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works were unacceptable to God. James told them
that their works were dead.
The background of the second chapter of St. James
reveals that the Jerusalem Church had a misguided
understanding of how to treat members inside and
outside of the Church who were poor. The rich and
the affluent members were given greater respect and
were shown more love than the poor and destitute.
The Apostle James declared in verse six, “But ye
have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress
you, and draw you before the judgement… But, if
ye have respect, ye commit sin and are convinced of
the law as transgressors.”
Their worship and ministerial outreach to teach
and preach Christ was polluted by satanic spirits.
The Apostle was angered by their lack of compass-
sion for all people regardless of societal or financial
rank. Because their faith was corrupted by their
materialistic obsession, their works were not the
right works. God was not pleased with the deeds
that they were rendering in the name of Jesus.