"When Justice Isn't Blind!"
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The SYMBOL of the American Judicial System is a woman holding a set of scales with which to weigh the evidence presented by those who come before her for JUSTICE!
One very important characteristic of “Lady Justice” is the fact that she is BLINDFOLDED!
She is NOT blind to the EVIDENCE or the CASE PRESENTED, but to the PERSONS who come before her!
She is to regard ALL without PREFERENCE or PREJUDICE!
This is also GOD’S DESIGN!
I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien.
Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.
It there ever was a place without PREJUDICE or PARTIALITY, it must be the Church of Christ!
Because we are ALL saved by GRACE, we of all people, should be the MOST GRACIOUS!
UNFORTUNATELY, that is NOT always the case. I have personally witnessed prejudice in the churches where I have served and it breaks my heart every time!
But this is certainly not new.
As James confronts social discrimination in his day, his focus is on the rich and the poor, but the PRINCIPLES he gives are much broader in their application!
Rick Warren suggests at least FIVE areas where believers are tempted to discriminate:
Appearance (remember the people’s choice of King Saul over God’s choice of David?)
Ancestry (race/ethnicity)
Age (this can go both ways)
Achievement (success in business does not always qualify someone to lead)
Affluence (a perversion of the golden rule: “He who has the gold, makes the rules!”)
James’ SIX reasons for REJECTING a discriminatory spirit are set forth in a clear and compelling manner! They CHALLENGE us to examine our hearts to see if a we are harboring prejudice!
(James 2:1-13)
I. FAVORITISM is INCOMPATIBLE with the CHRISTIAN FAITH – (2:1)
I. FAVORITISM is INCOMPATIBLE with the CHRISTIAN FAITH – (2:1)
“My brothers and sisters…”– This is a FAMILY concern!
(v.1b) – “…favoritism” lit. means ‘to receive, or lift a face.’ It portrays undue favoritism!
“Do not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.
For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.
For there is no favoritism with God.
II. FAVORITISM is INSENSITIVE to, and IGNORANT of the CHURCH’S CALLING – (2:2-4)
II. FAVORITISM is INSENSITIVE to, and IGNORANT of the CHURCH’S CALLING – (2:2-4)
If a JUDGE in a court of law were to allow himself to be affected by the clothing of the defendant, would he not be violating justice?
In the SAME WAY, if a person who walks into a church is accepted or rejected based on appearance—something is wrong!
And according to James, the issue is far deeper than just preferential treatment! Their actions reveal the hearts of the people in the congregation!
Instead of ACCEPTING people because of their FAITH in Jesus Christ, they were showing favoritism based on appearance and status!
(v.2) – “…wearing a gold ring” – lit., “gold ring”
According to (v.4) they did two things wrong:
1. Their ACTIONS– “…haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges…”
2. The MOTIVES– “…with evil thoughts?”
The “evil” was treating people different anticipating a favorable treatment in return!
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid.
On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind.
And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
III. FAVORITISM is INCONSIDERATE of GOD’S CHOICES! – (2:5-6a)
III. FAVORITISM is INCONSIDERATE of GOD’S CHOICES! – (2:5-6a)
By rejecting the “poor,”they were dishonoring the people God promised a special blessing!
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Then looking up at his disciples, he said: Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours.
When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ”
At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and he granted sight to many blind people.
He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,
and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.
Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something,
so that no one may boast in his presence.
It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption
—in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
DON’T MISUNDERSTAND, God does not love the poor MORE than He does the rich—it’s just that the poor have been more receptive to the Gospel’s message!
IV. FAVORITISM is INCONGRUOUS, Given the CONDUCT of the RICH – (2:6-7)
IV. FAVORITISM is INCONGRUOUS, Given the CONDUCT of the RICH – (2:6-7)
“Incongruous” is just a fancy way of saying, “That don’t make no sense!”
James continues his argument by reminding his friends that they are showing special treatment to the very class of people who are abusing them in the courts!
(v.7) – “…blaspheme the good name that was invoked over you?” – BAPTISM!
V. FAVORITISM is INDIFFERENT to the CHARACTER of the LAW! – (2:8-11)
V. FAVORITISM is INDIFFERENT to the CHARACTER of the LAW! – (2:8-11)
(vv.8-9)– Those who practice prejudice and discrimination are not just inconsiderate, they “…commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
(v.10) – The Law stands as a unified whole!
(v.11c) – Disobedience to ANY PART of God’s law makes one a “…lawbreaker.”
D.L. Moody compared God’s Law to a chain of ten links suspending a man over a precipice!
If all ten links breaks; he falls to his doom!
If only five links breaks; he falls to his doom!
If only ONE link breaks; he falls to his doom!
VI. FAVORITISM is IGNORANT of the FUTURE JUDGMENT! – (2:12-13)
VI. FAVORITISM is IGNORANT of the FUTURE JUDGMENT! – (2:12-13)
We are reminded that our judgment will be in three distinct areas:
1. Our WORDS – (v.12a) – “Speak…”
1. Our WORDS – (v.12a) – “Speak…”
2. Our ACTIONS – (v.12b) – “…and act”
2. Our ACTIONS – (v.12b) – “…and act”
3. Our ATTITUDES – (v.13a) – “…to one who has not shown mercy”
3. Our ATTITUDES – (v.13a) – “…to one who has not shown mercy”
(v.12b) – …by the law of freedom.” – AGAIN, we are reminded that God’s law is not designed to simply constrain or restrain our sin nature. But to set us free from that nature!
(v.13b) – “…Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
May we commit ourselves to obedience to Jesus’ words: (Matthew 5:7; 6:14-15; 7:1-2)