"Playing Favorites" Part 1 (James 2:1-7)

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-7

Introduction: Why do we treat people differently?

What do we treat some people better than others? What makes the difference?

James wants his readers to see that their varied treatment of people is often wrong.

Transition: Favoritism

Part 1: Partiality/Favoritism is Contrary to the Faith (vv. 1-7)

Part 2: Partiality/Favoritism is Contrary to the Scripture (vv. 8-13)

Part 1: Partiality/Favoritism is Contrary to the Faith (vv. 1-7)

What are you doing? (vv. 1-4)

What are you thinking? (vv. 5-7)

I. What are you doing? (vv. 1-4)

...In this area of favoritism?

James gives them a...

Guiding Principle (v. 1)

Common Example (vv. 2-3)

Reasonable Conclusion (v. 4)

I. A. Guiding Principle (v. 1)

The primary verb here is “hold” (have).

“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” (James 2:1, NASB95)

Your faith should guide you to not show partiality/favoritism.

What is partiality/favoritism? Preferential treatment

Some preferential/special treatment is right/appropriate (i.e. spouse, children, etc.).

Often preferential treatment is wrong, referred to here. Wrong for 2 reasons:

It is based on appearance. Christians should know you can’t judge a book by its cover.

It leads to mistreatment of some. The special treatment is not the problem, the contrast is.

The guiding factor should be faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This again is the reason for all of the commands that James gives.

“Glory” - who He is, what He deserves, our goal.

The partiality/favoritism James is condemning here is the mistreatment of others because of appearance.

I. B. Common Example (vv. 2-3)

Notice...

Two Different People (v. 2)

Two Different Responses (v. 3)

I. B. 1. Two Different People (v. 2)

Obviously different in their appearance.

What is not obvious is the reason for the difference.

Assembly - public gathering for worship.

Probably visitors, thus the need for seating directions (v. 3).

Why they are the way they are is probably unknown.

I. B. 2. Two Different Responses (v. 3)

“If” (v. 2 only) - potential, probably has occured

Comfortable seating for the higher class, uncomfortable seating for the lower class.

Wealth equals importance in this world.

Note the preferential treatment and therefore the mistreatment.

What is this treatment or mistreatment based upon?

The only obvious difference at this point is their appearance.

There seems to be a valuing of people here based upon what people tend to value (1:9-11).

People like what they like, even in other people.

The problem is the mistreatment of others that flows from this.

Remember, this is an example.

This is one of any number of reasons why people mistreat others.

The reason that you mistreat others may be different, but it is certainly not better.

The ultimate reason for mistreatment of others is the sin nature - individual heart issue (4:1).

I. C. Reasonable Conclusion (v. 4)

He says you’ve made 2 mistakes, but they are really one in the same.

Made distinctions among yourselves

To separate thoroughly, to distinguish, to discriminate.

You’ve made them not the same. You’ve made the differences an issue.

The differences do not warrant/call for different treatment. The church should know better.

Become judges with evil thoughts

Judgement is not the problem (John 7:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:14).

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Evil thoughts are.

Evil thoughts - you’re thinking/reasoning is bad/wrong. Why?

It’s not in tune with/it is not motivate by or guided by your faith (v. 1).

II. What are you thinking? (vv. 5-7)

They need to...

Reconsider who they are dishonoring (vv. 5-6a).

Reconsider who they are honoring (vv. 6b-7).

II. A. Reconsider who you are dishonoring (vv. 5-6a).

Those who God often honors (v. 5).

They are chosen.

Not only the poor, not all of the poor…including the poor.

Not because they are poor…no reason for choosing given, mystery.

This is divine election (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14).

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 ESV

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For what? To be...

Rich in a different way, to posses something different and better, to have something truly valuable - faith.

Heirs of something different, inheritors/benefactors of something better than and beyond this world, something eternal - the kingdom of God, everlasting life with God in heaven.

This is salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

This is salvation from the doom of sin unto eternal life with God in His kingdom.

Being poor doesn’t qualify them for or disqualify them from God’s treatment.

No greater honoring than this (Luke 6:20).

Luke 6:20 ESV

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

So, you are dishonoring those who God honors (v. 6a).

II. B. Reconsider who you are honoring (vv. 6b-7).

Those who often mistreat you (v. 6b).

James is saying that if you are being oppressed - attacked, exploited, mistreated, hurtfully controlled...

It is likely, that the ones doing that are the very kind of people you tend to honor - the rich and powerful.

This is not always the case, but wealth and power have a way of corrupting people.

This is the reason for the warnings in scripture to believers about this (1:9-11, 5:1-6).

Those who often dishonor God (v. 7).

Who’s name? Verse 1

These same people are probably not God fearing people.

We should honor all people with respect, but we should not honor all people with admiration.

We often admire people (that is, in some ways would like to be like them) who are not at all the kind of people we should really want to be like. They are not Godly, Christlike, righteous, holy, etc.

This brings it back to being guided by our faith. Verse 1

Application: How do you personally treat others? And why?

Generally - be guided by your faith; as faith grows, its guidance will grow

Specifically - treat others as you have been treated by God, and our understanding of this should also grow (Romans 15:7)

Romans 15:7 ESV

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.