Are You A Christian Snob Series

The first guest identified as “a man with gold rings” is literally “gold fingered” or having many gold rings. By the abundance and prominence of his jewelry and “his fine apparel” it is evident that he is dressed to be seen and noticed.

The second man is identified as a “poor man in filthy raiment.” “Filthy” as it is used here need not be understood in the sense of a homeless person might be but as a man dressed in work clothes soiled and stained from work. Although it is hard to see in the modern English translations the “you” in verse three is plural as was denoted by the use of the plural “ye” in the King James Version. This use of the plural suggests that what was happening here was a general attitude of the whole group. There is nothing wrong with extending a warm welcome to the rich visitor. The sin was in treating the poor visitor differently. There is a distinction in the way that the two visitors are received, the rich man is received cordially and the poor man is received carelessly if not crudely.

Although the characters in this story exist only as an illustration, scenes like this no doubt took place every day. A modern version of this story “… actually did happen one Sunday in the Bel Aire Presbyterian Church: When in attendance, then Governor Ronald Reagan and Nancy usually sat in the same seats just off the center about two-thirds of the way into the sanctuary. On this particular morning the governor and his wife were late and by the time they got there, two college students had occupied those seats. An usher came down the aisle and asked the students if they would take different seats off to the side. They moved, and Ron and Nancy Reagan were brought in and seated. To his credit the pastor got up from his place on the platform, walked down and over to the college students and said, ‘As long as I am pastor of this church, that will never happen again.” [As quoted in David Jeremiah. Turning Toward Integrity.(Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1993). p. 64.]

In verse four we find the Lord’s

appraisal of this situation, “have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

James’ question to those showing favoritism is rhetorical and anticipates an affirmative answer. “Have you not shown distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” 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? Just so, for a Christian to accept or reject someone on the basis of his outward appearance is no less wrong.

Not Only is there Is A Problem to Remedy …

Third, There is A Perspective to Adopt

(2:5-11)

Beginning in verse five, James invites believers to adopt a new perspective. He does so by presenting three reasons why favoritism is wrong.

First, he says it is wrong because it is inconsistent with God’s method’s. (v. 5) “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”