Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today we are diving headfirst into the book of James. We're going to discuss a topic that we all wrestle with from time to time. That's right, we're talking about favoritism, and how it goes against the Golden Rule and God's judgement. It's a tough subject, but as Billy Graham once said, "God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." We cannot rightly give or receive when we're playing favorites, can we?

The Sin of Favoritism

The sin of favoritism is a sin that is often overlooked, as it can be subtly woven into the fabric of our everyday interactions and decisions. Favoritism, in essence, is the act of giving preferential treatment to one person over another based on superficial qualities such as wealth, appearance, or social status. This act of discrimination is in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ, who consistently emphasized the equal worth of all individuals, regardless of their worldly status.

The book of James, from which our sermon text is taken, offers a clear and potent illustration of this sin. James describes a scenario in which a rich man, adorned in fine clothes and a gold ring, and a poor man, dressed in dirty clothes, enter a gathering of believers. The rich man is given a place of honor, while the poor man is relegated to a lesser position. This, James declares, is an act of discrimination and a clear example of favoritism.

The problem with favoritism is that it distorts our perception of others and leads us to make unjust judgments. It causes us to value people based on their external attributes rather than their inherent worth as children of God. This is not only unfair to the individuals who are being judged, but it also undermines the unity and equality that should characterize the body of Christ.

Moreover, favoritism is a direct violation of the 'royal law' mentioned in James 2:8, which commands us to "love your neighbor as yourself." This law is a cornerstone of Christian ethics and is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Himself. When we show favoritism, we are essentially failing to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are placing our own selfish interests and prejudices above the command to love unconditionally and impartially.

Furthermore, James warns that favoritism is not a minor or insignificant sin. He states that whoever breaks even one law is guilty of breaking all of it. This means that favoritism, like any other sin, separates us from God and makes us lawbreakers. It's a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views all sin, including the sin of favoritism.

James also points out the irony and hypocrisy of favoring the rich over the poor. He reminds his readers that it is often the rich who oppress them and drag them into court. By favoring the rich, believers were essentially siding with their oppressors. This is a stark reminder that favoritism can lead us to act against our own best interests and the interests of our community.

Lastly, James emphasizes that favoritism is incompatible with mercy, which is a key attribute of God's character and a crucial aspect of Christian living. He states that "judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." This suggests that if we want to receive mercy from God, we must also be willing to show mercy to others, regardless of their social status or outward appearance.

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule, as we know it, is a principle that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO