Christian Faith

Partiality

Chapter 1 concluded with an appeal for us to practice pure religion. Chapter 2 presents the two requirements of pure religion. This week we will look at the first one which is show no partiality. Cater to the poor and spiritually hungry rather than to the powerful. Live by the royal lawand experience the law that gives freedom.

Most of couldn’t imagine physically robbing other people of their possessions. Yet, many times we fail to consider that we are capable of stealing dignity and personhood. We can rob other people of their true designation as image-bearers, when we play favorites. James 2:1–9 illustrates the robbery of showing partiality. We counteract this by cultivating a Christlike empathy, allowing the prejudicial places in our hearts to be moved by compassion.

Let Us Pray!

James 2:1-13

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

God wants his people to demonstrate pure religion by overcoming the practice of partiality and by producing deeds of compassion.

I. TRANDCENDING PARTIALITY—vv. 1–13

A. Rebuke Partiality – vv 1-4

1. Sameness—v. 1. Not being a respecter of persons.

Jesus is center of faith – not people

2. Special—vv. 2–4. No special treatment should be given to anyone. All are same in God’s sight!

First – the church discriminated among themselves by creating divisions

Deuteronomy 1 forbid showing partiality – even with non-jews.

Galatians 3:27-28 Paul wrote - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Remember 1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Second – the church’s actions were evil. When we judge by outward appearances – James says we are led by evil thoughts –

If we are to be Christ like – we need to remember Deuteronomy 10:17 - For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Christ died for all – He is not partial we can neither show partiality.

B. Evil Results of Partiality – vv 5-7

1. Selection—vv. 5. The poor (rich in faith, were chosen to be the heirs of the kingdom.

Individual worth is not determined by clothing, jewelry, cars, homes or 401K’s. Worth is determined by how you use what God has given you for His glory and outreach.

2. Sacrilege—vv. 6–7. The rich despising the poor. The rich curse the name of Christ, which we are called.

James calls them out - they actually insult Jesus by treating the wealthy better than the poor

C. Living by God’s Law – vv 8-13

1. Obeying the Law —vv. 8–.

Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 22:37, 39 – And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

2. Violating the Royal Law - Condemnation—vv. 9-11

Fulfil the “royal law.” This means we practice Matthew 22:37, 39.

If not, we are sinning 10. If you insist on keeping the Old Testament law, yet break one part, you are guilty of breaking it all.

Thomas Lea described God’s law this way – it is not like bowling pins that get knocked down one at a time but a pane of glass – a break anywhere breaks the whole pane.

Commands—v. 11. Repeating some of the Ten Commandments. If break these, then a transgressor.

3. Fulfilling the Law of Liberty - Consecration—vv. 12–13. Judged by how we live.

a. Judged—v. 12. How we live, act and talk.

1 Peter 2:15 – 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

b. Judgment—v. 13. His judgment will be final.

How do we do with our relationship with Christ? Do we insult Him because we treat some better than others based on outward appearance or what they can give us?

How well do you do with Loving your neighbor as yourself?

How successful are you with putting to silence the ignorance of foolish people by living out God’s will in your life?