RELIGION THAT REALLY WORKS - Week 2
FREE OF FAVORITISM
JAMES 2:1-13
INTRODUCTION: Video Clip: Shrek 2 - Start: Ch.4-0:12:34 End:0:14:58 = 2:24
What is it that causes prejudice? Why do people show favoritism - treating some better than others? Maybe it’s fear. When others seem strange to us fear of their differences can lead to misunderstandings. Maybe it’s surprise. We tend to think of others like we do ourselves and when we are surprised to find that not everyone is as “normal” as we. Maybe it’s just good old pride. We think of our race, our economic and intellectual standing, our tastes, our looks and our mind set as the acceptable standard. Therefore when someone doesn’t meet our standard we form perceptions that make it hard for us to see through the outer trappings into the person within. And favoritism, prejudice, can happen to anyone in any place.
Mike Breaux, when he was the Sr. Pastor at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY, made this point in a dramatic fashion. On the day he was to preach on the very text we’re studying, from James 2, Mike dressed up as a destitute bag lady and entered the Church service just as it began. He was dressed in such a fashion that no one was able to recognize him. He had put on several layers of old, sweaty clothing including a dress, and then put on a straw hat that he pulled down over his face. He stumbled into the service carrying numerous bags, his odor was not pleasant and he sat down in the middle of the auditorium. Now, Southland is a great church but on that day no-one spoke to him as the bag lady. In fact, several cast disgusting glances his way, and some actually got up and moved several seats away from him. When it came time for the sermon there was an awkward silence because nobody knew where Mike was. But all of sudden the bag lady got up and walked toward the platform. When he got to the pulpit he slowly began to take off his garments revealing who he was. The congregation sat in uncomfortable silence. And then Mike said, "Would you please listen as I read James 2:1-4?" “My friends, you must never show favoritism, treating people differently according to their outward appearance. 2 For example, suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. 3If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, ‘Have this best seat here,’ but say to the poor man, ‘Stand over there, or sit in the back over here,’ 4then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.”
Now, I am told as he read that passage that the people really squirmed. But Mike was making the vivid point how even the best of people can be partial at times. How would you react? If someone came into our service shabbily dressed, would you snub them? Or- If a couple of another race sits beside you do you smile politely but secretly wish they had sat somewhere else? More importantly, how do you relate on a daily basis to people who are different than you? You see, the Bible makes it very clear that the Church is to be the one place where all class, racial and social barriers are to disappear. This should be a place where different races, genders, economic standing, even lifestyles are accepted. Jesus said in Jn. 13:35: "All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other."(NCV) He didn’t add, "As long as they are not poor, ugly, mentally challenged or racially different." The primary way that the Church is to be distinctive is not so much by what we believe but by how we behave towards others. So as we look at this passage let’s take an honest inventory of our own personal conduct and attitude. Being free of favoritism is one more way that God demonstrates religion that really works.
I. FAVORITISM DEFINED:
First, let’s make sure we understand what James is talking about when he says in vs:1, “You must never show favoritism, treating people differently according to their outward appearance.” The word favoritism comes from two Greek words literally mean "to receive by face." It’s the idea of judging others solely on externals, like clothes, cars or color. We might say it like this: “It’s not right to accept or reject others on face value alone.”
In vss:2-4 James gives an illustration of the kind of favoritism that was practiced in his day, in the Church. He says: “...suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes.” Some call this "the case of the near- sighted usher," because he could not see beyond the physical. Now, in our church we emphasize the fact that there is no dress code. We want you to be comfortable. In fact, one of our 5 “R’s” is “relaxed.” But you may know churches where being dressed up is expected and apparently in the time and church James is addressing the way a person was dressed really said something. So, this rich man was really "decked out." He’s immaculately groomed and looking good. He just reeks of money. The text literally describes him as "a gold fingered man." So he’d have diamond rings on his fingers, a gold bracelet, a Rolex Presidential watch and a cross pen with a University of Miami emblem on the top of it. (Something real classy.) But, right behind this GQ guy comes a poor man. Notice James doesn’t say he has no clothes or his clothes are filthy, but ragged. Maybe he’s wearing pants that are too short, his shirt is dirty, & he’s got a Casio watch with a worn leather band.
Well, these two people present the usher with a real dilemma. One’s in rings and the other’s in rags. They both arrive at the same time, the church service is about to begin and the place is packed. According to Matt. 23:6 there were "chief seats" in the synagogue, places of honor that the religious leaders loved to sit in. I suspect these seats were toward the front, right on the aisle so they could make a grand entrance. But James says. “Look, if you put the rich man in a place of honor but tell the poor man to sit on the floor in the back, your thoughts are evil and your motives are less than pure.”
Now, what could make a person act in such a way? Why would someone in the church show such obvious discriminatory treatment? Maybe he was thinking, "Boy, if I can cater to this wealthy man maybe he’ll befriend me and invite me out on his yacht or something." Or maybe he wasn’t having selfish thoughts but he reasoned, "You know our Church could use some money. We really need a building of our own. Maybe, if we treat him right we could convince him to donate some land or at least give a big down payment. I know I shouldn’t show favoritism but you’ve got to be practical and this guy could help in a big way." Maybe he also rationalizes that the poor man would be embarrassed if he were seated up front, he’d be more comfortable in the back.
But can’t you see this usher just doting all over this rich man? "Sir, I’ve got a seat for you where you’ll have a clear view. The preacher’s good looking, the message is always great, (he’s a very honest usher..) so sit up front and just know how glad we are that you’re here. And comfort is our middle name, so are you right handed or left handed? Right handed? Good we’ll put you on the left aisle so that you’ll be unencumbered.".... And he’s thinking, "Yea, so your right hand will be free and moving, especially when the offering basket is passed." And the usher treats this guest like a king and that’s not bad, in fact something you want, as long as everyone is treated like royalty. But he was not equal in his treatment and that’s what was wrong. And apparently that was a problem in the churches he was writing to and that’s why James condemns them in vs:4- "...you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and making judgments based on evil motives."
II. FAVORITISM CONDEMNED:
Now, as you read the next few verses you can see why favoritism is condemned. First, it’s condemned because favoritism is inconsistent with God’s method of loving others. Vs:5: "God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith..” The Scripture makes it clear that God does not cater to the rich or to the poor. His concern is not for our possessions or the color of our skin or our social standing but with our character. For example: Prov. 22:2, "The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord made them both." In reference to race in Acts 10:34 it reads, "God does not show favoritism."(NIV) and Rom. 2:11- "God treats everyone the same." (LB) So, from God’s perspective the real issue is not poverty, wealth, race or status but the condition of the heart. Jesus didn’t show favoritism when he lived here. He had some rich friends, friends of ordinary wealth and poor friends. Even Jesus’ enemies had to admit in Lk. 20:21- "Teacher we know you pay no attention to anyone’s status." So, when we show favoritism we go contrary to God’s method and Jesus’ example of how we are to love other people.
The second reason that favoritism is condemned is because it is contrary to the Royal Law. Look at vss:8: “You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, ‘Love others, as you love yourself.’” This was called the Royal law because it was so important. Gal. 5:14 says "For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself." (MSG) Wouldn’t it be great if all our relationships were guided by this royal law of love? The fact is, unfortunately, we all have certain built-in prejudices that color our reactions to people. Maybe you were brought up in the deep south and so you have some deep seeded racial prejudice. Maybe you were brought up in a conservative Christian home that taught that anyone divorced was not "as spiritual" as those only married once. Maybe because of certain factors in your life you have to admit to prejudices toward the emotionally ill, the mentally ill, the poor or those that belong to any different political, ethnic or religious background than you. These kinds of prejudices can lead to groups having their own unwritten royal law that states, "We’ll love you as long you don’t speak with an accent.. or if you dress a certain way..if you’ve got a certain level of education if.. if.."
Now, for some, James’ condemnation of prejudice seems a little harsh. We think, "Sure, our love may have a few problems, we may have a few subtle bias, but at least we’re not murderers!" Well, James anticipated that reaction, that’s why he wrote vs:10- “Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all.” You see, while it is true that some sins have more heinous consequences than others, it is not true that we’re any less guilty of breaking God’s law simply because we show prejudice instead of say, committing murder. The fact is that when we discriminate against another because of surface impressions then we are guilty of breaking a law of God, the “royal law.”
And then James concludes this section by giving us the final reason that favoritism is condemned and that is that it contains no mercy for others. Look, starting at vs:9. “But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. 10Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all 11For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder. 12Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. 13For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but the merciful will not fear God’s judgment.” James is telling us that anyone who wants God’s mercy, must offer the same kind of mercy to those we may perceive as different or inadequate.
And two things can happen when we do not show the kindness to others that we should. First, James says in vs:13, “Look, if you want God to be merciful to you, you must learn to be very merciful in overlooking the faults and even differences of others.” When you don’t show favorites, you show mercy and God is pleased. But the second thing that can happen is that horrible ramifications can come from not showing mercy to those who are different. We saw that at Columbine and it’s been seen at other times too.
In 1952 a probation officer in New York tried to find some organization that would adopt a 12-year-old boy. The child had a different religious background, so none of the major denominations would take him. Says Mr. Carro, "His case was reported to me because he had been a truant. I tried for a year to find an agency that would care for this needy boy. Neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish groups would take him because he came from a denomination they didn’t recognize. I could do nothing constructive for him." You know, if the principles of mercy had been shown in the Bronx back in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that 12-year- old, mixed-up lad. Providing him a chance might have changed history; for that boy’s name was Lee Harvey Oswald!
So, we are to be free of favoritism because it’s inconsistent with God’s method of loving, it’s contrary to God’s royal law and favoritism shows no mercy for others.
III. PRACTICING THE PRINCIPLES:
Now, this passage has all kinds of applications for how we live our daily lives with and around others. Let’s just talk about three. Certainly, it tells us that we are to be free of racial prejudice. Now, I think we do really well with this in our town and in our congregation. Maybe because we’re a military town and so many work among racial diversity, that it’s not a huge problem. And I’ve never seen anyone ignored or mistreated because of the color of their skin in this church, and that’s the way it must be. Now, I know it’s not that way everywhere. I was raised in the south, a place where racial prejudice is almost expected. I was fortunate in that my parents were raised in the north and I was always taught that the color of skin made no difference. We incorporated in our lives the church song: "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red & yellow, black & white, they are precious in His sight." And so we had people in our home and friends of all races. I couldn’t understand the hatred that spilled over just because someone was a different color. After all, I’m a colored person.. I’m white! That’s a color! And you know what? No matter what color you are on the outside, I guarantee if I asked a white, black, Asian, oriental person, or anyone up here and we all cut ourselves.. We’d all be the same color: Red! Blood red! We must get rid of all racial bias.
But, let’s be honest, it can come out so easily. A sophisticated white woman asked the new member of her church, who was black, "what is it you people prefer that we call you? Black? Negro? African American?" And the woman smiled sweetly and said, "I personally prefer that people call me Margaret." Isn’t that great? In the Church we don’t have to make a distinction between black, white, Asian, Oriental, Arabic - we’re just people bound together by the fact that we are all sinners and need the love of God.
Maybe an area that is a little more difficult is we are to be free of financial prejudice. The world often judges a persons worth by their financial status. Too many times people fall into the trap of looking at the financial condition of an individual to determine whether or not they are successful. Where do they live? What kind of car do they drive? Where do they work?
How are you doing in this area? If someone sat beside you and was shabbily dressed, or grossly overweight or their features were deformed, would you kind of keep them at arms distance? Or when you’re making out a list of the people that you want to invite to some get together, do you only invite people of your social economic level? Do you only think of the less fortunate at Christmas? What determines even whose funeral you attend? Wayne Smith says, "Where there’s a will, there’s a relative." The Church must be the one place where financial & class distinctions are wiped out. Have you ever thought of calling or emailing the church office and asking, “Is there anyone I could help who is in need?” Do you know anyone in your small group who might be in need? It’s one of the reasons the Leadership Team is starting a benevolence fund. Because there are needs. There are folks who aren’t as financially well off as others and emergencies can arise where financial aid is needed.
One other area that this passage touches on that I think is really important is that we need to be free of spiritual or denominational prejudice. I heard the story the other day of a woman who called several Churches to see if they would hold a funeral for her dog? Everybody just laughed at her request except the Baptist preacher who said, "Maam, we don’t really do that but I’d be interested in knowing why you want that done." She said, "Well, I just loved that dog and I want a funeral for him." "Well," the preacher said, "that’s nice but we just can’t." She then said, "I sure loved him, I’d be willing to give $10000 to any church who would hold the funeral." "Oh," said the preacher, “why didn’t you tell me your dog was a Baptist? Of course we’ll do it."
Over the years there have been a number of barriers that have separated believers and that is not what Jesus wanted. Some of us here have grown up in churches in which we felt that our traditions or our Biblical beliefs were the only right ones. We looked down on anyone who wasn’t a part of our group. That’s not what Jesus wanted. In fact, He prayed in John 17:20: “I’m praying for those who will believe in me... 21The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind...”(MSG) And one of my dreams for this new church is that it will always be a place where we teach the truth of the Bible.. -Things that are non-negotiable- like, God’s love, the Creation of the world by God, the Virgin Birth, the death of Jesus to pay for my sin, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, the manner in which we respond to God’s love, the ultimate return of Christ- but also be a place where we understand that there are other things that are considered negotiable, things that are matters of opinion where we can agree to disagree and not be guilty of legalism and prejudice. One of the things that can kill a church fast is when they major in minors & minor in majors.
I really believe that people are hungering for a place where the truth is spoken courageously and yet people are loved unconditionally! That’s what I want this church to be. That’s the kind of person I want to be. The thing that jumps out at me when I read a passage like this is how practical and how loving God is. Please realize that the reason that God wants you to treat others without favoritism is because he wants others to treat you without favoritism! And that just goes to show how much God cares for you.
The story is told of a little country church in England that one day was thrilled to have a surprise visit from the Duke of Wales. At communion time in that church people went to the front, knelt before the cross and took of the elements. When the Duke of Wales went up everyone held back in respect. But just the time he knelt down the front door opened and in came the town drunk. Raggedly dressed, smelly and unkempt the congregation was horrified to see this man head to the front and kneel by the Duke. An usher ran up and whispered to the disheveled man, “Get up! You can’t be here now, don’t you know who that is?” And just the moment he looked over and started to rise the Duke put his hand on his shoulder and said, “Stay... there are no Duke’s here for the ground is always level at the foot of the cross.”
SONG: The Ground is level at the foot of the cross.
(Song written by Greg Ferguson and Randy Pearce. Obtainable from Willow Creek Music)
{All Scripture is from the Holy Bible, Today’s English Version, unless otherwise noted.}
