James 2:1-13
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1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James uses the terms favoritism and discrimination in this passage. How are they the same and different?
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
What is the common denominator in these responses to others?
16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.
What was it that drew the attention of people to Jesus?
24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
What are some correct ways to judge in our relationships?
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
Why was this an important lesson for Peter to learn?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Who is the kingdom promised to?
Why might the poor be more inclined to be “rich in faith”?
6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Why is it more likely that the rich would exploit or blaspheme God?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
How does this “royal law” address all situations?
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
How does this “Golden Rule” change our response to others?
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Why is it hypocritical to point out laws we haven’t broken?
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
How are these actions liberating?
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
What final motivation does James offer for not discriminating?
