The Sin of Prejudice

Five points on favoritism.

The Principle: God is Impartial – Verse 1.

a. James presents the principle as the test of genuine faith.

b. God is an impartial judge and told the Israelites that they were to be also.

i. Leviticus 19:15 - You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly

ii. They were not to allow a person’s social or economic status influence justice.

c. God freely offers salvation to all.

i. Cornelius and his family

1. 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

2. God provided a way for this gentile family to hear the Gospel.

ii. Paul declared that gender, race, and socio-economic status had no bearing in God’s offer of salvation

1. Galatians 3:27-28 – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

2. Colossians 3:9-11 – “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”

d. Paul warned against favoritism in church discipline – 1 Timothy 5:19-21

i. Important to realize that not judging others on appearance does not mean that we stop dealing with sin. (Our world likes to take the Scriptures that deal with not judging per external and apply it to sin)

ii. “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others, also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord, Jesus, Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing, by partiality.”

e. The word means to exalt someone based on appearance.

The Example: Favoritism in the Assembly – Verses 2-4.

a. The issue is not with the rich guest or the poor guest, but with the attitudes and actions of the believers.

i. Both guests are allowed in and not told to change.

ii. Nothing wrong with giving a nice seat to someone.

iii. The problem was the disregard for the poor man, stand or sit on the floor.

b. The Jewish Synagogues had seats along the walls that the Pharisees had come to covet as the places of honor.

c. These believers were guilty of judging solely based on economic status or external appearances.

i. Selfish motives?

ii. We tend to associate with those most like us.

d. The poor were being placed in dishonorable positions (sit on the floor or stand)

e. They were guilty of acting like a judge who rules based on appearance.

The Inconsistency: Practicing Prejudice in the name of Christ – verses 5-7.

a. It disregards the character of Christ

i. He has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom…

ii. Jesus’ enemies recognized him as a teacher from God because of how he treated all people with impartiality.

1. “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for you do not regard the person of men.” Matthew 22:16

b. It ignores the cause of conflict in the church.

i. The rich were taking them to court for trials.

c. It violates the command of Christ

i. The royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

ii. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate this law.

iii. John 15:12 – “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love …”

The Transgression: One sin makes you guilty of all – verses 9-11.

a. James says it plainly – “If you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

b. Just one sin makes you guilty of breaking the whole law.

c. James lumps it with murder and adultery.

The Appeal: Act like those who have received God’s Mercy– verses 9-11.

a. You had better act like one who is guilty before the law, but has graciously received mercy.

b. The law of liberty teaches us to walk free from sin

c. Those who do not display mercy show that they have never received the mercy of God.

i. Mercy triumphs (rejoices) over judgment.

Application:

            Associate with all believer and witness to all unbelievers without regard to status.

            Give to him that asketh.