James: Hands-On Christianity….
James: Hands-On Christianity….
James 2:1-13James 2:1-13
No one can determine the
heart of another from the
outside. That’s why James
says in James 2:1-13,
that “prejudice” and
“partiality” are wrong!
James presents his case
against “prejudice” in a tightly constructed passage.
James presents his case
against “prejudice” in a tightly constructed passage.
First, James
introduces
a principlein verse 1.
“My brothers and sisters,
believers in our glorious
Lord Jesus Christ
must not show
favoritism.” [TNIV]
“My brothers and sisters,
believers in our glorious
Lord Jesus Christ
must not show
favoritism.” [TNIV]
James 2:1….James 2:1….
James’ point is that
faith in Christ and
“partiality” are incompatible.
The word “favoritism”used here comes from
2 words in the Greek which,
when put together means
“to receive by face.”
It’s the idea of judging others
solely on external face
values,such as clothes,
cars, or skin color.
It’s the idea of judging others
solely on external face
values,such as clothes,
cars, or skin color.
The Heavenly Father is nota respecter of persons.
The Heavenly Father is nota respecter of persons.
He judges the
heart,not outward
appearance.
Following the statement
of his principle –James flashes out the issue
with a vivid illustration.
“Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
anda poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in.”
[TNIV]
“Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
anda poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in.”
[TNIV]
James 2:2….James 2:2….
“If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here's a good seat for you,’ but say to the one who is poor, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit
on the floor by my feet.’ ” [TNIV]
“If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here's a good seat for you,’ but say to the one who is poor, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit
on the floor by my feet.’ ” [TNIV]
James 2:3….James 2:3….
“Have you not
discriminated among
yourselves and become
judges with
evil thoughts?” [TNIV]
“Have you not
discriminated among
yourselves and become
judges with
evil thoughts?” [TNIV]
James 2:4….James 2:4….
2 things are clarifiedin this verse.
2 things are clarifiedin this verse.
What Was Done:
The usher “discriminated.”
What Was Done:
The usher “discriminated.”
We’re Told Why It Was Done:
“Because of evil motives.”
We’re Told Why It Was Done:
“Because of evil motives.”
James presents
3 reasons why
“PREJUDICE is wrong”
Prejudice Is
Inconsistent With
God’s Method
Prejudice Is
Inconsistent With
God’s Method
“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?” [TNIV]
“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?” [TNIV]
James 2:5….James 2:5….
“The great characteristic of
God is His complete
impartiality.”
“James is not shutting the door on the rich – far from
that. He is saying that the gospel of Christ is
specially dear to the poor ….
goes on to explain….
…. and that in it there is a
welcome for the man who
has none to welcome him,
and that through it there is a
value set on the man whom
the world regards as
valueless.”
From God’s perspective,the real issue is the
condition of one’s soul.
God bases His
choices on the heart,not the wallet.
Prejudice Ignores
The Universality
Of Sin
Prejudice Ignores
The Universality
Of Sin
“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?” [TNIV]
“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?” [TNIV]
James 2:6-7….James 2:6-7….
Prejudice Is Sinful
Because It Is
Inconsistent
With The Scripture.
Prejudice Is Sinful
Because It Is
Inconsistent
With The Scripture.
“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.” [TNIV]
“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.” [TNIV]
James 2:8-9….James 2:8-9….
“… love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
[TNIV]
“… love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
[TNIV]
Leviticus 19:18….Leviticus 19:18….
“Anyone who sows
favoritism breaks the
supreme law of love for his
neighbor, the law that
comprehends all laws
governing one’s relationships
to one’s fellowmen.”
“Anyone who sows
favoritism breaks the
supreme law of love for his
neighbor, the law that
comprehends all laws
governing one’s relationships
to one’s fellowmen.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if all our relationships were guided by
the royal “Law of Love?”
Wouldn’t it be nice if all our relationships were guided by
the royal “Law of Love?”
But the fact is, we all have
certain built-in “prejudice”
that influence our reactions towards people.
“Prejudice” produce cliques,
gossip mongers, legalists, and
power-hungry groups in churches
who put enormous pressure
on others to conform
to their rules of behavior.
“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 ….
“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 ….
James 2:10-11….James 2:10-11….
…. said, ‘You shall not
murder.’ If you do not
commit adultery but do
commit murder, you have
become a lawbreaker.”[TNIV]
…. said, ‘You shall not
murder.’ If you do not
commit adultery but do
commit murder, you have
become a lawbreaker.”[TNIV]
James 2:10-11….James 2:10-11….
In verses 12-13 James brings
his thoughts on “prejudice” toa close with 3 basic principles
for us to apply.
“Speak and act
as those who are
going to be judged
by the law that
gives freedom.” [TNIV]
“Speak and act
as those who are
going to be judged
by the law that
gives freedom.” [TNIV]
James 2:12….James 2:12….
Allow God to CHANGE how
you think, speak, and act by
living according to His Word.
Allow God to CHANGE how
you think, speak, and act by
living according to His Word.
Before you respond to
someone, first think,
“How can I love this
person?”
Before you respond to
someone, first think,
“How can I love this
person?”
“Because judgment without
mercy will be shown to
anyone who has not been
merciful. Mercy triumphs over
judgment.”
[TNIV]
“Because judgment without
mercy will be shown to
anyone who has not been
merciful. Mercy triumphs over
judgment.”
[TNIV]
James 2:13….James 2:13….
How wouldyou respond?
If you suddenly discoveredthat your closest friend had a background like the woman atthe well or the apostle Paul?
How wouldyou respond?
If you suddenly discoveredthat your closest friend had a background like the woman atthe well or the apostle Paul?
Would it change your love? Would it change your love?