James 2:1-13, The Sin of Partiality

Introduction.

1. In the first century, A.D., polarized conditions governed society; people were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or barbarian.

2. However, part of the good news of the gospel was that in Christ Jesus social barriers lost much of their strength...

a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28

b. Again, in writing to the Colossians: “where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” - Colossians 3:11

3. But it took a while for this truth to sink into the hearts of those who were Christians; even the apostle Peter had to be told this truth through a vision and then a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:34-35

4. From the second chapter of the epistle of James, it is apparent that showing partiality was still being practiced and its sinfulness needed to be pointed out.

5. Because the sin of partiality is still prevalent in some forms today, let’s examine James 2:1-13 and consider what James has to say on this subject.

I. THE SIN OF PARTIALITY.

A. As shown in James’ day.

1. We know from other scriptures that Jewish Christians often showed partiality in regards to the Gentiles.

2. But in this epistle, the problem was one of showing partiality between the rich and poor - James 2:2-4

B. Today, we can also be guilty of partiality.

1. By showing partiality between rich and poor.

a. For example, giving preferential treatment to visitors at our assemblies based upon their apparel.

b. Or showing hospitality towards our rich friends, while ignoring those who are poor and sometimes, it is the poor who despise the rich.

2. By showing partiality between people of different races and again, this can easily go both ways.

3. Even by showing partiality between friends and visitors to our services.

II. WHY CHRISTIANS CAN’T SHOW PARTIALITY.

A. Jesus Christ is a glorious lord.

1. It is possible that this point was being implied by James in using his appellation of Jesus to introduce the subject.

2. What does our partiality have to do with the Lord of glory?

a. As Christians, we profess to be Christ’s disciples, or followers, whose goal is to imitate Him - Luke 6:40

b. As such, our actions are likely to be considered by others as a reflection of what Christ teaches.

c. If we show partiality as Christians, we leave the impression that Jesus Himself is partial, prejudiced, biased, racist.

3. Therefore, if we are not careful, the glory of the Lord can be tainted by our partiality!

B. We become judges with evil thoughts.

1. God has always hated unjust judges.

2. Jesus Himself warned about:

a. The dangers of judging - Matthew 7:1

b. The need to make righteous judgment - John 7:24

3. If we judge against the poor due to our prejudice against them, we will find ourselves fighting against God! - Psalms 109:31

C. We despise those God has honored.

1. Both then and today God has chosen to honor the poor.

a. The gospel was proclaimed to the poor - Luke 7:22

b. The majority of those who responded were from among the poor - 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

2. Both then and today God has chosen to honor all men - Acts 10:34-35

3. Therefore, when we show partiality because of a person’s race or because they are a stranger we do not know then we despise those whom God has honored by His offering to them salvation through the gospel!

3. Do we want to face God on the Day of Judgment guilty of such a crime?

D. We honor those most capable and likely of oppressing us.

1. The rich were doing this to the Christians in James’ day.

2. Who are the ones most likely to oppress Christians today if it ever came down to “push and shove”?

a. Those who have the resources to do so.

b. And most likely that would be the “majority” and the “affluent”.

E. We break the royal law.

1. Which is “You shall love your neighbor as your self”.

2. This is one of the most fundamental laws that God has ever given!

a. As proclaimed by Christ - Matthew 22:36-40

b. As taught by Paul - Romans 13:8-10

3. And, as emphasized by James, by breaking one law, we become guilty of all the Law!

a. To show partiality is to make one as guilty as if they committed adultery or murder!

b. This illustrates just how terrible any sin is!

F. We will one day be judged by the law of liberty.

1. This refers to the law of Christ, or the gospel.

a. A law that sets us free from the bondage of sin - John 8:31-36

b. And a law that sets us free from man-made restrictions - Colossians 2:20-22

2. But if we:

a. Apply man-made restrictions upon others (like showing partiality).

b. Do not show mercy toward others.

3. then no mercy will be shown toward us! - Matthew 6:14-15

Conclusion.

1. In view of all these things, we can understand why James would say:

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality - James 2:1

2. We can also better understand Peter’s reasoning why he had to accept the Gentiles:

If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? Acts 11:17

3. And we are more likely to heed the prayer and admonition of Paul:

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind [and] one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. - Romans 15:5-7

4. Brethren, we serve a glorious Lord, we serve to do things to His glory; may we never allow the sin of partiality, bias, prejudice, or racism to taint that wonderful glory in any way!

5. And a concluding word for the non-Christian: Notice that in our text James speaks of:

a) The terribleness of even one sin - James 2:10

b) The fact of judgment - James 2:12

6. Won’t you accept the mercy God offers to you in the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ?

a) Remember, God is not a partial judge - Romans 2:4-11

b) Why should He show mercy to you when you despise His mercy just as much as the vilest sinner?

c) Accept His mercy in obedience to the gospel today!

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James 2:1-13

Introduction.

1. In the first century, A.D., polarized conditions governed society; people were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or barbarian.

2. However, part of the good news of the gospel was that in Christ Jesus social barriers lost much of their strength...

a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28

b. Again, in writing to the Colossians: “where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” - Colossians 3:11

3. But it took a while for this truth to sink into the hearts of those who were Christians; even the apostle Peter had to be told this truth through a vision and then a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:34-35

4. From the second chapter of the epistle of James, it is apparent that showing partiality was still being practiced and its sinfulness needed to be pointed out.

5. Because the sin of partiality is still prevalent in some forms today, let’s examine James 2:1-13 and consider what James has to say on this subject.

Body.

I. THE SIN OF PARTIALITY.

A. As shown in James’ day.

1. We know from other scriptures that Jewish Christians often showed partiality in regards to the Gentiles.

2. But in this epistle, the problem was one of showing partiality between the rich and poor - James 2:2-4

B. Today, we can also be guilty of partiality.

1. By showing partiality between rich and poor.

a. For example, giving preferential treatment to visitors at our assemblies based upon their apparel.

b. Or showing hospitality towards our rich friends, while ignoring those who are poor and sometimes, it is the poor who despise the rich.

2. By showing partiality between people of different races and again, this can easily go both ways.

3. Even by showing partiality between friends and visitors to our services.

II. WHY CHRISTIANS CAN’T SHOW PARTIALITY.

A. Jesus Christ is a glorious lord.

1. It is possible that this point was being implied by James in using his appellation of Jesus to introduce the subject.

2. What does our partiality have to do with the Lord of glory?

a. As Christians, we profess to be Christ’s disciples, or followers, whose goal is to imitate Him - Luke 6:40

b. As such, our actions are likely to be considered by others as a reflection of what Christ teaches.

c. If we show partiality as Christians, we leave the impression that Jesus Himself is partial, prejudiced, biased, racist.

3. Therefore, if we are not careful, the glory of the Lord can be tainted by our partiality!

B. We become judges with evil thoughts.

1. God has always hated unjust judges.

2. Jesus Himself warned about:

a. The dangers of judging - Matthew 7:1

b. The need to make righteous judgment - John 7:24

3. If we judge against the poor due to our prejudice against them, we will find ourselves fighting against God! - Psalms 109:31

C. We despise those God has honored.

1. Both then and today God has chosen to honor the poor.

a. The gospel was proclaimed to the poor - Luke 7:22

b. The majority of those who responded were from among the poor - 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

2. Both then and today God has chosen to honor all men - Acts 10:34-35

3. Therefore, when we show partiality because of a person’s race or because they are a stranger we do not know then we despise those whom God has honored by His offering to them salvation through the gospel!

3. Do we want to face God on the Day of Judgment guilty of such a crime?

D. We honor those most capable and likely of oppressing us.

1. The rich were doing this to the Christians in James’ day.

2. Who are the ones most likely to oppress Christians today if it ever came down to “push and shove”?

a. Those who have the resources to do so.

b. And most likely that would be the “majority” and the “affluent”.

E. We break the royal law.

1. Which is “You shall love your neighbor as your self”.

2. This is one of the most fundamental laws that God has ever given!

a. As proclaimed by Christ - Matthew 22:36-40

b. As taught by Paul - Romans 13:8-10

3. And, as emphasized by James, by breaking one law, we become guilty of all the Law!

a. To show partiality is to make one as guilty as if they committed adultery or murder!

b. This illustrates just how terrible any sin is!

F. We will one day be judged by the law of liberty.

1. This refers to the law of Christ, or the gospel.

a. A law that sets us free from the bondage of sin - John 8:31-36

b. And a law that sets us free from man-made restrictions - Colossians 2:20-22

2. But if we:

a. Apply man-made restrictions upon others (like showing partiality).

b. Do not show mercy toward others.

3. then no mercy will be shown toward us! - Matthew 6:14-15

Conclusion.

1. In view of all these things, we can understand why James would say:

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality - James 2:1

2. We can also better understand Peter’s reasoning why he had to accept the Gentiles:

If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? Acts 11:17

3. And we are more likely to heed the prayer and admonition of Paul:

4. Brethren, we serve a glorious Lord, we serve to do things to His glory; may we never allow the sin of partiality, bias, prejudice, or racism to taint that wonderful glory in any way!

5. And a concluding word for the non-Christian: Notice that in our text James speaks of:

a) The terribleness of even one sin - James 2:10

b) The fact of judgment - James 2:12

6. Won’t you accept the mercy God offers to you in the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ?

a) Remember, God is not a partial judge - Romans 2:4-11

b) Why should He show mercy to you when you despise His mercy just as much as the vilest sinner?

c) Accept His mercy in obedience to the gospel today!