"Embracing Equality: A Call to Love All People"

James 2:1–9 KJV 1900

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; 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: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 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? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

I. Intro

Chuck Swindoll was speaking at a camp in California. A gentleman came to him and said, “Oh, Mr. Swindoll, I have waited for so long for this week, I am going to eat up everything you have to say.” Swindoll thanked him. Sunday night, the man was sitting on the front row, and the man started nodding off. Swindoll figured that he’d had a long drive and was probably tired. Tuesday night, the man started nodding off again. Wednesday, the man was nodding off once again. Swindoll was now getting a little upset. Here this man sat on the front row, sleeping away. As a preacher who had prepared well for this ministry opportunity, it didn’t feel good to have someone sleeping on him. He was getting frustrated with this guy. Thursday night, the man nodded and slept again. On Friday morning, the lady who was sitting next to him came to Swindoll and said, “I want to thank you for the ministry this week. Oh, and by the way, I am sorry for my husband sleeping on you. He has two weeks to live. He has terminal cancer and the doctors have just given him a couple of weeks to live. When we talked about what he wanted to do before he died, he said, ‘I want to go hear Chuck Swindoll.’ But you see, Dr. Swindoll, the doctors gave him medication to keep the pain away, and the medicine makes him sleep. I wanted to apologize to you that he has been sleeping, but I wanted you to know you made this the best week of the last part of his life.” Swindoll later said he could have crawled under a rock, because he had made a judgment and without any investigation he reacted.

There is an old saying, “Always be kind to everyone, because you never know what someone is going through.” If you remember last week, we talked about practicing the Word, and not just hearing the Word. James wanted to help us practice God’s Word, so he gave us a simple test. He sent two visitors to a church service, a rich man and a poor man, and he watched to see how they were treated. 1 John 4:20 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Jewish people in that day coveted recognition and honor, and fought with one another for praise. We still have this problem today. Almost every church has its cliques, and often, new Christians find it difficult to fit in. Some church members use their offices to enhance their own images of importance. Many of the believers James was writing to were trying to seize spiritual offices, and James had to warn them

II. God’s View of People

God’s perspective on human worth and value

God's view of human worth and value is profound and transformative. From the very beginning of creation, God established the intrinsic worth of every human being. In the book of Genesis, we read that God created humanity in His own image and likeness. Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” This divine imprint signifies that every person, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or social status, carries inherent worth and dignity. In Christ, we find equal standing before God. Galatians 3:28 declares that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. This verse emphasizes the equality and unity of believers, eradicating divisions based on worldly distinctions. In God's eyes, all individuals hold equal worth and value. Understanding God's perspective on human worth and value should profoundly impact our lives. It compels us to view ourselves and others through the lens of divine love and acceptance. It calls us to treat every person with respect, kindness, and compassion, recognizing their immeasurable value as fellow bearers of the divine image.

God shows no favoritism.

God does not show partiality. He is a fair and just God who treats all individuals with equal regard. In His eyes, there are no favorites or privileged ones based on external factors. Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” God's impartiality underscores His character of righteousness and love. He extends His grace, mercy, and salvation to all who seek Him, regardless of their background or status. In a world marked by divisions and biases, we find solace and hope in the impartiality of our God.

Align our view of others with God’s view of others.

Aligning our views of others with God's perspective is essential for living out our faith authentically and fostering healthy relationships. Here are some reasons why we should strive to align our views with God's view of people:

Firstly, recognizing the inherent worth and value of every individual is crucial. When we align our views with God's, we acknowledge that every person is made in His image, deserving of respect, love, and dignity. This perspective enables us to see beyond external appearances, social status, or cultural differences and embrace the beauty and uniqueness of each person.

Secondly, aligning our views with God's helps us combat prejudice, discrimination, and favoritism. When we embrace God's perspective, we reject biases and treat all people with fairness and justice.

Thirdly, aligning our views with God's fosters unity and reconciliation. In Christ, there is no division. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Finally, aligning our views with God's allows us to participate in His redemptive work. God's love extends to all, and by seeing people as He sees them, we can extend that love to others. We become agents of reconciliation, compassion, and transformation in a world longing for healing.

III. Overcoming Favoritism

Encouraging practical acts of love and kindness towards all

Promote empathy: Encourage people to put themselves in others' shoes, seeking to understand their experiences, struggles, and joys.

Practice active listening: Pay attention to others' needs and concerns, offering support and assistance where possible.

Encourage self-reflection: Prompt individuals to reflect on their actions and the impact they have on others, encouraging a continuous commitment to kindness and empathy.

By fostering a culture of kindness and providing avenues for practical acts of compassion, we can inspire individuals to extend love and kindness towards everyone they encounter, fostering a more harmonious and caring society.

IV. Conclusion

God's view of people is one of equality, value, and unconditional love. As followers of Christ, we are called to align our views of others with God's perspective. By embracing God's view of human worth and value, we reject prejudices, discrimination, and favoritism based on external factors. We recognize that every individual, regardless of their background, appearance, or social standing, is deserving of respect, love, and dignity. We understand that true faith is not demonstrated through empty words or superficial appearances but through actions rooted in love and kindness towards all. The consequences of favoritism are far-reaching—it divides, hinders spiritual growth, and distorts the message of the Gospel. However, when we actively seek to overcome favoritism and live out the royal law of love, we become agents of transformation in our communities and churches. It is our responsibility to examine our hearts, repent of any biases or prejudices we may harbor, and extend grace and compassion to all people. By doing so, we create an environment where unity, inclusivity, and the inherent worth of every individual are celebrated. Let us commit ourselves to practical acts of kindness, treating all people with fairness and justice. May our words and actions reflect the love of Christ and the value He places on each person. As we embrace God's perspective on human worth, we become beacons of light in a world longing for acceptance and understanding. May the words of James inspire us to examine our hearts, challenge our biases, and actively live out the Gospel by loving our neighbors as ourselves. Let us be a community that embodies the love of Christ and extends His grace to all, breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where all people are embraced and valued.