James in 2:1-13 explains practically how we can see “mature faith” demonstrated in the life of the believer. This is the mature faith that he explained in the first chapter that came about by three things in the life of the follower of Jesus; the first two, happen to the believer and the last is something that we positively engage in:
1. Enduring through trials
2. Escaping through temptations
3. Educating through teaching
What we immediately learn is that the “believer’s maturity” is NOT visible apart from personal transformation. It cannot be seen in a persons stated views doctrinally, neither is it detectable upon faithful attendance or busy religious activity. Instead, it is to be noticed in simple everyday practice some of which is negative (what we no longer do) and some of which is positive (things that we now do) but all of which is contrary to what we and the world apart from Jesus currently practices. The first place that James says that “mature faith” is visible is in how different maturity will be seen in how we treat those in the seats next to us. Maturity in Christ, “true faith” is absent of favoritism or prejudice!