JAMESFaith Applied

Don't Show Favoritism in the ChurchJames 2: 1 – 13

Abandon all rank,you who enter here

Truth One:

Showing favoritism is inconsistent with faith in Jesus Christ

1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting

wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

(James 2: 1 – 4)

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?

(James 2: 1 – 4)

So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is

right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance

with the truth.(Luke 20: 21)

For God does not show favoritism.(Romans 2: 11)

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since

you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there

is no favoritism with him.(Ephesians 6: 9)

Truth Two:

Showing favoritism is inconsistent with God's choosings

5 Listen, my dear brothers: 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 insulted 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 slandering the noble name of him to whom

you belong?(James 2: 5 – 7)

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by

human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God

chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised

things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may

boast before him.(1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 31)

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us

wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."(1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 31)

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is

kind to the needy.(Proverbs 14: 21)

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever

is kind to the needy honors God.(Proverbs 14: 31)

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to

give than to receive.”(Acts 20: 35)

Truth Three:

Showing favoritism makes us sinners

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.(James 2: 8 – 11)

11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a

lawbreaker.(James 2: 8 – 11)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so

you must love one another.(John 13: 34)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a

resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can

fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move

mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and

surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3)

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the

greatest of these is love.(1 Corinthians 13: 13)

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

(1 John 3: 4)

Truth Four:

Showing favoritism leaves us unprepared for the Judgment

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 2: 12 – 13)

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out

and not be answered.(Proverbs 21: 13)

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not

forgive your sins.(Matthew 6: 15)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

(Matthew 5: 7)

The cost of pride and self-righteousness is

too high too pay!!