Whose Favor Your or God’s?
Whose Favor Your or God’s?
Wednesday night Devotion
Bethany Baptist Church
Bonifay Florida
1-29-2003
13th lesson in a series
James 2:1
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
James 1:19-27 Told us how to put our beliefs into practice
James 2:1-13 will give practical lessons on not showing favoritism.
Favoritism such as discrimination violates God’s truth.
James will tell us to welcome as a matter of fact. Strangers need to know the good news we know as well.
Verse 1
1. My Brethren: or Brothers and sisters in Christ.
When we are brothers and sisters in Christ there will exist a common thread of accountability that is the word of God.
By James saying here “MY BROTHERS” James is emphasizing togetherness of real obedience to Christ.
What James is going to speak about here is no more of a problem today than it was when James wrote this letter.
That does not mean that this gets us off the hook.
It is saying that since around 70 a.d. until now we have not gotten any better. On these issues.
2. Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Lord of Glory
NIV – As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
James is pointing to a single fact here – that is that Jesus Christ is the one who binds all men together.
This statement in fact says that there is nothing that can bind men together like Jesus Christ.
The church when they are on mission for Jesus and not allowing their own thoughts and selfish desires to get in the way they are truly bound by Jesus.
Let things of men get in the way the glue of Jesus begins to dissolve.
Not by Jesus’ desire but satans and man allowing it to happen.
Some examples of the descriptive names of Jesus and how we need to focus on him.
· 1 Corinthians 1:9 His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
· 1 Corinthians 1:24 Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God
· Colossians 1:15 mage of the invisible God
· Titus 2:13 our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
Look some words in this passage:
Our – this gives personal ownership. We say our house
Our family
Our car
Our church – sometimes it is our church and not his church.
He gives us ownership of Him but not ownership of His church.
The Lord of Glory – or Glorious –this is the impression Jesus made on the people. He continues to make this impression on His people.
John made this convincing when he said the word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
We share in the glory by virtue of his grace and mercy.
Lord – the Greek word Kurios for master or owner came to be used frequently to refer to God.
Jesus claimed this title in Matt 7:21, Mark 5:19 Luke 1930-31
In the N.T. the word Lord began to refer to Jesus as Master.
We can go on and on in this one verse to show an oneness that binds Gods people together.
3. Partiality – Favor
James in this entire verse is basically saying how can we be one in Christ if we are showing favoritism.
Another translation Basically says STOP SHOWING FAVORITISM
James was forbidding a practice that was already in practice. And still is today.
The priests wore the finest garments and were untouchable.
Some today feel they are untouchable.
Ephesians 6:9 is the sum up verse for this study.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.