James 2:1-13
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.
James' message, this faith lived out in the flesh, is supposed to carry throughout our entire lives. This faith should be lived out more than just on Sunday mornings when we are doing our religious things. It should be lived out more than just before meals when we bless the food. It should be lived out more than just in our prayer life, or devotional life, or church life. This faith in the flesh must be lived out each day, especially in how we interact with other people.
James has some incredibly challenging words to us in our culture. You may think we've surely grown past judging others based on their outward appearances, but I think we have regressed as a culture. Contorting so we can get the best angle for our selfies that make us look 10 pounds lighter, creating a personal brand and image on social media, making sure we wear the latest style of clothing are indisputable signs we have a long way to go.
This Sunday at OKC First Church we will be taking a new look at an old problem: favoritism. We will discover the hidden signs we may be struggling with showing favoritism, how a spirit of favoritism and judgmentalism can be combatted, and ways in which our faith empowers us to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and grace. I hope to see each of you online or in person this Sunday at 10:45 at OKC First Church as we learn "How To Treat People Right."
Pastor Lesly
