James 2:1–13 1My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him? 6But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
12So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
I. Five things wrong with showing partiality and favoritism. (4–7)
A. Showing partiality is a reflection on your faith. (1)
B. Showing partiality sets us up as the judge of men. (4)
C. Showing partiality reveals our evil thoughts. (4)
D. Showing partiality discriminates.
E. Showing partiality shows foolish behavior. (6b–7)
II. The three warnings against partiality. (8–11)
A. Showing partiality is sin. (8–9)
B. Showing partiality makes one guilty against the whole law of God. (10)
C. Showing partiality sets you up above God. (11).
III. Motivations against showing partiality. (12–13)
A. We face the Judgment of God. (12).
B. We face God’s Judgment based on our Judgment. (13)
Matthew 7:1-5 [Jesus said] “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Application:
1. Do not judge people by color.
2. Do not judge people by looks.
3. Do not judge people by status.
4. Only discern where people are so you know how to best reach out to them.
