Holding The Faith Without Partiality – James 2:1-7

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on May 2, 2012 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group; May 2, 2012

James 2:1-7

Theme: We are to cease practicing the faith in Jesus Christ with a spirit of worldly favoritism.

Many of our problems in living the Christian life stem from a failure to maintain a heavenly perspective while on earth. Such a perspective is one that recognizes that though we live on earth—where we work, maintain our lives, deal with every-day problems, and interact with the challenge of human relationships—we always do as full citizens of heaven (see Philippians 3:20-21). As citizens of heaven, we are to live on earth with a consistently “heaven-ward” point of view. Jesus is to be our chief devotion. Fellowship with Him is to characterize every-day matters of life. We are to deal with our problems through the resources of His grace. We are to live with the expectation and joyful hope of future glory. We are to have our feet on earth but our eyes fixed on our heavenly homeland.

One of the areas in which we fail to keep a proper ‘heavenly’ perspective is in the way we look at other people. The Bible tells us that while man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). But so often, we who have been transformed by that message continue to judge people on the basis of earthly—instead of heavenly—criteria. In Paul’s day, many even did this toward him (2 Corinthians 10:10); and yet he insisted that we are to cease judging people on the basis of the flesh but on the basis of God’s grace toward them (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)—a grace that makes us all equals in the sight of God (Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:28).

If we profess to follow Jesus, then we must adopt a heavenly perspective with regard to other people, and value them in terms of what God sees—not in terms of worldly values. Pastor James wrote to encourage the people under his care to cease practicing the faith in Jesus Christ with a spirit of worldly favoritism with respect to others.

I. WE ARE NOT TO HOLD OUR FAITH IN CHRIST WITH AN ATTITUDE OF PARTIALITY (v. 1).

A. James writes, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” “Partiality” comes from the Greek word which comes from a Hebrew idiom which meant “to lift up the face on a person”. Figuratively, it means to be favorable to someone; and it eventually came to refer to the practice of being partial to someone. The Bible stresses to us that God Himself does not show partiality to anyone (see Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25).

B. James shows how wrong this is by pointing out that it is a “faith” in the only One who is truly “Lord of glory”. When we look at Jesus as He truly is—and when we consider how much He humbled Himself on our behalf (see Philippians 2:5-11)—how can we dare to live in the context of faith in Him while continuing to view one another from the perspective of worldly values?

C. James himself set the example in this. He is the esteemed half-brother of the Lord Jesus; and the honored pastor of the church of Jerusalem. But he refers to those who whom he writes as “my brethren”.

II. SUCH PARTIALITY IS INCONSISTENT WITH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (vv. 2-7).

A. For one thing, such partiality makes distinctions that can only be based on evil values. In verses 2-4, James writes, “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” Note that it is not Christ that makes the evaluation, but—as James says—“you”. As far as Jesus is concerned, there is no distinction based on such outward matters. And note that in making such distinctions, James says that his readers had become “judges with evil thoughts”. It may have been that they wanted to look good, or to have a big donor in their church. In the cultural climate that we live in today, it may even be that—in some places— the situation is reversed; and someone is treated with contempt if they are perceived to be wealthy and successful. But the point is that we are operating from sinful motives whenever we neglect someone Jesus loves in preference for outward standards.

B. For another thing, such partiality doesn’t take into account the grace of God’s unmerited calling. In verses 5-6a, James goes on to write, “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and hears of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man.” Ted Turner was once heard to say that “Christianity is a religion for losers”; and though we may recoil somewhat at such a malicious comment, there is a sense in which—from the world’s point of view—he was right. God did choose the foolish and weak things of this world in order to shame the ones this world considers wise and powerful (see 1 Corinthians 1:26- 31). How terribly wrong it is, then, to dishonor the one that Jesus has honored!

C. Finally, such partiality tends toward giving honor to those who dishonor God. As James goes on to write, in verses 6b-7, “Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you were called?” We need to handle this carefully. James is not saying here that it’s inherently evil to be rich. The rich that he is speaking of here were obviously very sinful and wicked, as is shown by his description of them in 5:1-6. Rather, James is saying that we demonstrate that we have adopted the world’s wicked set of values when we choose to honor those who dishonor Christ!

* * * * * * * * * *

How differently we would evaluate people if we could only see one another for a split second in terms of our ultimate calling as we will be in glory!—as those who will one day judge the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3); and who will be given an imperishable inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). We would never again judge one another on the basis of earthly riches, or ever again look down our noses who have little of this world’s goods. Instead, we will glorify God who showered such grace on those He has called.

May we learn to reverence God and His amazing grace by learning to see one another as He sees us!