James 2:1-13

Illustration

Who’s the most famous person you know?

Ashli Bellinger

Markus Howard

V 1-7

James here speaks to the idea of favoritism

Congregations and leaders would and do still tend to show special attention and praise to those who were of great status

Yet in the same way they’d show special attention to them, they’d neglect and push away those who did not have anything to give

The poor and outcasts who would walk in with disheveled clothing would be cast away from the congregation

“James is pointing out something that hasn’t changed in the centuries since he authored this letter: There will always be two groups of people in our lives—those that have the power to serve us (the rich) and those we have the power to serve (the poor).” - Jordan Raynor

Our temptation is to associate ourselves with high priority and high status

Why? Because it endorses our own status. We have greater standing by associating with them

Our status is elevated. We have a higher position of power and authority because of who we are associated with

Matthew 5:2-11

Jesus gives us the beatitudes in the sermon on the mount

He takes everything that we hold dear and what we value most in this life, and flips it upside down

Poor in spirit, Those who mourn, The Gentle, Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Merciful, pure in heart, peace makers, the persecuted, and those who rebuke or persecute you

I don’t know about you, but that’s not who I’ve been taught to be

Those in these positions are not often who we would personally deem as most valuable. But that is often because they cannot give us anything

When Jesus flips the crowds perspective on its head like this, he is taking everything that the world has valued and tossing it out the window

When we look at people to invest in or befriend, what is our motivation? Are we a people who are only interested in self exhalation? Or are we looking out for the least of these

V 8-13

To show partiality and favoritism is not only less than ideal, it is in fact sinful

For we are unable to fulfill the greatest commandment of loving others as ourself if we only care for those who are able to offer us something .

Additionally, James here makes an important distinction

All violation of the law separates us from God. Whether you lie, cheat, steal, murder, or commit adultery you are all violating the law

James is encouraging his audience to not be prideful in thinking that they’re only “minorly” violating the law. For any violation of the sort is one that violates the law. There is no discretion

*Clarification* not all sin is equal, but all violates the law

Ex: Criminal charged with burglary or someone convicted of murder both are criminals, but to different levels and experience different punishments

I.e. Cain and Abel/Sodom and Gomorrah

Application: W