“No Favoritism” (James 2:1-13)

“No Favoritism” (James 2:1-13)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist Church/Sunday AM, July 5, 2015

James 2:1–13 (NIV)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”  you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”  also said, “You shall not murder.”  If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Main Idea: As those who have received undeserved grace, favoritism is not compatible with true Christian faith.

1.    Christians must not show favoritism (1-4).
a.    The imperative: Don’t show favoritism (1).
b.    The illustration: Favoring the rich over the poor by the consideration they receive in public worship gatherings (2-3).
c.    The implication: Our actions toward different classes of people reveal our hearts and show us to be inconsistent and prejudicial (4).
d.    Further illustrations: Prejudice/Favoritism based on any number of external indicators favored by the world:
i.    Race
ii.    Wealth
iii.    Fame/Popularity
iv.    Accomplishments
v.    Appearance – good looking
vi.    Educational Attainment
vii.    Types of Employment

2.    Favoritism is incompatible with the character of God’s grace (5-7).
a.    It is in God’s gracious nature to show kindness to the poor and oppressed (5).
b.    Showing favoritism to the rich is acting contrary to God’s grace (5).
c.    Showing favoritism to the rich is acting contrary to their own interests, who were being mistreated by the rich (6-7).

3.    Favoritism is out of harmony with the law of love (8-11).
a.    All of our obligations toward other people can be summed up in the command to love our neighbor as ourselves (v. 8; Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39)
"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Lev. 19:18, NIV)

"'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. (Lev. 19:15, NIV)

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:36-40, NIV)
b.    Breaking one aspect of the law of Christ, makes us a lawbreaker worthy of judgment (9-11)

4.    Favoritism is inconsistent with the mercy that we have been shown (12-13).
a.    Judgment comes to those who do not show mercy (12-13)
b.    Mercy comes to those who show mercy (13).
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  (Lk. 6:35-37, NIV)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt. 5:7, NIV)

Main Idea: As those who have received undeserved grace, favoritism is not compatible with true Christian faith.