The Book of James: Treating People Right
James 2:1-13 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. (NIV)
James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. (NIV)
Common Ways We Judge People
- Appearance
- Background
- Age
- Success
- Wealth
James 2:2-4 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? (NIV)
THREE ISSUES WITH FAVORITISM
1. Favoritism Doesn’t Reflect the Heart of God.
James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. (NIV)
Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. (NIV)
2. Favoritism Distorts What Really Matters.
James 2:5 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? (NIV)
3. Favoritism Violates the Command to Love.
James 2:8 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (NIV)
James 2:9-10 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (NIV)
James 2:11 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. (NIV)
James 2:12 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. (NIV)
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."(NIV)
1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (NIV)
James 2:13 Mercy triumphs over judgment. (NIV)
HOW DO WE TREAT PEOPLE LIKE JESUS DOES?
1. Welcome People Without Conditions.
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you… (NIV)
2. Value People Above Yourself.
Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (NIV)
3. Speak Life into People.
1 Thessalonians 5:11a Therefore encourage one another and build each other up… (NIV)
Galatians 3:26-29 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (NIV)
John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)