LESSON #4

Faith And Favoritism

James 2:1-13

Christianity makes all people equal! Gal. 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." In Christ there are no racial nor ethnic differences (Jew nor Greek), there are no social nor economic differences (bond or free) and there are no gender differences (male nor female). Christianity has always risen above prejudice. Christ encountered Nicodemus, a well-known Jewish man and the Samaritan woman at the well, an unnamed, adulterous non-Jew. He witnessed to both. He went home with Zachaeus, a rich tax collector, but didn't overlook a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. The New Testament tells us both about Philemon, a wealthy slave owner and Onesimus, a runaway slave, both of which were led to Christ by Paul. Our text for this lesson, addresses this issue within the local church. This must have been a problem during the early days of the church for James touched on this subject three times in his short epistle (1:9-11; 5:1-6). Apparently, things were so bad in Corinth that the rich would not even share their food at a fellowship meal with the poor! 1 Cor. 11:21 "For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry..."

 Throughout history the poor have responded more readily than the wealthy to the call of the gospel (see Acts 2:44-45; I Cor. 1:26-28; James 2:5). However, the Bible does not say "not any noble" but "not many". There are some notable exceptions (see Mt. 27:57-60; Acts 4:34-37; 8:27; 10:1; 13:7; 16:14; 17:4; 18:1-3.)

The Principle, 2:1

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."

These words are spoken lovingly - "My brethern" - but they are also spoken firmly. "If you hold faith in Christ, don't be partial!" In other words, faith and favoritism don't mix! "Don't claim to be a Christian, while at the same time acting partial." (Note: Verse 1 contains a clear statement of the deity of Christ. He is "the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." One of the attributes of Christ that identifies Christ as God is His impartiality. Just as God is not a respector of persons, see Acts 10:34; Romans 2;11, Jesus is no respector of persons, see Mt. 22:16) The church, the body of Christ, is to be like the head - without partiality. This is a clear commandment - Don't be partial!

The Illustration, 2:2-4.

These verses are an illustration or example of the principle given in verse 1. Two visitors show up for church. One is dressed expensively - his jewelry is costly ("gold ring"), his clothes are bright, radiant, gorgeous, magnificent (the meaning of the words "goodly" and "gay"). The other visitor is clearly "poor" and comes to the assembly in "vile" (filthy) clothes. The church pays special attention to the wealthy visitor while deliberately neglecting the poor visitor. Jews

placed clothes and synagogue seats in great value. Mark 12:38-39 "And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love ... the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts." Is it wrong to be rich? No. Is it wrong to have expensive rings and clothes? No. Is it wrong to be poor? No. It is wrong to be partial! Don't try to impress the rich. Don't avoid either the rich or the poor. Treat everybody the same. If you judge a person's heart by the cost or condition of his clothing you are being partial and are guilty of evil thoughts (motives), v. 4.

The Reasons, 2:5-11.

Partiality is wrong for the following reasons:

When you are partial against the poor, you go against the very ones whom God has chosen, v.5-6a. Partiality is inconsistent with God's grace. God loves the poor, see Psalm 69:33; 72:12-13. When Christ came to the earth He identified himself with the poor, see II Cor. 8:9. He borrowed a stable for birth; He borrowed loaves and fishes for a miracle; He borrowed a boat from which to preach and teach; He borrowed a coin to illustrate a truth; He borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem; He met with His disciples in a borrowed room; He died on a borrowed cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb. Christ cares for the poor - He was "anointed to preach to the poor" (Luke 4:18) see also Luke 14:13; Luke 18:33; Mt. 19:21. Those who are poor by the world's standards but who have a wealth of faith are made heirs of the kingdom. Yet, those to whom James writes are despising the very ones for whom Christ cares.

 When you are partial toward the rich, you pursue those very ones who oppress you, take you to court, and blaspheme the name of Christ, v. 6b-7. Often, the rich are both civilly and religiously hostile towards Christians, see Proverbs 14:31.  

When you are partial you break the whole law of God, vss. 8-11. Here, James refers to Leviticus 19:18 as the" royal law." Compare this verse with two other verses in the same chapter - Leviticus 19:15, 37. James is saying that if you break one law, you have broken the whole law. If you are a murderer but not an adulterer, you have still broken God's law which says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." The law of God is like a window - break one commandment and you have shattered the whole law. James' point is that partiality is a sin and breaking this commandment makes you a lawbreaker.

The Appeal, 2:12-13.

James appeals to his audience to speak (v. 12), to act (v. 12) and to have an attitude (v.13) as those who are facing a future judgment. We will be judged according to the law of liberty. How can anyone who shows no mercy to others expect to ever receive mercy? A Christian, a person who has experienced God's mercy for his sins should and will show mercy to the needy. In the end, mercy always triumphs (rejoiceth) over judgment.

The bottom line is that there is no place for partiality in the church!