James the Just part 8
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Respect of Persons...
Respect of Persons...
Last week correction:
Last week i used the wrong word in the greek for religion in James 1:26.
Here is the correct word.
2580 θρησκός (thrēskos), όν (on) or θρῆσκος (thrēskos), ον (on): adj.; ≡ Str 2357; TDNT 3.155—LN 53.6 religious, pious (Jas 1:26+)
Today we will be looking at James chapter 2.
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 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?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
*Open prayer*
James begins this chapter speaking of partiality among the brethren.
James II. All Works in Light of Judgement (2:1–26)
The chapter shows how we should live out our faith in relation to others within the church
We studied in the last chapter what a genuine religion looks like. In this chapter, James begins to show us how that applies to the congregational life.
Look at verse 1 again.
We see an interesting title for Jesus there.
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
“The Lord of glory”
James is considered an early book as far as the new testament goes.
(44 to 48 AD)
It is interesting that even the early church, clearly viewed Jesus as Lord.
Both Jew and Greek.
Something else we see in verse 1.
Respect of persons...
We should note that James wrote in am age that regarded certain groups of peoples in higher regards than today.
It is not new to society to promote these views and categorize people.
In James time people were divided into several classes.
Jew or gentile, rich or poor, Greek or Barbarian, slave or free, etc...
James makes it clear our God does not discriminate against certain social classes.
You are either saved or lost.
It does NOT MATTER
What your title is, your position in community or church leadership, how much money you have, how much money you give away, how old you are, how nice you are, etc...
We are all sinners in desperate need of a savior.
Its interesting, especially in small churches today, how people with wealth, power, or societal influence are often held in high regard....
An example: “We don’t want to make that family mad. Their money pays the pastors salary” or “keeps the electric on”, etc...
James sets this record straight.
That has no business in our faith.
Your level power and influence in matters of the faith does not come from a value set by the world.
James gives us in example starting in verse 2.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
The man with a gold ring is obviously referencing a wealthy individual.
Often in Roman society, the wealthy wore gold rings on their left hand.
There were even places were rings could be rented for special occasions.
Like renting a tux or expensive dress today.
To favor the rich man over the poor man is to entertain evil thoughts.
We should be careful, when we come to church we should desire to wear nice clothes, as it is a sign of respect...
But outward appearance should NEVER be our focus as a church.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
God looks at the heart, and so should we.
You can make the argument that how you carry yourself shows a lot about your character as a person, and I agree, it does.
But this is a deeper concept than just vain appearances.
To show discrimination in this regard is to show our misunderstanding of the God we serve.
He is no respecter of persons....
5 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?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
It is easy for man to be partial to the wealthy, but God tells us in His Word that worldly riches are an obstacle for man.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
James tells us this because of the fact that poor people of more opportunities to trust God that the wealthy.
I am sure that Brother Jerry Meyers will share some examples of that this Sunday.
How people of poorer nations respond to the Gospel tends to be wildly different than how Americans do.
Its probably the reason our country is in the bad shape its in because we got it too good here.
It is easier to look up when your in the valley than it is when your on the mountain top.
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
No you cannot get away with promoting rich people by saying “I am just loving my neighbor”.
James calls out what you really mean.
“I am just loving my RICH neighbor”....
James is reminding us, the poor man is just as much our neighbor as the rich man.
*if time, reference “the sheep and goats.”
Matthew 25:31-46.
We need to be careful how we view and treat others around us....