James 2:1-7
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Introduction
Introduction
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Chapter 1 focused on what a believer must have
Chapter 2 focuses on what a believer does
What we do should be based off what we have.
Faith should not be displayed with respect of persons
Partiality - greek word - receiving the face = to make judgments and distinctions based on external conditions like physical appearance, social status or race
God is not a respecter of persons
For there is no respect of persons with God.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
In the Old Testament Moses shared God’s position as it relates to partiality
For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
For this to be addressed shows that the church had already put this into practice.
QUESTIONS
Example of this
Example of this
For 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:
Assembly = synagogue = church
a place of worship where the general public is welcome
Only the upper class wore gold rings and fine clothes
Not knowing who the man is. In the early church, it was the deacons who ushered
Notice how James uses here and there. here means near; there means far away
sit under my footstool is like if you have to seat down, sit here
How it shows who we are
How it shows who we are
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
The partiality is within - in your minds - your thoughts
What we do is a reflection of what’s in our heart and mind
MEDIA - UNTRUTH - conformity of this world
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.
Judges of evil thoughts
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
A lot of weight is on a judge but then to base your decisions off of ungodly standards
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Poor in respect to the world but they were rich in faith
faith comes by hearing - hearing by the word of God -
also heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love Him
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Riches of any type should never be a stumbling block.
In other word, God doesn’t want us to not have riches, He doesn’t want the riches to have us
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
When we serve with favoritism or partiality we dishonoured the poor
It’s like a charity organization that ignores the needy to give to those who have