Impartial Living

Introduction

Mercy triumphs over judgment. When a Jewish man was robbed while on the road to Damascus, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road, a priest walked by; having important things to do, the priest continued on his way without batting an eye. Not long after this a Levite, a man who helped care for the temple grounds, passed by; he looked at the beaten and dying man and thought better of stopping, he had important things to do and he carried on, leaving the robbed man in suffering.

Finally, when all hope seemed to be lost, a Samaritan (a man hated by the Jews and whose people hated the Jews in return) was walking by and saw the man in need. He immediately stopped, cared for his wounds, and went to an inn to find further care. He paid for the man’s entire stay and care, saying, “if he needs anything further don’t hesitate to give him what he needs and I will pay it when I return from my journey.” Mercy triumphs over judgment.

It is not loving to prefer one type of person over another, showing one person kindness and another our backs. Nor is this the way of Jesus. Showing favoritism presents a major issue in our character and in the impact on our community and on others.

James makes a huge contrast in James 2:1. Our faith (belief that leads to trust which results in obedience) in Jesus will either be glorious as He is glorious or it will be tainted by personal favoritism. James sets these two things in stark contrast to each other: Jesus, the Lord of Glory, and favoritism, sin.

That seems a little harsh, right? Why is James making this such a serious point? When we live out our faith in Jesus our character and conduct will either be glorious, as He is glorious, or it will be tainted by sin. Sometimes we need an attitude adjustment.

I. The Attitude of Favoritism (v. 2-7)

A. Why is James picking on the rich? It is easier for the rich to trust in their own possessions and comforts

1. The gospel appeals easier to the poor, for they learned humility through their circumstances and recognize that they need help

a. Thus, they find it easier to trust in Jesus for their salvation and daily provisions

b. So, we aren’t just talking about a huge bank account, we are talking about people who are rich in the world:

1. People who live for their own happiness and comforts, people who condone evil and seek to get ahead by any means, people who reject Jesus and choose self

2. People who are rich in the world only trust in themselves and in their money.

2. You Christians, who are facing humble circumstances, don’t fall to the temptation of seeking the favor of the rich, they can’t help you eternally, only monetarily

a. Jesus sought the poor because “how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” It’s not impossible for the rich to come to Christ (Zaccheus), it is more difficult to surrender power, prestige, control, and safety nets for the sake of Christ

b. But humility is possible for all and it is mandatory if we are to live and thrive in Christ (Matthew 5:3).

3. Notice the ways of God and how they differ from the ways of man (v. 5)

a. “God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom”

b. God shows His power to save and His power to transform by lifting up people whom the world has rejected (1 Corinthians 1:25-29)

c. Mercy triumphs over judgment

B. We often take our identity and approach to life from how we view ourselves

1. The devil wants us to struggle with our identity and he tries to corrupt us

a. So, he throws our mistakes in our faces and constantly reminds us of every harsh word people spoke to us until we believe the lie. We start believing the lie “I’m a loser”, “No one really loves me”, “I’m not smart enough”, “I can’t and I’ll never be able to”, etc. That approach negatively impacts our lives.

b. Our culture tells us to celebrate our identity

1. If anyone tells you that you are wrong then they are a hater and intolerant

2. One of the major issues with that philosophy is that the identities our culture pushes derive from sin: “I’m gay”, “I’m transgender”, “I’m an alcoholic”, etc.

3. Focusing on our past actions and taking our identity from our mistakes takes us spiraling downward into moral ambiguity and it lets evil abound. You can see how the culture’s approach has changed our society, our schools, and even our churches

4. We the people have started to believe the lies of the devil.

2. No, we don’t take our identity from our sin and past failures, instead, we identify with Jesus: “I’m a Christian, my attitude, perspective, character, and actions are from Christ.”

a. You wanna see the perfect example of love? Look at Jesus. He ate with tax collectors and sinners; the rejects, the failures

b. Why? Matthew 9:12–13 “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”” He wanted to heal and forgive sins: he touched the lepers, He gave sight to the blind, He cast out demons, He forgave prostitutes, and even called a tax collector to be one of His disciples (Matthew).

3. Jesus did not discriminate between people. He loved on people and changed their lives for the better

a. So also, we must love on people who are different than us: the drug addict, the homosexual, the thief, the liar, the rich, everyone

b. Our standard for love and living does not come from the success of people. The rich understand how to get ahead in this life while Jesus knows eternal life. So, we treat people the way He did, with love and respect.

1. We follow the golden rule, “treat others the way you want to be treated.” We get to know people for who they are and love them so that they will come to Christ, “having seen our good deeds they will glorify our Father in heaven.”

2. We don’t love the sin, we love the sinner by bringing them to Christ and help them overcome their sin. It starts with treating everyone with love and respect because Mercy triumphs over judgment.

4. Who are we trying to please? Jesus? Or the rich in the world who blaspheme the fair, honorable, beautiful, and powerful name of Jesus. By choosing one type of person over another we disgrace the name of Jesus and are seeking to be like the rich in the world

a. God’s church is not meant to be a popularity contest: only being nice to the people who are like you and ignoring those you know have troubled pasts

b. The church is a hospital for the spiritually sick, we are the nurses who love on and care for them, bringing them to the Great Physician who can heal their affliction, Jesus

II. The Attitude of Christ (v. 8-13)

A. In contrast to the attitude of favoritism, look at the attitude of Christ (v. 8)

1. The royal law or the Law of the King is to love our neighbors as ourselves

a. This is the polar opposite of favoritism. It is about putting others first, their needs, their desires. It’s about serving someone else above your own comforts, it is about giving up your personal preference to do good to someone else

b. When we love people to that degree then we are living and becoming more like our Glorious Lord, Jesus

1. Something as simple as taking a moment in the grocery store to help that old lady whose struggling, or buying a meal for someone who is homeless on the street corner, or stopping on the side of the road to help that young lady whose tire went flat, or taking time to listen to someone who is hurting; these things are simple and put into practice the highest law of Christ, loving our neighbor as ourselves

2. Mercy triumphs over judgment

2. James doesn’t pull any punches. He calls the sin of favoritism equal in severity with adultery and murder (v. 9-11)

a. Not because the consequences are the same but because one sin causes you to be a lawbreaker. The guilt and judgment for breaking the Eternal God’s perfect standard is eternity in hell. So, all sin should be taken seriously

b. Sin is horrible and destructive. A sin is sinful because it is opposed to the character and Person of God

1. God created the world to be in line with Himself “it is very good”. Sin is the opposite and is even an attack on Him. We were created to worship and serve the God who made us but sin is about serving ourselves as god instead

2. It doesn’t matter whether the sin is favoritism, adultery, murder, or eating the fruit in the Garden of Eden. All sin is against God and pins us against Him. We are guilty of being lawbreakers (going against God Himself)

c. On the other hand, loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment because it fulfills (completes) all of God’s will/guidelines that have to do with us interacting with other people

1. If we love people properly then we do well and are like God

2. Mercy triumphs over judgment

B. Where do we begin to show love as Christ did? (v. 12-13)

1. We live by the law of liberty because we have been set free from sin by God through Christ

a. We follow His ways for we are servants of righteousness in Christ. He is our Master (our Lord), so we do as He says

b. Not out of compulsion but out of love because He loved us enough to die for our sins that we might have life

c. We have been freed to love as He loves and He empowers us to do so

2. Along with freedom comes responsibility: we are judged by our words and our actions:

a. Matthew 12:36–37 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””

b. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

c. We have a responsibility to speak and act in a way that is pleasing to God

d. Are we speaking and doing like Christ? Or, are we choosing to speak and act like the rich of the world

3. Show mercy as Christ shows mercy to you

a. If you forgive then the Lord continues to forgive you, if not, then the same measure of judgment will be used on you as you use it against others

b. Rather show the mercy of Christ. “God’s mercy in you overflows from you.” (David Platt, Exalting Jesus in James (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 35.)

c. Mercy triumphs over judgment

Conclusion

-

Mercy triumphs over judgment