Dr John Ng
14-08-2016
James 2:1-10
Favoritism Forbidden
2 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.
Favouritism: Funny how so many people say it isn't fair, but yet most of them are the 1st to display it and the 1st to deny it...
Favouritism is a double edged sword. Bad if you are the victim.
We are all bias. We all have biases/prejudices.
Favouritism is based on wealth. How we treat people. Based on what we see on the outside.
James 2:2 & 3
#1 Reveals who your true God is.
v1 believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.
Jesus did not show favouritism. He was rich but became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). True glory is in terms of what Jesus has done for us.
#2 Reveals our real mindset/true mindset.
v4 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people tells all.
#3 Reveals our evil
Favouritism is evil and sinful.
Reinforces exploitation, abuse and blasphemy.
v6 & 7 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?
#4 Reverses God's compassion for the poor.
v5 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?
Proverbs 21:13
If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.
The true poor have no one to turn to except God.
The poor has a special place in God's heart.
Poor matters to no one else but God.
Poor excluded from many privileges but God has chosen to inherit the Kingdom.
"I speak to everyone the same way, whether he the garbage man or the president of the university."
- Albert Einstein
Conclusion:
The key is Royal Law.
v8 “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
It is about Loving and Doing it right.
Who is your neighbour? Your neighbour is anyone who is in need. You could be one.
At the end of our lives we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by: I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.
In conclusion:
1) Recognise that we all have prejudices.
2) We must deal with our prejudices by caring for the poor.
3) Have a heart of God by loving all.
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