched through faith in Christ with the rich treasure of the indwelling Holy Spirit as the divine Seal of our eternal salvation, as the divine Earnest of our promised inheritance, and as the divine Guide and Enabler for our daily Christian walk.  In John 7:37-39 God’s Word gives the report, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”  Again in Acts 15:7-8 God’s Word gives the report, “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us.”  Again in Galatians 3:13-14 God’s Word declares, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Finally, in Ephesians 1:13-14 God’s Word declares, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Posted in Weekly Sermon, James, Salvation & Eternal Life, Children of God, Forgiveness of Sin, Eternal Security, 
The Holy Spirit     

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