A Faith for All
Notes
Transcript
If we were to take this poll today, what would be the results?
In 2008, there was a man that made himself at home near the doorway of a church on Sunday morning.
Imagine the looks, sneers, and mumbling from parishioners as they saw a bum, with beer cans and syringes strewn around him, as he sat near the sanctuary doors. It was an interesting reception, considering…this was their pastor.
The minister said he did not shave for three days and drew on tattoos to make his appearance more convincing.
He said: "I couldn't take the car in case anyone spotted it, so I walked from my home to the church. That was interesting, because my neighbours avoided me.
"I had bought clothes from a charity shop - which were immaculate - so I had to dirty them up a bit and I poured a bit of lager on them.
"When I got to the church I arranged a couple of cans and some plastic syringes, without needles, which I have at home for the dog. It gave the impression of a real down and out."
He added: "None of them spoke to me, apart from a few who told me off and told me to get away from their cars, which they kept checking.
"They all ignored me."
He waited until the children had left the church to join their Sunday School before walking to the front of the building and revealing his identity to the congregation.
He said: "Some were very embarrassed. Nobody was angry with me but they were shocked they had ignored me in the way they had.
"They could have given me a cup of coffee.”
Now, while many/most of us would say “We would never do that”… would we not? If there were someone homeless seeking shelter, what would our first reaction be? What if someone camped out on the front porch? Would our first reaction be to meet their needs, or call the sheriff’s office?
In reality, I know this church has a heart for the community and for helping those in need. But how often do we have an opportunity to help someone that we don’t…maybe because of how they look, how they act, or what their reputation is. More importantly, what would be our reaction if someone well known to be “not like us” walked in, sat among us, and came forward one morning. What would our reception be? How would we receive them?
You see, it is easy when it’s not a reality. But, it becomes harder when faced with it. This is where we find James, as he addresses believers struggling with impartiality. We all are guilty of making judgments before we truly know the whole story, of saying things without full knowledge, and of treating those who are well to do differently than those who are not well off. It’s human nature to want to associate with people like ourselves or who can be of some advantage to us.
But what does scripture say to us about these types of tendencies?
Sin or Partiality
Sin or Partiality
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
We (Christians, church goers, doers of God’s work, whatever you want to use to describe us) are called to not show partiality. No favoritism, no special attention, no “levels” among people. I guess it would make more sense to look at those Christ ministered to as our example: the tax collectors, the unsaved, those in relationships outside of marriage, the one caught in adultery, the sick, the blind, the deaf, the demon possessed… get the picture?
As a Christian, and I use that in the broad sense of those who follow and mimic Christ - we of all people should be the LAST people on earth to show partiality. Yet, from the public’s eye looking in, would that be what they see?
Let’s change the subject a little now.
James is speaking specifically of partiality shown WITHIN the body of believers, church. I KNOW we take care of those outside our doors, but let me get down to an even more important question. Do we treat those WITHIN the church without partiality? Seeing each person who is in Christ as a true brother or sister standing on equal footing before the Lord?
To be quite honest, I truly believe those who have less within the church GIVE more because they know what it is like to not have. But, are they viewed as equals? You see, anyone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior, by faith, IS an heir to the throne and is an EQUAL to each and every one of us. One commentary makes this comment “We all come to Jesus on equal footing; no one is higher or more acceptable than anyone else.” So, when we look at believers, we will see those who have plenty, those who have less, those who don’t have. Those who have model children, those who have lively children, and those who have unruly children. Those who are faithful attenders, those who regularly attend, and those who may have to reintroduce themselves from time to time. Those in suits, those in casual dress, and those coming in all they had. To be honest, we should just be glad everyone is coming together to worship a risen Savior who we get to call our brother. You see, we cannot distinguish among one another because we are all standing equally with Christ.
No Distinctions
No Distinctions
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
By separating ourselves from “others”, have we not then shown partiality? And, if we show partiality, are we not then judging them unfairly?
You see, instead of judging them, maybe we should look at what we are called to do.
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
Oh my, we are to teach the younger generation how they SHOULD act. We shouldn’t fall into the habit of looking down, giving side glances, shaking our head, talking down about the younger generation. Plainly put, if the younger generation isn’t doing what we think should be done, it’s because we have failed them. In reality, have we (as Christians) systematically looked at the reasons why our younger generations are no longer active in church? A 2018 article stated “Recent research has shown that young Christians are less likely after high school to attend church, however, they are still present. The main reason for this lack of involvement is that youth are not interested in the church.” Parents, grandparents, teachers, congregation, have we given them a reason to be interested in church? Or have they seen the hypocrisy from within and don’t want to be a part of it? Notice what the last part of verse 6 and 7 says - “is it not the rich ones who oppress you, drag you into the court, and blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”
Under whose name are we called? Jesus. And we are told in Ephesians 5:21 to:
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are to submit to one another, teach and train those younger, bring about a change in the attitude of church attendance, support one another, lift each other up, be happy when we see success, and be a source of encouragement during failure. But also notice, scripture does not just address the older Christians, it addresses the younger also.
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Young men and women, you are to look up to the older church members and learn from them.
I will ask this question, and it is something I have asked myself and have been trying to change. Men, women, WHO have you mentored? Another question, who ARE you mentoring? Now, biggest question of the morning, if you are not actively mentoring, or just come out of mentoring someone, who are you SEEKING to mentor?
Young men and women, are you being mentored? If not, who would you LIKE to be your mentor? Seek them out, ask them to mentor you, then set aside time to do so. By being a mentor, and being mentored, you are helping fulfill the most important commandment.
Love One Another
Love One Another
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
What is the first word of verse 8? IF. If is a conditional clause indicating “in the event that”. It is used to say that a particular thing can or will happen only after something else happens or becomes true. So, what action are we called to do? You shall love your neighbor as yourself. What happens in the event that takes place? You are doing well.
By showing partiality, are we loving our neighbor as ourselves? No, instead it shows the evil intent of our heart, how judgmental we can be, how easily we can discriminate against others who are loved by God, it gives an indication of the disgraceful attitude of our heart, and the foolishness in our thinking. To be honest, I think at times WE can get to a place where we feel self-sufficient - just like the Pharisees. Look at ME, how can anyone else ever compare to my holiness?
Simply put, showing partiality is a sin that violates the royal law of love. Jesus was asked by a Pharisee, what the greatest commandment given was. What was His response?
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
So, we see God reinforcing the equal footing of each and every believer and the command to love one another in the same way He loves us. By loving our neighbor as ourselves, then we will not be apt to show favoritism or partiality. By doing so, we are sinning against God. Notice the severity of this sin in verse 10 - whoever even fails ONE point of the law is guilty of them all. We MUST be seeking to live a life that shows honor and glory to ALL the commands God has given to us - even loving those who seem unlovable. I love the closing words of verse 13 - Mercy triumphs over judgment. Sometimes we have to swallow pride… and extend mercy.
Closing
Closing
As believers, we should act and speak like someone who emulates our Savior and will one day stand before God and give an account for what we have done. Do we want to be known for speaking love and kindness, or malice and rudeness? Do we want to be accepting and open, or would we rather remain a social club? We shall receive a reciprocal reward for our behavior. God is going to treat us exactly as we have treated others. If we have shown mercy, then He will show mercy to us; if we have not shown mercy, then He will not show mercy to us. This stresses the seriousness of showing partiality. Scripture is clear in its warning: the church and believers are not to show partiality or favoritism to anyone. We are to love all people no matter their social standing or wealth.
So, where do we stand? Individually, and as a body of believers? If Christ were to come today, and we were to have to stand in front of God and give account of our actions and words what would we receive? Condemnation, or congratulations? Let’s take a moment to reflect, and see where we stand in the eyes of God. Then, let us make the changes needed to align ourselves with where God wants us to be.