James gives us very practical principles for a "faith that works." A "faith that works" shows up in how we treat people. Surveys have shown the number one reason visitors return to a church is they feel welcome. Every church thinks it is friendly, just because its members are friendly to their friends. However, being friendly to the same people at church every Sunday forms a clique. Few churches are really friendly. This passage from God's Word explains the foolishness of favoritism, or the craziness of partiality.

1. Favoritism is snobbish, arrogant - James 2:1-4
James writes: My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons (James 2:1). See, favoritism is acting like a snob. Pastor, what is a snob? A snob can be someone who wants to associate with people of wealth or social position and has contempt for those he thinks or considers his inferiors. James illustrates snobbery by telling the hypothetical story of two strangers arriving at church at the same time.

One of them is a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel; he has expensive jewelry and a newly-pressed $1,000 suit. James is not criticizing this person for being wealthy or dressing up; he is pointing out the snobbery. The second guy is a poor man in despicable raiment (James 2:2). His clothes are vile, which means dirty and cheap. But, when people come to our services, we should look at them as God does. How is this, according to the last sentence in (1 Samuel 16:7)? "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

James says that the usher shows respect to the man in the nice clothes and says, Sit you here in a good place (James 2:3a). In other words, he brings him to a choice seat at the front of the church, but to the poor man he says, Stand you there, or sit here under my footstool (James 2:3b), inferring he should stand over in the corner or sit on the floor where no one could see him. God's Word evaluates this behavior with this question: Are you not then partial in yourselves (James 2:4) meaning they're judging people based on economic status. The wealthy man might be a drug dealer or pimp. As Christians, we must never forget what truth in (Galatians 3:28)? "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."

By judging people based on social class, we become judges of evil thoughts (James 2:4b). If a judge in a court of law were to make his decision based on how people dressed rather than the facts of the case, everyone would agree such a judge was evil and his decision a disgusting miscarriage of justice. It's no less evil for us as believers to base our treatment of some people on such superficial things as dress, economic status, sex, education or race. James first tells us favoritism is snobbish and...

2. Favoritism is silly, ridiculous - James 2:5-7
In case James hasn't convinced us of the folly of favoritism, he writes: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him? But you have despised the poor (James 2:5-6a). This doesn't mean God is partial toward the poor. How does (Romans 2:11) verify this? "For there is no partiality with God."

However, the poor are generally more open to Christ and the Gospel. Usually the more a person has; whether it is money, education, or status; the more self-sufficient that person feels and the more difficult to see his or her need for Christ. It was true in Jesus' time, and it's still true today. Even in our country, often the more prosperous we become, the more we drift away from God.

To further show how irrational favoritism is, James asks three penetrating questions:

Question #1: Do not rich men oppress you? (James 2:6). See, in James' day many of the rich and powerful were Sadducees, who were persecuting the church (Acts 4:1-4; 5:17-18). Unless believers were careful, they could be giving special attention to their own persecutors.

Question #2: Don't they draw you before the judgment seats? (James 2:6c). In NT times it was common for a poor person needing a loan to borrow from a rich person at exorbitant interest rates, such as 50% APR or more. The lender would then show no mercy if the loan were not paid on time. They could legally take the man, his wife, and children to be sold as slaves and possibly separating them so they would never see each other again. The Jews did this even though God forbade charging interest to fellow Jews (Exodus 22:25). Yet what principle found in (Proverbs 14:31) were they violating? "He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy."

Question #3: Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which you are called? (James 2:7). This could also refer to the Sadducees who fiercely opposed Jesus while He was on earth and slandered and persecuted the early church. Like James' original readers, we too should be very careful not to give special attention to the persecutors of Christ. Favoritism is snobbish, favoritism is silly, and...

3. Favoritism is sinful - James 2:8-11
James continues: If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well (James 2:8). Favoritism is notoriously sinful because it breaks the royal law, the supreme law governing human relationships: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. How does (Galatians 5:14) describe the importance of this command? "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

James continues: But if you've respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors (James 2:9). See, showing favoritism to the influential and disdain for the poor is not just a lack of courtesy or poor manners, it breaks the second greatest commandment of all (Matthew 22:37-40). James emphasizes the seriousness of such behavior by writing: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law (James 2:10-11).

This means no matter which command we break, we are breaking God's law. The God who told us not to commit adultery or murder is the same God who gave us the royal law. We only believe as much of the Bible as we practice. If we fail to obey the second most important commandment in the Bible, what does that say about our real convictions concerning the rest of God's Word and our love for Jesus Christ? How does Jesus answer this question in (John 14:23a)? "Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;" Favoritism is snobbish, silly, sinful, and...

4. Favoritism is short - sighted - James 2:12-13
James concludes this discussion with a solemn warning about the short-sightedness of favoritism: So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (James 2:12). As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), but we will be judged by the law of liberty. While no true believer will be condemned (Romans 8:1), we will be judged.

How does (2 Corinthians 5:10) reveal this fact? "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

There are two judgments. One is the judgment seat of Christ at which all Christians will be judged, but not for salvation. The other is the great white throne judgment, where all lost people will be condemned and receive their degree of eternal punishment (Revelation 20:11-15).

The judgment seat of Christ will be a time of rewards for Christians, but it will also be a time of solemn rebukes. The works of some Christians will be like gold, silver, and also precious stones, but others will be like wood, hay, and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:12). All our lives will be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try our work to see of what sort it is (1 Corinthians 3:13). What will happen to all of your bogus works, represented by wood, hay, and stubble, according to (1 Corinthians 3:15)? "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire."

Some people will get into heaven by the skin of their teeth, like a person fleeing his burning home to watch the accumulated possessions of a lifetime turn to ashes. Jesus warned us about a bogus faith that does righteous acts, such as going to church, being baptized, etc. just to be seen by others. What did He say would be the result in (Matthew 6:1b)? "Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."

James concludes: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shows no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment (James 2:13). A deeper evil is revealed in this verse: favoritism is evidence of an unmerciful heart. At the judgment seat of Christ we will be judged by how we judge others (Matthew 7:1). If we are merciful and do not show favoritism, what does Jesus promise us in (Matthew 5:7)? "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

The book of James is a "journey into faith that works" because it cuts through all the sham and snobbery, going beyond beliefs to what is really important - behavior. In this lesson we have seen the folly of favoritism, bias because favoritism is snobbish, silly, sinful, and short-sighted. What can you do to avoid favoritism and better obey the royal law, beginning today?