The Follies of Favoritism

Introduction|

Attention:

For just a moment, I want to envision two visitors walking into a church. One drives a shinny BMW while the other drives a beat-up station wagon. One is wearing a freshly cleaned and pressed Armani Suit while the other man is wearing stained and ripped overalls that haven’t been washed in several days. One smells of Creed Spice and Wood while the other reeks of smoke and alcohol. Now let me ask you a couple of questions: 1) which one are you going to talk too; 2) which one do you want in your church; and 3) which one are you going to welcome with open arms and warm hearts?

Need Element:

If we were to take a poll this morning, I have a feeling the vast majority would not choose the poor man with shabby clothes. Due to our human nature, we have prejudices towards others because of social status, economic status, or ethnicity. Because of this fact, we look down on others who come into the church because of our prejudices. In our times together this morning, I want to confront you about the sinfulness within your heart, soul, and mind.

Background:

James expands upon salvation by discussing the proper response to the Word of God and the gospel. Now, he uses obedience to address authentic worship that is both practical and applicable. separation

Textual Idea:

James reminds his readers that God judges the sin of favoritism

Big Idea:

God judges the sin of favoritism

Interrogative:

Why will God judge the sin of favoritism?

Outline|

I. God judges favoritism because it is anti-gospel (vv. 1-7)

Explanation:

First, we notice the prohibition against discrimination and favoritism (vv. 1).

James says: “my brothers and sisters do not hold to the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality” (Greek). The phrase respect of persons carries the idea of showing favoritism/partiality. It suggests receiving someone based upon the appearance of their face. Thus, we make “judgments and distinctions based on external considerations such as physical appearance, social status, and race.” God strictly prohibited this within the Law: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour” (). The idea of have not the faith suggests not holding to faith or walking in the faith. However, it is “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ—the Lord of Glory” (). Faith and favoritism are not compatible within the gospel kingdom.

Secondly, we notice the illustration of discrimination and favoritism (vv. 2-4).

At this point, James offers a hypothetical scenario. You can view this illustration through two lenses: 1) a courtroom or 2) a worship service. If the setting is juridical, it is best to view the rich man as a Christian. However, if the setting is liturgical, it is best to view the rich man as a visitor within the Christian worship gathering. James says: “if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts” (). We notice two different groups of visitors (rich vs. poor) and two different responses (welcoming vs. discriminatory). The wealth man is given the place of honor while the poor man is made to stand in the corner or sit on the floor. The word partial comes from the root word meaning to judge; it means “to judge something or to be better than something.” When this action takes place, God says that two things have taken place: 1) we have made distinctions among ourselves and 2) we have become judges with evil thoughts.

Thirdly, we notice the accusation of discrimination and favoritism (vv. 5-7).

James urges his listeners to listen to him. At this point, He asks a rhetorical question with an obvious answer. James asks: “Did not God choose the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in the realm of faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those loving Him” (Greek). This is not a reference to liberation theology but to God’s desire to redeem and restore the poor in spirit. Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (). The word chosen suggests an overlaying purpose for a particular choice. God has chosen the poor in spirit to be two things: 1) rich in faith; and 2) heirs of the kingdom. The word heirs suggests of a benefactor. The obvious answer is YES! At this point, James makes his accusation—“but, you dishonor the poor” (). says: "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker” (KJV). The act of dishonoring the poor those whom God loves ‘is an insult [against] God.” Once again, James asks them about how the rich treat them and the Holy name. First, the rich were oppressing them. Secondly, they were suing them. Finally, they are blaspheming the good name that had been given to them. The word blaspheme suggesting slandering or defaming someone. The rich were slandering the good name that had been given to them. This name was the name of Jesus. Acts reminds us that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (). From a common-sense standpoint, it is foolish to lift us those who treat you wrongly. Yet, this church was honoring those who mistreated them and defamed the Name of Jesus and dishonoring those whom God loves and chose to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.

Illustration:

Oh, favoritism and discrimination has never happened within a Free Will Baptist Church. I heard a story of a FWB church that wanted to reach out to its community by starting a bus ministry. So, the Church bought a bus and started visiting the local community for their upcoming VBS. So, on the opening night of VBS, the bus driver picked up several kids from all over the town and brought them back to the Church. Everything was great until the Church pulled into the Church. A founding member of the Church was greeting the children at the door as they got off the bus. At this point, a younger girl with dark curly hair and skin stepped off the bus. In a moment, the complication and demeanor of this man changed as his face turned red with anger. Grabbing the child by the arm, he marched her back to the bus and demanded that the bus driver take this child back home because he didn't help purchase a bus to bring people like his to Church. Favoritism, discrimination, and racism are anti-gospel.

Argumentation:

Why are favoritism and discrimination anti-gospel?

Jesus didn't die to save white people, rich people, or clean people. He died to save ALL PEOPLE. Everyone is precious in the eyes of God because they made in His image. Rich and poor, white and black, clean and dirty, nice and mean, good and bad! Jesus came to save sinners. He sent his disciples into the highways and hedges and to the uttermost parts of the globe. God loves ALL men () and wants All men to experience the forgiveness of sins through repentance ()

Application:

Do you treat others better because of their social status, ethnicity, or appearance? This type of attitude is anti-gospel. God does not play favorites! He is no respecter of persons (). He loves all and wants all to know him. Do you only want those who can help the church financially with their wealth? So, you welcome this person with honorable words, deeds, and gifts. However, when the man who smells of sin walks through the doors, you avoid him because he smells of Alchohol, drugs, and BO. You have made a distinction among yourself and become a judge. First, you need to repent of your sin! Next, you need to view people through the lens of scripture--everyone is valued and loved by God. Finally, you need to understand the gospel.

II. God judges favoritism because it is anti-bible (vv. 8-13)

Explanation:

James says: “if you are carrying out the royal law according to the scriptures—“Love your neighbor as yourself”—you are doing well” (vv. 8). James quotes : “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” When you see the royal law, it is best to think of the law as fulfilled and expanded by Christ. Thus, Jesus says: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (). For the sake of argument, let's assume that you are following and practicing God’s Kingdom Law, you are doing well. The phrase do well suggests putting something while being in accord with something. Thus, you are doing and obeying God’s word the right way. However, James contrasts this in the following verse: “but, If you are showing partiality, You are committing sin and are convicted by the law as a transgressor” (vv. 9). James drives home his second point. If you are showing favoritism and partiality, you have sinned against God and a transgressor against the law. The words transgressor and transgressors denote the idea of disobeying or breaking the law. He also provides the reason for transgressing against the Law: "For whosoever keeps the whole law But stumbles in one point of the law has become guilty of it all. For the law says: “Do not commit adultery” And it also says: “do not commit murder.” If you do not commit adultery but commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law.” (). Favoritism is “willful sin.” When we show favoritism, we “fail to treat all neighbors equally in ourselves, and thus we fail to keep God’s law.” At this point, James makes a point of application from this truth: “you must speak and act like those who are to be judged by the Law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to those who do not practice mercy, Mercy triumphs over judgment” (, Greek). The believer must speak (which harkens back to say) and act (which harkens back to making distinctions and judging) as those who will be judged by the law of freedom. Christians must also stand before Christ to be judged. However, for the believer, this judgement takes place before Christ who has “offered us freedom through his grace and mercy.” Because of this fact, believers shouldn’t show favoritism because it makes them a judge. Thus, James says: “judgement is without mercy to those who do not practice mercy, Mercy triumphs over judgment” (, Greek). Thus, he urges his readers to show love and mercy to all instead of just a select few.

Illustration:

Jesus provides an illustration with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Bible says: “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” ().

Argumentation:

Why are favoritism and discrimination anti-bible?

God tells us to love everyone and tells us to love everyone. When we make distinctions and judgments, we sin against God by disobeying His Word.

Application:

As born-again believers, we must live out the Word by loving others. God says that favoritism is disobedience and sin. When discrimination and bias grip our hearts and mind, we must ask God to forgive us and help us live for Him and show Him to others.

Conclusion/Application|

Visualization:

The story of the Good Samaritan provides us with a picture of how we are to treat others in need of salvation. Sadly, we are not the Samaritan but the Levite. We see those in need. But, we turn our heads the other direction and walk on without a second thought.

Action:

God wants us to take two steps this morning. First, he wants us to view others through the gospel (vv. 1-7). God loves and values everyone. Red and yellow, black and white there are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. Second, he wants us to obey and follow His word by loving everyone. There has never has been or will be a person that God doesn’t love. Because of this fact, we ought to remove favoritism and show love and mercy.

Appeal:

I want to invite you to embrace the gospel and the Scripture this morning by removing favoritism for your heart. When this takes place, God will be honored in our attitudes and actions.