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The General Epistles of Saints James, Peter, John, and Jude, Part 2: James 2.
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)
December 5, 2023

Topics include:
(1) Faith and Works and Salvation: Martin Luther wanted James removed from the Canon because it did not agree with his doctrine of Sola Fide. Faith vs. works is not a dichotomy in James unless one or the other is missing. We are saved by faith through our works. It's both-and, not either-or. Faith is living communion with God, manifested by our works. Faith without works is a delusion. If we think we have faith but hate or ignore our neighbor, our faith is only in our head. Works are the fruit of faith, and we will be judged by our works. Belief and faith are not the same. Faith puts belief into reality by loving one's neighbor. St. John Chrysostom said that if someone believes, but without a right life, his faith will not benefit him for salvation. The task of salvation is to attain to likeness to God. Synergy with God is to love those who are unlovable and suffering, as He does. Abraham's faith was active along with his works and perfected by them. Augustine: Paul said that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law, but not without those works of which James speaks. There is a sort of self-justifying legalism which has no true faith. Righteousness = obedience to God = synergy with the will of God. Faith = synergy/cooperation with God, a state of communion with God. Cognitive faith needs to become faith of the heart and noetic awareness. This is as needful for the Orthodox as anyone else. 
(2) Partiality: We are all brothers and sisters. Distinctions of wealth and power mean nothing, but do involve different levels of responsibility. For example, rulers have great responsibilities and have frequent need of access to spiritual advice. The outward appearance is not what's important, but the inner faith. A rich man is not a better man. Despise no one. Applications: Our attitudes to illegal immigrants ... they are not lesser beings. Similarly, Israel's attitude to Palestinians is unacceptable. 
(3) We are called to an active life of charity. True love of neighbor as self ... that is the true asceticism. Loving people we may not like or wouldn't normally associate with. We must take personal opportunities to give. Let's be watchful of our attitude towards those in need: financially, emotionally, or abuse. 
(4) Discussion of charitable organizations such as Salvation Army, Orthodox Africa, International Orthodox Christian Charities. It's always good to do research on an organization to make sure it's not a scam and to find out what percentage of giving goes to the needy. Orthodox Africa is very good. For example, an Orthodox brother in Uganda often lives in abject poverty. Even a $50/mo sponsorship could make a huge difference. And these poorest people are often the most generous. They would give a fish to you with a good heart. IOCC often gives humanitarian aid and supplies to Orthodox who are not "politically correct" during wartime: In Serbia, Palestinians, those in Donbass.